Casa dos Açores da Bermuda has raised $2,000 for charities Scars and Friends of Hospice.

The charity, set up to promote Azorean culture and support good causes in Bermuda, raised the money through Portuguese doughnut stall sales at special events, including Harbour Nights and the recent Festival of Lights.

President of the board of Casa dos Açores da Bermuda and Honorary Portuguese Consul Andrea Moniz DeSouza, said: “The mandate of the charity is to promote and carry out activities that celebrate the Azorean history and culture with the Bermudian community as a whole, so that our community understands who we are, where we came from and the contributions made by Azorean descendants to Bermuda since the mid-1800s.

“Also, as we understand that the Azorean community is a small part of Bermuda’s people, we have made it part of our objective to support local charities that benefit all Bermudians regardless of their family origins.

“It is very important to us to support each other and to disprove the common perception that the Azorean community is a closed community. As such, the charity opens its doors to all of Bermuda.”

More events to help raise money for Casa dos Açores da Bermuda are in the pipeline.

The organisation will hold a New Year’s Eve event at the Hamilton Princess, where the charity will host a dinner followed by entertainment including a singer from Toronto, DJ and children’s activities.

Açores a Noite (Azores at Night) will be held on January 20 and feature live fado, cantoris das velhas and desgarradas, types of Azorean entertainment.

Ms Moniz DeSouza said: “We are especially excited for this event as we are holding it in memory of the late Eddie DeMello, who was a pioneer for the Portuguese community in Bermuda.

“Mr DeMello never forgot his roots and worked tirelessly to keep alive Portuguese traditions and promote Azorean culture in Bermuda. It is an honour for us to celebrate him.”

For more information on the charity and its events visit: www.facebook.com/groups/amigoscasaacoresbermuda or e-mail bdacasaacores@gmail.com