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Spain 2011
- £15,000 grant to fund a sports area at a children’s home
- A truck of baby and children’s clothes donated by fans
- A party at the main children’s home with pipers
- “My first Spain match”, a group of children from the home taken to the Spain vs. Scotland match
When the Spain fixture was announced we thought that we might struggle to find a children’s charity as desperate as those we’ve come across in Eastern or central Europe.
Unfortunately we were wrong, the children supported by EMAUS have the same heart-wrenching stories that we come across in less developed countries while the funding situation for the organisation is dire.
EMAUS run a group of 12 homes in the Alicante area supporting babies and children up to the age of 18. The children have either been removed from or abandoned by their parents for a variety of reasons ranging from poverty to abuse.
Government funding has been cut to the minimum to the extent that even basics such as nappies aren’t available without donations.
After months of discussions with EMAUS representative Tony we agreed to make a £15,000 grant towards the development of a sports area on a waste ground behind their main home. This project will meet TACC’s aims of adding some fun, recreation and sport into the lives of the children who deserve and need it the most. The pictures below are what it looks like now; we’re really looking forward to seeing the “after” photos.
As always we also funded a party to mark our visit on Monday 10th October, with several TACC supporters and of course the Caledonian Brewery Pipe Band. The pipers stole the show as usual by walking down the road to the home to the cheers of the children. The band’s mascot Monkey was also a big hit.
After a slap up lunch of paella we had a kick about with the children, letting them win of course……honest.
And in the evening some of the children were able to go to the Spain match, an priceless treat for them courtesy of TACC and the Stratford End Bar in Alicante.
Unfortunately we aren’t able to show any of the children in our photos as it could put them in danger.
Lastly we organised a truckload of bay and toddler clothes and toys donated by Scotland supporters.
After the trip we received this email from the Governess of EMAUS to TACC’s Ally Hunter who along with John Deans organised the Spain donation.
You can not imagine how much I regret that your team lost the match on Tuesday. I felt sorry for the affection I have for you in particular, and the organization that you represents and also for all the followers who have flown to Spain to see the match.
I also thought of the number of European’s O.n.g .that they do not know about you; that they will not have happiness with your charitable initiative, like the children of Emaus had.
In addition, all the Scottish people whom I interacted with - including the game-viewers- behaved like true gentlemen, without a bad gesture, or a cry, cheered up after the game without resentment, and allowed themselves to have a picture taken with the Spanish people, giving them their beautiful hats and colorful, full of pins from halfway around the world.
True gentlemen!
And, what should I say about the satisfaction of the children who watched the game? For them, it was all new, never been before in a stadium, their look in their eyes, his gestures, his admiration for the players who have only seen on TV.
I'm sure they'll never forget that day, which for them was full with magic!
And as for you, you are my friend of heart and forever.
You will never imagine my gratitude for everything you do for us. The photos from Monday can not reflect more happiness on the faces of our children; they talk and talk and never end about the football match that they play with you. I'm sure that the next day in the school, they didn´t spoke of something else.
And your postcard with the beautiful scenery of Scotland ... and a wonderful message that speaks of the good heart of the person who writes it!
I will carry it in my chest, and on the left side, where the heart is, that wonderful Celtic brooch, with that bright red highlights in it, like a drop of blood, blood of two brothers, Celtic ancestors in our two cultures, remembering that in Scotland lives a very, very good man, who heads an institution to help the most disadvantaged children, with a heart as big as he, looking clean and happy to help those who need it.
And me, who I am one of the lucky people who know you, I wish for you and yours: "Slainte agus huile beannachd mhor duit."
I am sending you a photo where Simon, the youngest child of the house, It's very funny, "Mr. Monkey", hanging from the tree, and the child giving the drum is almost bigger than him. You know you can not post the picture, unless you cover his face.
A big hug friend, my love, my sincere affection and admiration.
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