We were in Almuñécar this morning to report on the essential goods being collected for Valencia and had the chance to speak with the Mayor, Juan Jose Ruíz Joya.

This was taking place in the municipal stadium this morning and it will continue this afternoon after a break for lunch.

Just about all the councillors were there, mucking in, stacking the water bottles and other prime necessities as they came in.

The response from the people of Almuñécar and La Herradura has been tremendous; the two storerooms allocated for the collection had all their walls lined with everything from the most import, water, to hygiene items and baby food, nappies, etc.

The Mayor told us that since they began this morning they had already filled two articulated-lorry trailers with palletes stacked with water. Asked who was transporting it, he responded that the Town Hall had been coordinating with the Asociacion de Municipios de Valencia, which was organising the drop off points and the distribution at that end.

But besides this official arrangement, many people from the town were using their own transport (companies and individuals) to take much needed items to Valencia.

Sometimes too much uncoordinated help can actually hinder – many will have seen the streams of young people coming out of Valencia heading on foot to the worst affected towns, armed with shovels and brooms.

If you would like to contribute a donation then go to the municipal sports stadium on Monday: they will be there both in the morning and in the afternoon. You can donate items or donate your time.

This sort of reaction from people is happening all across Spain, from large cities to villages; a groundswell of solidarity.

(News: Almunecar, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)

Keywords: Paiporta, Valencia, Donations, Collections, Municipal Sports Stadium, Mayor, Flood