Goodwill Team

The u3a Vall del Pop team was established a few years ago to raise funds for local charities in need by way of holding fundraising events. It does not receive any money from members´ or central funds. These are managed by the Treasurer and are totally separate.

Each year the total raised by the Goodwill team is allocated amongst nominated charities, predominantly those charities based or serving the valleys.

During 2025 the team worked tirelessly hosting super events for members´ enjoyment and providing refreshments and a preloved stall at GA meetings and raised a record amount of money, almost 11,000 euros. I hope you will agree they do a fabulous job, endlessly baking, making, organising and hosting, and I am very proud and grateful to them and to all our members who support their fundraising.

Every euro raised goes directly to charity and these are the charities who will benefit this year from the distribution of 2025 funds:

• Jalon Valley Help: we are able to purchase 2 hospital beds for use in the community
• ARC animal rescue charity who rescue abandoned cats in the area
• Project 4 All who look after and feed the homeless
• Paws Xalo dog rescue who rescue abandoned dogs in the area
• Benissa Children´s home via Make a Smile who care for disadvantaged children in care
• Caring for cats who feed and neuter feral cats in the area
• Caritas Jalon/Lliber who support families in need in the 2 villages
• Cancer Care who support those living with cancer and their friends and families

In addition we have donated to the following organisations during 2025:

• Cancer Care: a cash donation in memory of Magda Green
• Jalon Valley Help: a hospital bed when supplies ran out
• Age in Spain: who visited as a guest speaker at a GA
• No Nolotil campaign: who visited as a guest speaker at a GA
• Royal British Legion: who visited as a guest speaker at a GA
• Volunteer Bomberos: a thank you for keeping us safe
• Caritas Jalon/Lliber: when funds ran out to support local families
• Caritas Benigembla/Murla: household goods and toiletries collected twice a year
• Gandia mens´ shelter: clothing, toiletries and medication

We also invite local charities to have free stalls at our Spring and Christmas fayres so they can raise funds of their own and we are delighted to hear that they have enjoyed the benefit.

We have lots of great events planned for 2026 and we hope you will enjoy supporting them. Without you we couldn´t help those less fortunate than ourselves. Thank you so much and we wish all members a peaceful, healthy and happy Christmas and New Year.