Nandi News - March 2025
The New Who´s Who of Nandi
The Nandi AGM in February saw the election of a new team of Directors to take the charity forward.
Josh, Sandra, Mel and Rui have now joined us as Directors.
Josh Braun - President
Sandra Thompson - Vice President (Animal Help)
Bev Egginton - Vice-President (Shops)
Josh, our new President, is an American owner of two companies - hedge fund management and construction. In addition, he is a former US ski champion and a Professor of Economics. He has all the skills and expertise to further develop Nandi with the assistance of our new, professional, management team.
Bev Egginton - Vice-President (Shops)
Sandra Thompson - Vice President (Animal Help)
Bev Egginton - Vice-President (Shops)
Bev, who has been instrumental in turning the furniture shop around, continues in her role of managing both shops. As a former nurse in charge of a busy hospital intensive care unit, she brings that caring nature and organisational skills to the benefit of Nandi's shops and staff.
Sandra Thompson - Vice President (Animal Help)
Sandra Thompson - Vice President (Animal Help)
Sandra Thompson - Vice President (Animal Help)
In the management restructure, Sandra has moved into a Vice-President position, continuing to manage Nandi's animal care provision - sanctuary funding and support, vet treatments including sterilisations and our food programme for numerous cat colonies. Formerly in charge of the UK government websites, she has been instrumental in bringing digitalisation of services to the benefit of Nandi and its customers.
Mel Lister - Treasurer
Marsha Hallsworth - Vogal
Sandra Thompson - Vice President (Animal Help)
Having been our book keeper in 2024, it was only natural that Mel was elected as our new Treasurer for 2025. Mel was an accountant in the UK before coming to the Algarve where she has continued with her profession. Already knowledgeable about Nandi accounts and finance, she has, of course, fitted seamlessly into the role.
John Worman - Secretary
Marsha Hallsworth - Vogal
Marsha Hallsworth - Vogal
A former President of Nandi, John continues with his role as secretary. He’s the longest serving member on the Management Committee and continues to be in charge of Nandi general communications, membership, contracts and building and van issues.
Marsha Hallsworth - Vogal
Marsha Hallsworth - Vogal
Marsha Hallsworth - Vogal
(A vogal in Portugal is a voting member of the Management Board who can step up to replace another member of the Board should a replacement be required)
Marsha is continuing in her role as Vogal, a role she has held for the last two years. With a background in training and hospitality, Marsha’s skills in management can be seen in the running of the clothes shop where she works various shifts.
Rui Calado - Vogal
Rui Calado - Vogal
Rui Calado - Vogal
Rui joins the Board of Directors as a Vogal. He brings to Nandi knowledge of the local Lacobrigense community as well as Portuguese and Algarvian culture. Rui has worked extensively in tourism in the Algarve and currently works at the Lagos Camara in a multi-disciplinary team on the historic centre of Lagos.
Contacting us by telephone
Sorry! We are currently unable to accept voice calls on our advertised number.
To contact us to leave a message, please send an email or a Whats App or text message.
Please refer to our website for a full list of our contacts and services at: www.nandicharity.com/contact us
Thank you!
Animal Help in February 2025
Sandra Thompson, Vice President Animal Help reports:
In the month of February 2025, Nandi received a total of 102 applications, 65 from owners and 37 from partners/cat colonies. We declined 6 applications as 4 were out of area, 1 was for ongoing treatment and the other was for a microchip and vaccination.
Nandi estimated spend for February 2025 is 9,652.85€ and our invoiced spend for January 2025 was 11833.48€ (12049.08€ January 2024) out of which 6993.01€ was spent on sterilisations.
This is the first month since online applications were introduced (August 2024) that we have sterilised fewer animals than the previous year.
In February 2025 for individual applications, the amount authorised for treatments is double that for sterilisations.
Just a reminder - I am afraid we cannot fund vaccinations, microchips, worming or flea treatments, dental surgery or treatment for ongoing chronic or terminal conditions.
Breakdown of figures below, February 2024 figures in brackets:
Processionary caterpillars - protect your pets!
Processionary caterpillars, known scientifically as Thaumetopoea pitycampa, have a harmless appearance but behind lurks a potentially lethal danger for our four legged friends. Originally from southern Europe, these creatures have a peculiar life cycle that can pose a serious risk to pets, especially cats and dogs.
The life cycle of the processionary caterpillar begins when the adult female moths lay their eggs at the ends of tree branches, usually pine trees. After a few weeks, the caterpillars emerge from these eggs, feeding on leaves and rapidly growing in size. During the feeding period, these urticant creatures weave characteristic webs in the shape of nests, where they take shelter during the coldest months of the year.
As spring approaches, the now mature caterpillars leave their nests in search of soft soil to burrow in and begin the pupal stage. After a few weeks in this phase, the adult moths emerge, restarting the cycle by laying their eggs in the surrounding trees.
Although the processionary caterpillar may go unnoticed by many, its presence poses a serious risk to pets. The hair that covers their bodies contains a toxic substance that can cause serious allergic reactions and even death to dogs and cats.
The animals, often curious, can be attracted to the caterpillars’ nests or even to the creatures themselves while they are on the ground. By sniffing or licking the caterpillars, their faces and tongues can come into contact with the urticant bristles, triggering a series of adverse symptoms. These include swelling, irritation, vomiting, difficulty breathing, necrosis and, in extreme cases, anaphylactic shock.
Here are some preventative measures that can help you avoid contact with these creatures effectively:
1. Avoid infested areas:
Knowing the areas where processionary caterpillars are common can help you avoid exposure. Avoid walking or letting your pets loose in places where these creatures are known to inhabit, such as pine forests or wooded areas.
2. Keep pets under control:
During outdoor walks, keep your pets under close supervision and control. Use leashes or collars to ensure they don’t go near potentially dangerous areas.
3. Educate yourself on the signs of infestation:
Learn to recognize the signs of the presence of processionary caterpillars, such as the presence of nests in trees or the observation of the caterpillars themselves on the ground. Look out for these signs when exploring natural areas.
In the event of suspected exposure to the processionary caterpillar, it is essential to seek veterinary assistance immediately. Symptoms can develop rapidly and require urgent treatment to avoid serious complications. (Source: Nomadvet.pt)
Sorry! No more electrical items in our furniture shop
Due to limited space, capacity and liability, we are unfortunately unable to take donations of anything electric or electronic at this time. (We can still take lamps).
Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
Nandi Charity Winter Walks - come and join us!
The walks take place, weather permitting, one the first and third Fridays of the month.
For more information and to book your place on the next walk:
Whats App Maria on +49 17638956448
Or visit the website: https://sites.google.com/view/charitywalks
Dear hiking friends, the next charity walk will take place on Friday, March 7th from 10 a.m. We will hike from the banks of the Rio Arade through the beautiful old town into the lovely hilly landscape to the old windmill north of Silves. The total distance of the hike is approximately 8 km.
The medieval mill offers beautiful sweeping views while also serving as a high topographical control point.
Fromthere a small road leads us to the Via Algarviana long-distance hiking trail,which we follow winding over a ridge up the mountain. Then it goes on relatively comfortable levels and back to Silves. Come and join us! Book through the charity walks website above.
March 2025 Newsletter
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