European Consumer Claims (ECC) staff praised for selflessness in helping victims of Estepona forest fire

European Consumer Claims staff generosity praised by animal shelterADANA after money and pet supplies donated following nightmare forest fire

Estepona inferno

In September 2021, a huge forest fire blazed for 7 days in the Sierra Bermeja hills above Estepona, destroying 10,000 hectares of land, forcing 3,000 people from their homes and causing the death of brave 44 year old firefighter Carlos Martinez Haro.

1000 emergency workers, with firefighting aircraft battled the 85km long perimeter to bring the flames under control with the help of a rain storm on the seventh day.

ADANA Dog Shelter

Like many other businesses and private homeowners, the ADANA animal rescue charity was devastated by the fire.

"We got the animals safely out," says Reg Winkworth, the organisation's treasurer. "Thanks to the dedication of our volunteer staff, 120 dogs were able to be temporarily sheltered. Now we are back and in desperate need of help."

Reg explains that due to damage to the facilities, water supply and stores they are mainly in need of financial donations. "We reached out for support through local media," he says.

European Consumer Claims answers call for help

"When our staff saw that ADANA needed money and supplies, they were determined to help," explains Sharon Johnson, department head at ECC. "They donated money (a total of €330), dog blankets, food bowls; whatever they could spare. We were delighted to be able to hand over the results of our staff's generosity and goodwill. Reg and Susan Brown (ADANA's president) came in person to collect the hundreds of euros, and physical supplies we gathered."

Andrew Cooper, CEO of ECC says "I couldn't be prouder of our workforce for stepping up when their community needed help.

"Many of our staff are not Spanish nationals, but they feel a strong sense of responsibility to their adopted country. ECC was founded to fight for the rights of people who fell victim to the illegal behaviour of timeshare companies, and because many of those companies held consumer laws in utter contempt for years, we have become one of the biggest employers in the area.

"It is extremely gratifying to see the collective power of our team in providing aid to those in need outside of our professional environment. It demonstrates the caring nature of our people."

ADANA dog shelter is still very much in need of your assistance. To find out how the most efficient way to help, please contact Reg and his team on:

• E: tesorera@adana.es
• T: 952806992