One of the most exciting projects that the Algarve and Portugal has ever seen is starting to take shape near Moncarapacho, in the central Algarve. It called The Centre Algarve and will soon be a dream holiday destination for children with special needs.

Andy Mahoney is the Managing Director of 24x7 Ltd, a company that transports daily a thousand people with special needs to and from schools and specialist centres throughout the East of England. Some years ago a parent told him how she would love to take her daughter abroad on holiday. Finding suitable facilities and access was a major problem. From that point it became Andy’s mission in life to find a property and equip it so that those with special needs and their carers could enjoy a foreign adventure.

In August 2010 ‘the dream’ turned to reality when the keys were finally handed over to a large rundown quinta that had been empty for the past six years. Digging deep into his pocket and with financial support from his company Andy established the ‘24x7 Special Needs Holiday Trust Charity‘. Andy Mahoney said, “I was amazed to find that there are no centres in Europe dedicated solely to providing holiday facilities for those with special needs. This is a non-profit making organisation; in fact we’ll have to raise considerable sums of money to bring the project to fruition.”

A dedicated band of volunteers are already making plans to ensure that Andy’s dream comes true. Lin Griffin (with the wheelbarrow), who is co-ordinating the Portugal end of the project said, “This will make an unbelievable difference to the children. Here they can spend some precious time with their loved ones. We will cater for their individual needs allowing them to enjoy their stay whilst learning about the local culture and utilising the fun and educational facilities that we plan to introduce”.

Andy Mahoney, whose dream the centre was, said, “The support of so many hard working volunteers means we should be able to have the facility up and running by the middle of 2011.  We are hoping to accommodate a dozen autistic children in spring  2010 and they will help us to plan the petting zoo and sensory gardens.”

The plans include eighteen bedrooms, lounge areas, swimming pool, educational centre, sensory garden, allotment and petting zoo including meerkats, ring tailed lemurs, alpacas, donkeys & tamarins to name but a few.

Centre Manager Tom Willis and his team of volunteers have been hard at work during the past few months. The overgrown grounds and derelict building are already beginning to receive some tender loving care.

27 year-old Sam Smith, who runs her own local gardening company has taken on responsibility for re-designing and returning the grounds to their former splendour. After clambering down from the top of a palm tree she said, “I’ve lived here for five years but when I heard about this project I came along to have a look and was immediately hooked by the enthusiasm and plans of Andy. I am more than happy to donate my free time to such a worthwhile venture”.

22 year-old Bronwyn Evans from Melbourne, Australia, who is travelling around Europe for six months, recently spent ten days at the Centre and plans to return before making her way back home. “I think what Andy and his team are doing is fantastic and I would recommend anyone who can spare some time should come here and be part of this exciting concept”.

Retired Dutch friends Eugene & Tony, who live locally, have volunteered to restore the derelict ‘nora’ (waterwheel & well).

17 year-old Iv Dimitrov from Bulgaria is spending a year helping to get the quinta up and running.

28 year-old Cary Tucker (Virginia, USA) and 20 year-old Andrea Fagnant (Vermont USA) are happy painting the remodelled bedrooms before returning across the pond.

Qualified electrician Colin Taylor, who lives in Lagos, takes the train to Moncarapacho every week and spends two days doing vital work. “We work as a team and everyone takes turns in cooking, washing-up and generally keeping the place tidy.

A number of local Portuguese are also actively involved,” said Tom Willis who has been most impressed by the quality and dedication of all the volunteers.

Andy Mahoney, who travels out from Stansted every weekend was busy stripping paint with a 6000€ pressure washer that had been donated by a local resident. “Just recently a local businessman dropped in and donated 4000€ worth of top quality paint”, said Andy. “We’ve already had thirty-three volunteers sign-up including some from Bulgaria, Germany, USA, Ireland and the UK. We will feed, water and accommodate anyone who gives us their time.

“This project is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when people come together with an enthusiastic determination to make something happen.”

If anyone reading this can give a little of their time, or knows someone else who can, then please contact Tom. It’s warmer down in the Algarve in the Winter time, so if it’s too cold and wet to work on your own project in central Portugal then why not take a break to the Algarve and help out this very worthy cause.

Tom Willis can be contacted on tel. (00351) 962 812 230 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For lots more information about the centre and the work going on there, visit www.centrealgarve.org