One of the final Charitable Contributions for 2024 by Prince Henry the Navigator Lodge was to the ‘Bombeiros’ of São Brás de Alportel’ – towards the purchase of uniforms. We were assisted in the fundraising for this by additional donations from Portuguese Lodges Pitágoras and Sagres, Moto Maco Association (the Masonic Bikers group) and other private donations. The total amount raised was €2,500
The Station Commander of the Bombeiros advised that this donation will cover the purchase of a complete uniform for 10 of the students completing the first professional firefighter course that is being held in the Algarve.
He further asked if we could be present at the passing-out parade of those students at the end of April.
At that parade of the Class of 2025 the Worshipful Master, Quinton Green was accompanied by a number of Lodge members and their wives and presented the uniforms.
A lovely ceremony was held, with families of students also present. We met the Commandant, other senior Officers of São Brás fire station, and the president of the Camara who thanked us for the Lodge’s contribution to financing the new uniforms.
As per tradition, the new class of 2025 was hosed down in the street to make sure their new uniforms fitted correctly! These future heroes will for the first time officially wear a firefighter’s uniform, provided by us.
The photos below are from the day, and this link is to the ‘Bombeiros Voluntários São Brás’ own reporting of the event.