Beer for bears

DURING difficult times, any help is appreciated by those in need, but a restaurant in Adra has begun a novel initiative to help more than 300 local families.

For every teddy bear donated at El Timon in El Ejido at weekends, the ‘bearer’ will receive a free beer or soft drink. Sergio Utrera explained: “The bear must be in good condition and only one drink per person per day will be served.”

“It is this first time we have done something like this,” continued Sergio, “The idea came from an online newspaper and we were contacted via social networks by a restaurant in Logroño to see if we could implement it here in Adra. It will run for the rest of December.”

It is named Un peluche, una sonrisa (One bear, one smile) and although it specifies bears in the name, all stuffed toys are welcome.

The fun event coincides with the restaurant’s sixth birthday.

El Timon is not the only business gathering toys. Also jumping on board are the municipal basketball club and Cruz Roja.

Adra Cruz Roja plans to reach more than 300 children under the age of 12 that are members of poor families or at risk of social exclusion.

The collections continue until December 26. Toys will be distributed on December 30 by between 10 and 15 volunteers, a week before the Three Kings’ day.