The devastating earthquake that struck the region of L'Aquila on

06/13/2009 - 04:58

The devastating earthquake that struck the region of L'Aquila on April 6th 2009 is long gone from newspaper headlines and television reports. However the impact on the community and region linger on and will do so for many months, if not years to come.

Thousands of people remain in "tendopoli", a tented community of 10,000 or more, made homeless by the earthquake. These people live day to day with little or no possessions in a climate that can swing from 30c+ one day (approaching 45c inside the tents), down to 10c or less, with driving rain and gale force winds. Much like a camping holiday in UK during the worst weather you can imagine, but without the option of going home.

Homeless animals are cared for by a small group of wonderful people who do this out of the goodness of their heart, but feeding and caring for 400 or more dogs is costly and they need financial help to carry on this fantastic work.

A group of ex-pats here from the Community continue to dedicate their time in raising funds to help the people and animals of Abruzzo and the latest fund raising drive is a barbeque to be held in Le Marche. It will be a great day out for many people and will be raising much needed funds with a variety of fun events.

So, how can you help, you must be asking yourselves? In the event that you are in Le Marche on the 28st, you would of course be more than welcome to go the barbeque. However, where you really can help is by making a small donation of £1.00 to the Abruzzo Earthquake Appeal, which will grant you a free ticket to a raffle being held on the day.

GET YOUR RAFFLE TICKETS BY DONATING HERE

The prizes are AMAZING! All donated by members of the fund raising group and for only £1.00 per ticket you will have the chance of not only winning one of the following fantastic prizes, but at the same time be helping buy much needed food, clothing, shoes, toiletries, pet food and so on..... the list is endless.

So please, make your donation and get your entry to ensure you don't miss out on this opportunity.

All you need to do to donate is click here and this will take you directly to the Just Giving web site.

Make your donation to the appeal and put your email address in the Name or nickname box and the letters "BBQ" as Your Comment. The minimum donation on Just Giving is £2.00 , but this will entitle you to 2 FREE entries to the draw!

The amazing prizes include, but are not limited to..........................

** 2 Night stay for 2 people in "La Grande Quercia Bed & Breakfast" - a place to relax and unwind in the heart of Abruzzowww.lagrandequercia-abruzzo.com**

** 2 Oil paintings by a local Dutch artist, vibrant colours **

** 2 x 1 year subscriptions to Italy Magazine (www.italymagazine.com) **

** 2 x 4 hrs of gardening (Marche only) **

** 1 x 2 night stay for up to 4 people at 'La Mimosa' A converted 200 year old farmhouse in Monte Vidon Corrado, Le Marche www.la-mimosa.com

**1 x 4 hrs of handyman work (Marche only)**

** 1 x 2 night stay (up to 5 guests) at 'The Hideaway' a holiday home near the stunning Sibillini Mountains in Le Marche www.thehideaway.eu**

** 1 x Fantastic Indian Head Massage (Marche only)**

** Lots of Rugby affiliated gifts, shirts, a lesson (again Marche only), and other memorabillia **

** 2 night stay for up to 4 people in "Casa San Lorenzo" a holiday rental with outstanding panoramic views of the Sibillini Mountains of Le Marche www.lemarche.co.uk**

** A Book on walking in the Sibillini Mountains **

** A Fantastic Selection of Thai Ingredients to cook some wonderful meals**

** Bottles of wine from Le Marche and Abruzzo regions **

** A PERSONALLY SIGNED Copy of Jamie Oliver Cookery Book 'Jamies Italy' **

**A 3 night break for 2 guests at 'Sante Tanursi', a beautiful apartment in the historic centre of Ripatransone with views to the Adriatic Coast www.santan.co.uk**

SO COME ON - GET YOUR RAFFLE TICKETS TODAY -

WITH SUCH GREAT PRIZES WE ARE AIMING TO RAISE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE FOR THE PEOPLE OF L'AQUILA

For further details please PM Angie and Robert or Sarah and Mark or Moxie

GRAZIE MILLE!

* Taxation rules dictate that tickets cannot be purchased, but a minimum donation of £2.00 to the Abruzzo Earthquake Appeal will provide 2 Free entries to the Prize Draw.

Travel costs not included in accommodation prizes. All donations will go to The Red Cross Abruzzo Earthquake Appeal via JustGiving.

