Joint solidarity initiative Acreditar and the Portuguese Association of Shopping Centres

• Concert with the Metropolitan Wind Orchestra, on December 5th, marks the symbolic start of the campaign to collect donations for Acreditar
  
• APCC members and the general public can contribute to this solidarity action, which will take place throughout the country

The Portuguese Association of Shopping Centres (APCC) joins Acreditar, Association of Parents and Friends of Children with Cancer, in a solidarity initiative that takes place throughout the country, with the support of members of the APCC and Metropolitana.

The objective is to raise donations for Acreditar, the association that marks 30 years this year and which since 1994 has guaranteed fundamental help to children and young people with cancer and their families, accompanying and providing support in all stages of the disease.

The campaign begins, symbolically, on December 5, International Volunteer Day, with the “SOLIDARY CONCERT BELIEVE”, by the Orchestra of Sopros da Metropolitana, in the central square of Centro Colombo, at 6 pm. On that day, the donations of APCC and its associates will be delivered to Acreditar.

Between 5 December and 6 January, the campaign, which takes place on social networks and shopping centres, is extended to the general public, so that you can also, within your possibilities, make your contribution to this solidarity action.

The Believe has supported more than 15,000 families. It provides very wide-ranging support for children and young people and their families: social support (financial, food and material); school support; scholarships; psychological and legal support, among other types of assistance.

He also created the Acreditar Houses, which welcome the families of children and young people who have to leave their localities to undergo treatments in Porto, Coimbra or Lisbon. The houses, located in these three cities, allow many families not to be subject to long and constant travel and avoid being housed in precarious conditions.

The director general of Acreditar, Margarida Cruz, says “With the extraordinary strength with which they reach citizens through the dozens of associated shopping centers, this Christmas APCC takes the voice of children with cancer further. In total harmony with the values that guide us of empathy, a sense of community and hope, this partnership fills us with enthusiasm. The commitment of so many entities in this solidarity initiative ensures that only a mobilized civil society allows no one to go alone when cancer gets in the way”.

Carla Pinto, APCC executive director, says “Bringing our associates together around this cause is something we consider extremely relevant. Shopping centers are much more than mere places of purchase, they exist to serve the people and the communities in which they are inserted and the members of APCC often carry out actions of social solidarity, but in launching this national campaign we wanted to mobilize all around the same goal. To believe develops a very meritorious work, which makes all the difference in the lives of many families since it helps to face the numerous and difficult challenges that pediatric cancer represents, with this initiative of solidarity, we want, too, make a difference and contribute to this noble mission. We symbolically start the campaign on December 5, International Volunteer Day, with a concert by the Metropolitan Wind Orchestra, which generously supports this action and to which we leave our thanks. We believe that the recognition of the work developed by Acreditar will extend to our associates and to the many Portuguese who, daily, visit the shopping centres throughout the country, because every contribution is essential and can guarantee the help that children and families supported by this Association so much need”.

About the Believe

At 30, Acreditar is present in all phases and after the disease to face the challenges that pediatric cancer imposes on the whole family with professionalism and the experience of those who have gone through it.

About the APCC

The APCC is a national association that brings together companies investors, promoters and managers of shopping centers, as well as retail trade companies and service providers to the sector. Currently, APCC has more than 170 members, with 104 Commercial Sets, which integrate more than 8,500 stores. The sector creates around three hundred thousand jobs and receives more than 550 million visits per year.

Always confirm with the concert hall or promoter the conditions of access, confirmation of the date or time, ticket place of sale, price, and availability.

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