San Isidro – A celebration of spring in Estepona. Credit: Ayuntamiento de Estepona

Those who love spending time in the community and with animals will have a chance to have a lovely day out when A.R.C.H. hosts its hugely popular annual Spring Festival in Alhaurin el Grande on Sunday, May 17. The equine protection centre is preparing an event packed with activities for every age group while directing all proceeds towards urgent care for rescued horses and donkeys.

Plenty of entertainment fills the programme

Visitors will be able to enjoy a display from a local dog trainer who specialises in obedience and attack dogs after police dogs proved unavailable due to Andalusian election duties. Attendees can then watch the popular Fun Dog Show featuring amusing classes such as the Obstacle Race and Temptation Alley, where handlers call their pets past tempting sausages, toys and biscuits.

As every year, there will be an artisan market stocked with craft items, live music fills the air, and a barbecue serves food and drink, including vegan choices. Families can browse the ARCH stall full of merchandise and pick up details about ongoing rescue work. Many of the equine guests will be on hand to meet and greet as well.

Original artworks go on public view now

Two exceptional paintings now sit on display inside the A.R.C.H. charity shop in Alhaurin el Grande and form a key part of the fundraising drive. Artist Anna Bondar created the first piece, an acclaimed contemporary Ukrainian artist whose works appear in private collections across Ukraine, England, Hungary, Ireland and the USA. Oil on canvas and measuring 90 by 90 centimetres, the painting titled ‘In the beginning there was trust’ carries an estimated value around €2,000. Bondar donates her support because horses shaped her life through riding, silence and, above all, trust.

Janette Lockett, ASEA (Associate of the Society of Equestrian Artists (UK)), has produced the second artwork, a local equestrian specialist whose pastels capture grace and movement. Measuring 100 by 70 centimetres and presented in a black gallery frame with a signed authenticity certificate, the piece titled ‘Kite’ holds an estimated value near €1,500. Lockett knows the rescue centre well and has previously contributed her art to its cause.

Raffle and direct visits add extra appeal

A.R.C.H. volunteers are running the usual mega raffle throughout the day. Guests can walk among the horses and donkeys, including two adorable foals that have recently arrived and now require extensive medical attention.

A.R.C.H faces rising costs after taking in numerous animals at once, so feed bills and veterinary expenses continue to climb. Every ticket sale and purchase helps ease that pressure.

How to bid on the paintings

People can submit separate donation offers for each artwork by emailing donations@horserescuespain.org or messaging WhatsApp number +34 711 070 099. Messages must state ‘Offer for painting’ plus the chosen title and contact details. Bids remain open until May 31, even after the event.

Entry to the A.R.C.H Spring Fest costs nothing, so everyone can simply turn up and enjoy the occasion while backing a vital rescue operation.

Miramar Shopping Centre in Fuengirola has joined forces with the incredible Cudeca Foundation to run a charity clothing collection campaign, making it super easy for residents to support palliative cancer care, and in return earn a little reward for doing so.

How the clothing collection works

A dedicated drop-off point has been set up on the ground floor of Miramar Shopping Centre, right near one of the main entrances, opposite Starbucks, where donated garments will be collected and later resold to raise funds for palliative care for people living with cancer and other advanced illnesses. Visitors can drop off their unwanted clothing until May 16, during opening hours of 10am to 9pm. 

Free drinks for the first 200 donors

As a fun incentive to encourage participation, the first 200 customers who make a donation will receive drink vouchers to enjoy at selected establishments within the shopping centre. To claim the reward, donors simply need to register on the Miramar app and show their identification at the collection point.

Clothes given a second life

Once received, volunteers will check that donated items are in good condition before putting them up for sale in the Joan by Cudeca charity shops, which are one of the foundation’s primary sources of funding. Every sale directly supports free professional palliative care for patients in need. Miramar has stated that this collaboration “reflects the centre’s social responsibility and brings visibility to the tireless work of an organisation that carries enormous weight across the whole of Malaga province.”

Extra drop-off points in the car park

If you are unable to get into the store for those hours and still wish to donate, two yellow clothing containers have also been installed in the outdoor car park for you to gift the clothes without needing to visit the ground-floor collection space. Clothing, footwear, and accessories in good condition are all accepted.

You may find a hidden gem

You need not just be on the donating side, have a rummage through at one of the stores and you may find that top or bag you have been looking for and in return you’ll have done more to support a wonderful cause. 

For more information on the Miramar store and donation boxes visit the shopping centre website. To locate further charity shops across the coast, see Joan Cudeca Charity shop website and social media channels.