- The event acknowledged the great work of Muriel Sadler, who is retiring from the service, and a moving homage was given to José Antonio Ivars, founder and deputy chief of the group who died of Covid-19.
Last Saturday Civil Protection Benitatxell held a party to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the creation of the local group. The event was attended by family and friends, the Council, Civil Protection groups from the region, representatives of the Local Police and Civil Guard and Teulada Moraira Lions Club.
It was a very emotional event which began with a few words of gratitude from the councillor of Security, María José Ivars, who acted as master of ceremonies. Ivars conveyed to the volunteers her sincere admiration for the selfless work and passion they put in every day. ‘These volunteers have been helping and serving their neighbours for fifteen years without asking for or getting anything in return, sacrificing themselves for the common good. They do hard and silent work that often goes unnoticed’.
This great task, the mayor stressed, has proved to be fundamental in such difficult times as the one suffered a few months ago with the DANA. Civil Protection group of Benitatxell was also there, ‘with mud up to their eyes, distributing help and sharing pain’. For this reason, the event was used to dedicate a minute’s silence for the victims of the tragedy.
After the minute’s silence, Arturo Esteve, head of Civil Protection, took the floor and focused on the word collaboration in capital letters. ‘I always say that we are collaboration for whatever, to help wherever we are required and needed, without substituting anyone and always altruistically’.
He also paused for a few seconds to recall the moments, good and bad, that the group has experienced, of which he said that ‘more than a group of people, we are a family’. ‘We have had to intervene in difficult situations, such as searches for people that did not end in the best way, health assistance or fires, Covid-19 pandemic or the recent DANA. All these interventions are services that we will never forget’.
He took the opportunity to thank each volunteer, highlighting their commitment to the group. ‘We all make a great effort that is not only to be where you have to be and the hours we do for the people, but also what you leave behind to be there, such as family or friends’.
The event continued with the acknowledgement of two volunteers. The first was for the colleague and founder of the group Muriel Sadler, who is retiring from the service. Next, a moving homage was given to José Antonio Ivars, founder and deputy chief of the group, who died of Covid-19 on April 4th, 2020. His father, José Ivars, received a medal of recognition posthumously.
The head of Civil Protection also presented gifts to the collaborating groups and entities, such as Teulada Moraira Lions Club, the Civil Guard of Xàbia and the Local Police, as well as to the mayor, Miguel Ángel García, and the councillor of Citizens’ Security, María José Ivars.
Finally, the councillor presented the medals for 15 years to José Andrades, Jesús Català, Arturo Esteve, Manuel López, Antonia Martínez, Daniel Mut, Jaime Pastor, Félix Rojas, Nick Cole, Muriel Sadler, Mike Sadler and Vicente Bolufer; 10-year certificates to Aarón Pastor and Caty Marín; 5-year certificates to Tobias Bernhardt, Cristian Aita, Joaquín González, Adrián Vallés, Sergio Cardona and Álvaro Pérez; and their first two-year certificate to Begoña Roig and Rocío Montiel.
The event was brought to a close by the mayor with a few words. García congratulated all the volunteers for the ‘great vocational work they do without financial remuneration. In these times, the fact that you do it for the simple reason of feeling fulfilled by helping others is to be admired’. The mayor also highlighted the initiative of the mayoress Josefa Ronda, who encouraged the creation of the group 15 years ago.
‘When the group was born, those of you who have been with it since its beginnings, I don’t know what expectations you had, but I can assure you that, to date, you have far exceeded them. Observing the great work, first from the outside before I met you and then from within the government team, I can ensure you that you are highly valued by the people of the town and the work you do is outstanding. You can be sure that, both now and in the future, you will always have the support of the Council. We will continue to be at your service every step of your way.’
