The Costa Calida city of Cartagena has reinforced its commitment to children by supporting the Association of Foster Families of the Region of Murcia, also known as AFA.MU, in an initiative aimed at strengthening support and resources for foster families, as well as promoting social awareness in the municipality.

Cartagena marks World Foster Care Day with a pledge to the vulnerable children of the Costa Calida

The announcement, which was made on World Foster Care Day, seeks to highlight the importance of offering vulnerable children and adolescents a safe, stable, and loving home where they can grow. To help the association, Cartagena will provide AFA.MU with a municipal space, which will serve as a headquarters from which to offer support, advice, and training activities for foster families, as well as organise outreach campaigns.

Fostering children, while different from adoption, is an essential structure that assists and nurtures children during a crucial stage in their lives. Foster families help to provide a loving and safe atmosphere, protecting children from harm as they develop. During the announcement of the initiative, the families participating in the programme were thanked for their commitment.

Cartagena’s commitment: Hundreds of children depend on foster families in the Region of Murcia

During the announcement, the mayor of Cartagena, Noelia Arroyo, emphasised that the protection of children and adolescents is one of the priorities of the municipal government, and that Cartagena was recognised by UNICEF as a ‘Child Friendly City’, a distinction that honours the municipality’s commitment to the wellbeing of children.

In the Region of Murcia, there are approximately 1,200 children under guardianship, and more than half of these live with foster families. As a result, the region has prioritised the expansion of the network of foster families, in order to provide children with a safe environment to grow in.

The commitment by Cartagena to transfer this municipal space to the organisation represents a new step forward for the children of the municipality, and the promotion of family foster care as a fundamental tool in the major Costa Calida city.

Once more, Puerto de Mazarron has become the centre of attention for dog lovers and dog breeding enthusiasts as it hosted the 14th edition of the National Dog Show, an event that becomes more popular with each passing year and attracted participants, breeders, and of course, pups with prowess to the charming coastal municipality.

More than 100 professional pups take the stage in Mazarron

The event attracted trainers of more than 100 dogs of various breeds, including extremely rare ones. Visitors who attended the event were treated to a unique opportunity to see the wide range of appearances and skills of the talented dogs, and both experts and amateurs alike enjoyed the show.

The dogs were judged by experts on various categories and evaluations, and trainers also got an opportunity to register their animals’ pedigree and confirm their breed. The event was a mix of both dog show professionalism and public spectacle, so seasoned experts and newcomers could enjoy the show in equal measure.

A prestigious competition to showcase world-class canines

The competition also boasts significant prestige; it was an official qualifying event for the Championship of the Region of Murcia, drawing high-level trainers and world-class canines to the idyllic shores of Puerto de Mazarron. Many of the dogs seen in the competition are set to compete on an international level.

A dog-lover atmosphere during a beautiful afternoon in Puerto de Mazarron

But what truly defined the day was the lively and family-friendly atmosphere among the dog lovers at the show. Spectators of all ages gathered to admire the adorable, striking, and professional pups in an event that combined leisure and community spirit, all in a seaside atmosphere that made for a wonderful afternoon.

With the event, Puerto de Mazarron has once more established itself as a hub for major, world-class competitions on the Costa Calida, and the XIV National Dog Show stands out as a celebration of both canine beauty and the enduring bond between trainers and their incredible animals.

THE Region of Murcia is set to join in on the low-cost petrol craze, with the expansion of Plenergy in two new areas of the Costa Calida and bringing its total to 21 operating stations in the region. Plenergy, formerly known as Plenoil, has opened stations in Cartagena and in Murcia City, bringing affordable petrol closer to residents and visitors.

Where to find the new low-cost stations

To be specific, the first station, which has two pumps, is located in Cartagena on Calle Floridablanca 6, and the second, which has four pumps, is located in Murcia City on Senda de Granada, 10. These new petrol stations have been placed to meet growing demand from local drivers, amid a context of surging petrol costs.

These stations will be open and under 24-hour a day video surveillance. Additionally, they will have staff present from 7:10am to 9:45pm from Monday to Friday, and from 9:10am to 2:00pm and from 4:10pm to 8:00pm over the weekends.

Plenergy reaffirms position as the most prevalent low-cost station in Murcia

With the new installations, Plenergy, formerly known as Plenoil, has consolidated its reputation as the most present low-cost petrol station brand in the autonomous community, far surpassing Ballenoil’s 14 stations.

According to the CEO of Plenergy, José Rodríguez de Arellano, the aim of the strategy is to “offer users top-quality fuel at the most competitive price on the market, in safe, comfortable, and accessible facilities.”

The move is part of a larger plan by Plenergy to continue growing and reach 500 total operational stations by the year 2027.

Low-cost fuel closer to residents in a context of spiking costs

The timing of the installations just ahead of peak season is also strategic, and especially during July, as Spain has announced the end of temporary VAT cuts on fuel and energy bills on June 30. The cut is ending amid increasing instability and prices in the country, in part caused by the Strait of Hormuz bottleneck as a result of the US-Israel-Iran conflict.