Agrupación de Peñas start initiative for hand sanitiser for the elderly

Fede Sagreras, president of the VCF Agrupación de Peñas supporters group association, spoke to VCF Media Radio on Monday to provide details of an iniciative that has already raised funds in the battle against COVID-19.

The idea is to involve all supporters groups in gathering money to buy hydroalcoholic gel, which will be given to Residences for the Eldery across the Valencia region.

"Any help is good right now," said Sagreras. "Within our abilities, we thought about putting together an initiative, and it is going very well. We set a target of 10,000 euros, and I think that we are going to exceed this. So far we have had 34 peñas participating, but we have more than 300."

Explaining the decision to purchase sanitising gel, Sagreras added that "Finding masks and gloves is difficult, because not of them are homologated or comply with the requirements for use. However, gel is always useful."

"We've spoken with a home in Torrent, which is one of the most affected, and we want to reach the many other such residences. All supporters groups who want to participate can donate the amount of their choosing, with a minimum of 30 euros. This drive will remain active until April 17th."

Another initiative involves the Agrupación de Peñas donating 50 cents for every retweet on Twitter of their publication, as they attempt to spread more awareness of their mission to help those in need.

"There are foreign countries where it is difficult to make bank transfers due to the fees involved -which are sometimes more than the amount itself. We have opened up a PayPal linked to our Caixabank account," commented Sagreras. "We have already received donations from the USA, the Viachers international grup, Peña Rusos, Snow Bats from Canada, the French group and the ‘Guiris' group.  The peña 18 de Marzo from Madrid have also made a big donation, as have the Peña de Guareña."

"We all have to do our bit to help those who, unfortunately, have caught the virus, and the defenseless elderly. This situation can make us all more human. Amunt from home. Anybody who can stay at home, should do that, and if we can help economically, then it will go a long way."