The popular local Show group TAABS were busy giving away some more money last week when they met with Mary Chambers from the AEBE, known popularly as the Butterfly Children’s Charity.
AEBE stands for Asociación de Epidermolisis Bullosa de España. Epidermolysis Bullosa is a rare genetic skin condition which gives rise to painful blistering of the skin. It is this thin blistering, like a butterfly’s wings, which has given rise to the popular name for the charity, the Butterfly Children’s charity. In some cases this blistering can occur internally causing sufferers great difficulty and pain when eating and drinking. Great care has to be taken in dressing and covering the skin to prevent infection and help protect against knocks and bumps which can lead to further blistering.
The AEBE is a ‘Spanish offshoot’ of the UK registered charity DebRA devoted to the condition both in terms of supporting sufferers and carers and helping to fund research into understanding the condition. Here in Spain the AEBE has its headquarters in the south of Spain but has a very energetic and effective group of supporters and volunteers who fundraise and run charity shops locally. It has proved to be a very popular charity to give donations to, probably because of the children suffering from the condition who have to put up with so much pain and discomfort. As well as the ongoing caring for both sufferers and their carers, funding research into the condition, the charity has an ongoing project to collect funds to provide a respite centre.
TAABS were able to donate 100 euros which came from a Christmas table top sale they held at El Paraiso in Torrevieja. Cathy Carson from TAABS said they were amazed at how much they collected considering most of the items on sale were available for a few cents each. After the presentation had been made there was also an opportunity to take a picture of TAABS members each holding a copy of the trophy that they were presented with from last year’s CoastRider Pride of Spain Awards. Having won the ‘Fundraiser of the Year’ award at the presentation ceremony in September, the group decided that, rather than pass the trophy round for everyone to have the opportunity to display it on their mantelpiece, they would purchase extra copies so that every member could have their very own trophy. It took a little while for all the trophies to come through but they were all available last week for a photograph before their usual weekly practice session at El Paraiso.
TAABS will be holding a summer fete at the Hampshire Hog in March so look out for details in the local press. The group are available to perform at charity functions and for more details about the group you can contact Cathy Carson on 666 180 118.