Topic

Post

Location

Marche

Comment

I have pm'd you (I hope) but we would also like to add to the accommodation being offered as prizes. We have a small house/apartment in the historic centre of Ripatransone and would like to offer a long weekend or indeed any other 3 nights accommodation as a prize. Accommodation and some of the area can be seen on www.santan.co.uk but as this is our first year letting the property the website is still a work in progress. (p.s. waiting to find out why google chrome turn website crazy - best to access via google (not chrome!).

Hi Karen;Thanks for your generosity; just out of interest I'm a member of the 'Cantina dell'Arte' at Ripa; and count amongst my mates Arnaldo, Frank the electrician, and Gabriele the drunk barber. Also frequented Lo Cucelo' pizzeria for ages!

Thank you so much Karen and John - you are fantastic and your apartment is beautiful - hope I win!!!

Karen, thanks so much, the website looks great even though it is work in progress!.Ax

Thank you Karen - Another fantastic prize for the grand draw!Hurry and donate your £2 to claim your two free draw tickets - only a week to go!Donate here pleasehttp://www.justgiving.com/italy-abruzzo-earthquake

Just pledge your donation on Just Giving and we will enter you in for the draw at the BBQ on the 21st June.

Sorry guys, I will not be in Italy; however, I have put a donation in the fund. No need to add my name for the draw, but if you insist and I happen to win something (highly unlikely as I do not win prizes at raffles or lotteries), you are hereby authorised to "sell" the prize against a donation for the Animal Refuge. Good luck and congratulations on the excellent work done.

Thanks Gala, it is very kind of you - just a shame we don't get to meet you at the BBQ this time round!

Thanks Gala, you will be pleased to hear the raffle money is coming in, lets hope the trickle turns into a deluge!, lots of fantastic prizes!A

Hurry and donate your £2 to claim your two free draw tickets - less than a week to go now! Donate here please http://www.justgiving.com/italy-abruzzo-earthquake And please email the link here to all your friends, so they can join in the fun too! http://www.lagrandequercia-abruzzo.com/raffle.html

People are just so generous - wonderful

Just had another bottle of wine donated for a raffle prize!!! Get your tickets whilst stocks last.

Brilliant work everyone.

Get your raffle tickets now!

Truly amazing and a £500 donation from St Peter's Church in Sharnbrook, Beds!!Incredible.

I hope you all appreciate that Robert and I have writers cramp, but dont let that put you off, buy more tickets!Ax

Don't worry about Angie and Robert's cramp - just buy more tickets!!!! A & R - I hear salt is good for cramp!

What do I rub it in?, ha ha Sarah, I may find another job for you, so watch out!Ax

Noooooo more jobs A - not enough hours in the day after selling raffle tickets and BBQing - but come on............... we are only £21 short of £11000. Lets aim for £12000 next!

More raffle prizes coming soon ...... Keep an eye out!

Wow, I am amazed at the support from everyone, raffle tickets going like hot cakes. Thanks so much.A

And whilst I think about it can I thank Ronald and all the staff at Italy Mag for making this possible, hey have you donated re raffle tickets yet?, shameless last few days to promote this!.A

A very exciting prize will be added very soon so get your raffle tickets now (don't forget to put BBQ next to your name on the Just Giving site!). Thanks so much you generous people.

Hot off the press.....We have just had a fantastic 1 week holiday donated to our raffle - thank you so much K & F. The prize is to stay in a beautiful apartment in Ripatransone with views to the Adriatic Coast and surrounding countryside from all rooms. The apartment sleeps up to four guests and is only 10 minutes from Blue Flag beaches. So come on - get your raffle tickets today - there are now 6 holidays for you to win and many other prizes!

So get your tickets now - Latest addition - a bottle of Pimms - just in time for the Summer!

We have just very kindly had a bottle of GORDONS GIN donated - thank you very much P & J - so come on - buy your tickets today. At this rate we will have enough booze to set up our own bar!

Have you seen the new look Just Giving website - now it is all up and running you can donate to get your raffle tickets today!

There has been a slight problem with the new look Just Giving site and I have been told of at least 2 donations which have not shown up since their update. If anyone has donated on or since the 19th June, could you check to see if your donation is showing and if not inform them at JG. If you have not donated then there is still 5 days to get your raffle tickets for L'Aquila! After the scarey night they must have all had last night in the tents, the least we can do is help to get them out of there asap.

New fantastic prize!, 3 night stay at Casa Margherita, a village house with stunning views from the roof top terrace, set in a small village close to Fermo. More details to follow...A