Quinta do Lago raise over €230,000 to buy Childrens Charity Bus

Residents at the prestigious Quinta do Lago resort moved into top gear over the Easter holidays and raised an amazing €100,000 at a golf day to help purchase a new state-of-the-art dream bus for one of the leading children’s charities in Portugal.

More than 100 golfers gathered at Quinta do Lago for the annual  ‘Refúgio Golf Extravaganza’ fundraising event in aid of Refúgio Aboim Ascensão, which raises money for abused, abandoned and neglected children under the age of six.

After enjoying 18 holes of golf at Laranjal – including a hole-in-one competition to win a car on the par-three 15th, provided by Pontautos – guests were treated to a cocktail reception and prize-giving dinner at the renowned Casa do Lago restaurant on the resort. The evening’s entertainment also featured an auction with the chance to bid for some amazing prizes, including a signed shirt and golf cap of world number one Rory McIlroy and a pair of tickets to this year’s Rugby World Cup Final.

And such was the success of the event that it took the total amount of money funds raised in just three years to around €230,000 – fulfilling the organisers’ goal of being able to purchase the dream fun bus.

Rosie Sunderland, one of the event organisers and a Quinta do Lago resident, said: “We can’t thank the Quinta do Lago community enough for the generosity they have shown in giving to such a deserving cause.

“Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine that, just three years after launching our charity day following a  visit to the Refúgio, we would be handing over a cheque so it can buy the dream bus. It’s truly amazing.”

Nuno Gonçalves, director of golf at Quinta do Lago, added: “There has always been a strong sense of community at Quinta do Lago and that feeling remains as strong as ever. The residents are always very keen to give their time and support to local events and we’re delighted that the resort could play a part in such a successful day.”

Perfect for a relaxing family holiday in exquisite surroundings, Quinta do Lago offers the very best in award-winning sports and leisure facilities with a wide variety of pursuits to enjoy, including the chance to play its new North Course – voted ‘Best New Golf Course in Europe’ at the 2014 World Golf Awards.

One of three 18-hole championship courses at the luxury resort, the new-look layout has been redesigned by European Ryder Cup-winning captain McGinley in close collaboration with renowned American architect Beau Welling and has quickly becoming a firm favourite with golfers since reopening last October.

Quinta do Lago’s world-renowned golf courses are matched by outstanding practice facilities, with a state-of-the-art TaylorMade Performance Centre – the only such facility in southern Europe – and new short game area available in addition to the Paul McGinley Academy.

Set amongst 2,000 acres of the picturesque Ria Formosa Natural Park, there’s plenty to keep guests occupied away from the fairways at the resort, with events, tennis, cycling and watersports just some of the extensive leisure activities available.

For further information on Quinta do Lago please visit their website here -  www.quintadolago.com