The lunch, which took place on 11 March, brought together families and entrepreneurs affected by the tragedy, and was attended by the Portuguese President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, as well as about 700 people, representing the almost ten thousand volunteers who, immediately after the fires, provided support to the municipality and to its people.
The representatives of the different associations, collectives, companies and institutions that joined forces with the population of Oliveira do Hospital, among them EDP Distribuição, were also there to hear a meaningful and emotional "thank you". This gratitude was mirrored in 15 awards, celebrated during lunch, which recognised and honoured those who did everything to help.
"They are people from many different areas," explains José Carlos Alexandrino, Mayor of Oliveira do Hospital, pointing to the example of “Engineer Rafael of EDP" who "did an extraordinary job day and night" to solve the problem of energy cuts or "anonymous people", including the owner of a Mealhada restaurant and Father Luís Costa, as well as the Oliveira do Hospital and Lagares da Beira Volunteer Fire Brigade and the GNR police force.
All part of this universe of "notables" whom the municipality wanted to thank. António Rafael Ferreira, from the Mondego Grid and Concessions Department, took the stage on behalf of EDP Distribuição to receive the award, with the strong applause of all those present - in particular, João Torres (chairman of EDP Distribuição), António Catarino, Edite Carvalho, Albano Leandro and Filipa Sousa - proud colleagues at EDP Distribuição.
We applaud them as well.
