Dear friends,

I am deeply grateful to everyone who has reached out with kindness and support your messages and contributions truly touch my heart.

Right now, wildfires are devastating Portugal. They have already reached my hometown and our family village in the Fundão district, where the fire destroyed our lands, beehives, and part of the community’s livelihood. There are not enough firefighters, and it has been the exhausted locals themselves , including my family, who stood at the front lines to stop the flames until reinforcements arrived. Thanks to this unity, we managed to save people and homes, but the destruction to nature and our fields is immense.

Families like mine have lost their land, property, and animals.

The bees which are essential to biodiversity and to our small family business that has existed for five generations are among the most affected. Without them, there is no pollination, no flowers, no fruits, no balance in our ecosystem.

This fundraiser is being organized and coordinated by me, Patrícia Leonardo, together with my brother Alexandre Leonardo. Our goal is to provide urgent support for those supporting on the ground and for families who were severe affected, while also beginning the long-term recovery of our lands and biodiversity.

Recovery Timeline

• Immediate (Now – Winter 2025): Protect what is left. Provide urgent supplies for the community safe house and firefighters, deliver direct relief to 5 local families affected by the fires, and feed the surviving bees. Begin replanting honey flowers and trees within the next month to take root with the first rains.

• Short Term (Spring 2026): The first wildflowers bloom, pollinators and birds return, and the soil begins to heal.

• Medium Term (Years 2–3): Reforestation the 150 new trees established, soil regeneration, community farming slowly restored.

• Long Term (Years 4–5): Full biodiversity recovery in progress, bees, wildlife, and sustainable harvests return, ensuring food security and hope for future generations.

Together, with your help, we can restore hope to the people, rebuild what has been lost, and bring life back to our community.

With gratitude,

Patrícia