Valentine’s Day can be celebrated in many ways, and the La Cala Lions Club did so with the Memory Tree and a charity market to raise funds to continue their altruistic work. “We organise this commemorative day for people who are no longer with us, so if you have lost a loved one, it is a way to remember them, but it is also part of our dementia and Alzheimer’s support club”, explained the president of the La Cala Lions Club, David Kay. 

“This is our Valentine’s Day ceremony. Many people are alone on that day because their partners have passed away, their families are no longer there, and we even remember our pets”, explained Sandy Tavendale, secretary of the club, who explained that “the Memory Tree is for people to write messages to their loved ones, hang them on the tree and then our Alzheimer’s Club turns them into a mosaic that we keep in our shop”.

“The Lions Club, together with the Mijas Foreigners’ Department, is organising this second fair dedicated to those who are no longer with us, either because they have passed away and remain in our memory, or because, due to illnesses such as Alzheimer’s, they no longer react as the people they once were. The aim is to raise awareness of this issue, to encourage society to show solidarity with these people, and to dedicate more resources to research”, said the Mijas councillor for Foreigners, Mario Bravo (PP).

Charity market

On Sunday, La Butibamba Park also hosted a charity market, where attendees could support the club by purchasing a wide variety of items. There was also an extensive display of international cuisine and various performances. In addition, some animal welfare associations set up their own stands and the Phoenix Singers performed.

 The club’s Diabetes and Dementia and Alzheimer’s support groups collaborated on the initiative. “We are here to raise money to help the community, which is what the Lions Club is all about. We also have the Memory Tree, where people can leave a message for a loved one who is no longer with us”, explained Caroline Zartsh Lloyd, from the Dementia and Alzheimer’s support group.

“We want to thank all the associations that take care of others and, today especially, the La Cala de Mijas Lions Club for the great work they do”, concluded the councillor for Foreigners.

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