The Caritas Leiria seaside colony, which has been welcoming children, young people, the elderly and volunteers for 40 years, was damaged by Storm Kristin. Help us rebuild it.
The Caritas Diocesan Summer Camp of Leiria-Fátima has been a welcoming space for sharing and human growth for over 40 years. Throughout each summer, it receives around 260 children and young people from the Diocese of Leiria-Fátima, accompanied by 60 young volunteers who donate their time to serving others.
In 2024, the Colony expanded its mission with the creation of the Senior Colony , now also accommodating around 80 independent seniors — a response to the isolation and need for social interaction that so often marks this stage of life.
The Colony is still a sought-after space for institutions from the central region and other parts of the country , who bring elderly people and people with disabilities, as well as groups of young people for training and meetings.
On the night of January 28-29, 2025 , Storm Kristin caused significant damage to the seaside colony. The Leiria-Fátima Diocesan Caritas only began intervention in the facilities in April because it prioritized the families affected by the storm. The Emergency Fund created in the wake of Kristin is intended solely and exclusively to support the affected families—and it remains so.
Rebuilding the Colony is now the next step. Caritas cannot allow this space—which belongs to everyone—to cease fulfilling its mission.
With everyone's support, the Colony is reopening its doors.
About the author
Caritas Diocesana de Leiria is an institution of the Catholic Church, founded in 1977 , whose mission is to promote integral human development and combat poverty and social exclusion in the Diocese of Leiria-Fátima.
For almost five decades, Cáritas Diocesana de Leiria-Fátima has developed a comprehensive social response, supporting vulnerable families, the elderly, children and young people, through emergency programs, social support and training and awareness activities.
The scope of this mission was clearly demonstrated in the response to Storm Kristin , which devastated the region on the night of January 28-29, 2025. The institution mobilized immediately, creating the Social Emergency Fund to Support Victims of Storm Kristin, entirely dedicated to supporting affected families. More than 800 families were supported with food supplies, with over 360 tons of food distributed. The Fund raised approximately €2.3 million, managed with rigor, transparency, and independent external auditing.
The seaside colony is one of the most emblematic initiatives of Cáritas Diocesana — a space that, for over 40 years, has translated the institution's commitment to the most vulnerable into action, providing moments of rest, companionship, and growth to those who need it most.
Budget and due dates
Adjusted — I replaced all occurrences of "Cáritas Diocesana de Leiria-Fátima" with "Cáritas Diocesana de Leiria" in the text:
The Seaside Colony: a social service for decades at the service of the community.
The Caritas Diocesan Seaside Colony of Leiria, on Pedrógão Beach, is a social service deeply rooted in the diocese, annually welcoming nearly 250 children and young people in situations of economic and social vulnerability, as well as groups of elderly people, in a program that promotes the fight against social isolation, active aging, and the integral development of the participants. For many of these families, this is the only opportunity for holidays and socializing by the sea that they have throughout the year. It is also a space for training and growth for dozens of young volunteers who dedicate their time to this mission every summer.
Given the structural damage suffered by the building, Cáritas Diocesana de Leiria has committed to fully restoring the seaside colony and resuming its activities by 2026. Due to the urgency of the situation, the institution immediately proceeded with contracting the necessary companies, without waiting for the conclusion of this campaign to begin the most critical interventions.
Current status of the work: Approximately 90% of the planned work is currently completed or in its final stages — an effort that reflects Cáritas' unwavering commitment to this social service and to all those who depend on it.
The total amount already awarded to the companies responsible for the recovery is €153,755.22 , distributed across the following areas of intervention:
Works and infrastructure — €88,049.85
- Roof reconstruction, gutters and associated works — €30,000.00
- Painting of walls and ceilings — €49,181.55
- Vinyl flooring in the bedrooms — €5,381.25
- PVC false ceiling — €3,487.05
Window and door frames and carpentry — €12,677.16
- Replacement of aluminum/PVC windows — €5,123.21
- Doors, railings, glass and various carpentry — €7,553.95
Technical installations — €20,882.71
- Electrical installation — €8,277.65
- Solar thermal panels — €10,464.84
- Lighting — €2,140.22
Furniture and equipment — €32,145.50
- Furniture for bedrooms, living rooms and dining room — €23,756.04
- Chairs, benches, sofas and miscellaneous equipment — €8,389.46
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