Dear friends ...
As we get closer to the beginning of 2020, we are reaching out to our community and ask that you support us, so as to enter the new-year with some funds in our bank account.
2019, has been a very challenging year for us at ASMAA. Due to a variety of reasons it saw 41.3% of ASMAA’s total income not being generated via donations from the general public, people just like you, but instead it was given to ASMAA by a small group of our directors. Had they not stepped in, month after month, ASMAA would not have been able to carry on. This is the sad reality facing us 2 days before Christmas.
Not a very nice Christmas present having our bank account down to its last 100€ once again. The difference this time is that our directors can no longer continue to bail out our association as they have in the past – so we are depending on you to step in and help us breach the gap.
However we are deeply grateful for the support for the few that donated 56,2% of our income. Our donors this past year account for less than 0,5% of all the people that has benefited from our work along the years. Although only 18,7% were donations to meet costs of the anti-oil drilling fight, the balance was made up of contributions to our general running costs and to our various social projects.
What concerns us is that we will be entering the new year with unpaid bills for legal costs and for other related costs incurred during our anti-oil drilling campaign. This is not a nice Christmas present nor status to be in as we reach year-end.
We have to continue to pay our legal team and all the other people that have assisted us and have been patiently waiting to be paid. It’s not fair on them, nor is it fair on us.
As the new year fast approaches we ask that you donate now!
Show your commitment and show your appreciation for ASMAA, for having kept the Algarve free from fracking and from offshore drilling since December 2012. For keeping your livelihoods safe, for keeping your investments in our beautiful area safe, for keeping you and your families safe from the devastating risks that had we not succeeded would be confronting you already.
But the sad reality, is that the risk has not gone away ... its just been postponed for the time being, but without support to cover the past costs, we have to seriously rethink whether we can get involved in a battle like this in the future.
ASMAA was recently requested to step into another legal battle that is fast developing against fracking in the centre of Portugal in the Bajouca and Aljubarrota areas, involving the oil and gas company Australis. Although we would like to assist, the reality is that while we have outstanding legal and other bills from our previous fight, it will be highly irresponsible for ASMAA to financially expose itself to further legal and other related costs.
It is now up to you to decide by speaking with your wallets today and donating.
We still have just over 30,000€ outstanding in accounts relating to the oil fight. ASMAA can’t do this on its own. We need your help. Its time for all of you to make a contribution as well, not just the few that regularly donate, nor to our directors that have unselfishly carried many of the costs as well. Keep in mind that we are all volunteers, and we have all devoted 100% of our time to this cause.
What will happen regarding getting sufficient funds to assist in alleviating our outstanding anti-oil campaign and legal costs between now and year-end will greatly influence our strategy and focus on the way forward from January 2020.
PLEASE DONATE NOW IF YOU REALLY CARE
Donate directly via PayPal (including credit card payments) using email info@asmaa-algarve.org
or directly to Paypal via our website: http://asmaa-algarve.org/en/donate
Or via Bank Transfer (EFT)
BANK: SANTANDER TOTTA
ASMAA Algarve Surf and Marine Activities Association
IBAN: PT50 0018 0008 02686698020 51
REF: LEGAL (if its to assist in reducing our current legal debt backlog)
REF: OIL & GAS (if its to assist in reducing our current campaign debt backlog)
REF: ASMAA (if its to assist us finance the necessary research and publications on our website, so as to keep you up to date on what is really happening in Portugal)
In spite of all our challenges, we really do wish you, your families, loved ones and friends a Merry Christmas. May it be peaceful and full of love and joy.
Laurinda and the rest of the ASMAA Team
282 182 103 | 969 320 231