As many of you know, the southern Alicante province and Murcia were hit by the worst storm in about 140 years a few days ago, which caused the River Segura to burst its banks in several places, and many of our neighbouring towns and their residents (both human and animal) have suffered terrible consequences of the flooding.
On Saturday we helped to collect some bedding and food for one of the local dog shelters which had been flooded (La Finca Castellana), but it is obvious that there are still hundreds and thousands of people who still need assistance in places like Orihuela, Dolores, Almoradí etc etc. The Town Hall of San Miguel de Salinas (which luckily wasn´t as badly affected due to our elevated position) is helping out with supplies of food, water and clothing and many people and companies have volunteered their time and resources to assist in whatever way they can. A relief fund has been set up by the Diputación de Alicante in conjunction with the Red Cross and local relief agency CECOPAL.
Villas Fox normally sponsor our local carnival comparsa (group of friends who dress up and parade in the carnival each September during our local fiestas) the Tarambanas, but after discussing with comparsa leader Manola yesterday, we decided that a contribution to the relief fund for those affected by the floods would be more appropriate this year, and show that even though our town is continuing with its fiestas, we are in full solidarity with our less fortunate neighbours. We have therefore contributed 250 euros to the fund this morning, on behalf of the Tarambanas and Villas Fox.
It made me realise just how important such assistance is when the lady who served me in the bank told me that she is from Dolores and many of her friends and family have had to be evacuated from their homes by boat or helicopter taking with them only what they are wearing, and she told me how grateful she was for all the people that have helped out over the last few days, and became quite emotional. We realise that this is only a "granito de arena" (grain of sand) as the Spanish say, to mean a small contribution which together with many others might add up to something significant. ¡Animo Vega Baja y Murcia!!
If you would like to contribute, the various bank accounts and SMS numbers are listed below. ¡Muchas gracias a todos!!
