Holy Trinity Church Funchal has for some time supported a local charity, ‘The Association for the Protection of the Poor (APP) or Sopa Do Cardoso as it is also known by, by donating its Harvest Festival Collection every year together with the coins collected from various activities throughout the year. The APP was created in Madeira in 1889 and in 1931 Lieutenant Domingos Cardoso was invited to manage the organisation and it subsequently provided support, through the distribution of lunches, for those disadvantaged during World War II.
Before the current virus restrictions were imposed, Sopa Do Cardoso provided daily hot meals for those in need, and on my visits to their premises it seemed that in the main it was men taking advantage of their hospitality, most of whom appeared to be homeless.
Since the imposition of Covid restrictions however, Sopa Do Cardoso have been unable to serve hot meals, but instead provide parcels containing essential food supplies to between one hundred and fifty
and two hundred and fifty people every day. I noticed on my last visit that the recipients of
these parcels were not just men, but women and children who are obviously suffering during this difficult time.
I was so moved by the queues outside the Sopa Do Cardoso offices on a recent visit that I decided to personally support and promote their cause. Through announcements in church every Sunday, and by talking to friends and members of the congregation, we have managed to donate €1,500. The latest fund has already reached €400 and this too will be delivered to Sopa Do Cardoso shortly.
Visitors to the island of Madeira generally find the inhabitants here polite, friendly and
helpful. It is clear that with the islands dependency on tourism, a large number of people are suffering
economic hardship, which is why we want to show our support and help them in whatever
small way we can.
The other reason we support Sopa Do Cardoso is that when money is taken to their offices, it is handed over to the organisers of the charity and all donations are spent on the purpose for which they are intended without administrative deductions.
For further information about the association, please visit https://www.app-ipss.pt/, and if you would like to join with us to support this charity, please make a donation into either of the following church accounts:-
UK (Sterling Account)
Barclays Bank plc
Account name: Diocese in Europe Fund
Account number: 40317039
Sort code: 20-06-13
MUST INCLUDE: “HTC Madeira Appeal” in payment reference
Portugal (Euro Account)
Caixa Geral de Depositos
IBAN: PT50 0035 0336 00126921730 98
MUST INCLUDE: “HTC Madeira Appeal” in payment reference
If donors are UK Taxpayers and wish to Gift Aid their donation then please ask them to add “GA” after the payment reference details and then to:-
E-Mail: htcmadeiratreasuer@gmail.com and state that they wish their donation to be Gift Aided and provide their name and Postcode.
With my sincerest thanks. Fthr. Michael. Chaplain, Holy Trinity Church, Funchal.
