Estepona Friday night market puts local charities in the square

Estepona’s volunteer platform returns to Plaza Antonia Guerrero this Friday, September 4, for its late summer Mercadillo Solidario (charity market). Tables go up from 7pm to 11pm so local non-profits can talk about their work, look to recruit helpers for the new season, and sell bits and bobs to keep projects going.

When the stalls open

Plaza Antonia Guerrero is in the town centre and already hosts Christmas markets and other civic events. Friday’s session is an evening one, which suits residents who work during the day and visitors still out after supper. It’s also the coolest time to be browsing local charity work. Organisers describe it as a yearly summer meeting rather than a one-off fair. No full stall list has been published for this year, so the only way to see who turned up is to walk the square.

What the money supports

Each association keeps what it takes on the night and passes it directly onto the charity it supports. Past charity markets have included cancer support, disability groups, animal rescue, Cruz Roja and similar outfits. Some of those animal tables draw a lot of British and other foreign helpers, even though the platform itself is a Spanish umbrella set up in 2007. Anyone who wants to volunteer is invited to speak to the groups on the night rather than waiting for a form online.

How to chip in

Buying a small item is the simplest way to help. Talking to stallholders is the next: they want members and extra hands as much as cash. Related fundraising on the Costa del Sol includes Cancelada’s charity night markets, AECC flea markets in the same municipality, St George charity shops in Estepona and Sabinillas and ACE’s year-round collections for local causes. Foreign residents looking for a wider network can also see AREME’s 20-year community work.

Bring loose change, a bit of patience in the square and a question for whoever is behind the next table.