Together for Portugal

We the Portuguese community in Sydney and Wollongong would like to raise funds to help the victims, their families and the community in Pedrógão, Portugal to rebuild their homes and assist with medical expenses. 
Some members or their families have been affected by these fires and as a community we need to help and show support.

STORY
A series of four deadly wildfires erupted across central Portugal on the afternoon of 17 June 2017 within minutes of each other, resulting in at least 64 deaths and 204 injured people. This is the largest loss of life due to wildfires in Portugal's history, and is the worst forest fire in Portugal in over half a century.


An estimated total of 44,969 hectares of land was burned by the fires, with 29,693 hectares in the Pedrógão Grande area alone.


The greatest loss of life took place on a rural road in Pedrógão Grande, which is situated approximately 150kms north east of Lisbon. The fires in this area are suspected to have started as a result of a lightning strike. 47 people died in or near their cars when a fire overtook the area; 30 people died while trapped in their vehicles while the other 17 died nearby trying to escape by foot. Another 11 people died in Nodeirinho, near the IC8 motorway. Dozens of small communities were severely affected, with many people losing their homes, cars and all their belongings.


Prime Minister António Costa has called the disaster "the greatest tragedy we have seen in recent years in terms of forest fires", and stated that "the dimensions of this fire have caused a human tragedy beyond any in our memory". Three days of national mourning were declared, and observed from 18-20 June. 


Following the end of the campaign Eliana De Sousa Director of the Sydney Portugal Community Club (SPCCL) will then withdraw the funds from Gofundme into the account  which has been set up together with  the Consulate General of Portugal in Sydney.

We (SPCCL) and the Consulate General of Portugal in Sydney  will work with the community of Portugal and it's victims in distributing the funds raised. We (SPCCL) will transfer the money into the allocated bank account in Portugal.

Thank you for your support.