Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
In a beautiful display of laughter, live music, and unwavering community togetherness, the Save a Life (SAL) campaign smashed fundraising records at its glittering charity gala held at La Sierra Restaurant in Cerrado del Águila Golf & Resort on Friday, November 28.
The event, which drew tonnes of residents from across the Costa del Sol, raised an astonishing €5,345 – enough to fully fund the purchase and installation of three new life-saving defibrillators in the Mijas Costa area.
Celebration of life and community
“We are absolutely blown away by the generosity and energy everyone brought to the evening,” said Gerry Hannam, the campaign’s driving force and a cardiac arrest survivor himself. It was more than just another fundraiser; it was a celebration of life and the power of our community coming together. With this support, they’re one step closer to ensuring no one in Mijas has to face what Gerry and Jenny, his wife, did without immediate help.
The night kicked off at 7pm with guests mingling over welcome drinks, followed by a sumptuous three-course meal at 7.30pm (La Sierra always lays on exquisite meals), complete with included beverages. Entertainment was provided by local favourites Ben James and Ricky Lavazza, whose performances had the crowd on their feet and singing along well into the evening.
The triumph builds on the SAL campaign’s meteoric rise since its launch earlier this year. Inspired by Hannam’s own brush with death in December 2024 – when he collapsed on London’s Waterloo Bridge during a festive outing with his wife Jenny – the initiative has transformed potential personal tragedy into a grassroots movement. An off-duty paramedic’s CPR and a defibrillator rushed from the nearby National Theatre saved Gerry’s life that day, a story that has resonated deeply with expats. Back in Calahonda, the couple’s search for nearby defibrillators revealed a terrifying gap in public access, causing them to rally the community for change.
What started as a call to action has snowballed into tangible impact. To date, SAL has installed two publicly accessible defibrillators in Calahonda, each registered with the Andalusian Health Authority for seamless integration with emergency services via 112 calls. These devices, costing over €2,000 apiece, are user-friendly and can double or triple survival rates in cardiac arrests when used promptly. One existing unit at Finca Naundrup sports club has already saved a life during a padel match, revealing the urgency of the cause.
Rapidly growing cause inspires other communities to take up the challenge
The La Sierra gala marks a new milestone, with the freshly raised funds earmarked for three additional installations set to go live as early as Monday. Next, the Hannams plan to advise those many others who have approached them from other towns who plan to do the same. But, the plan does not only focus on defibrillators; Gerry said, “we are receiving enquiries from communities who want to purchase them and other private areas where we won’t fund but can advise on our suppliers and offer training on CPR which is as important as the machine itself.”
The campaign’s success is a testament to the collaborative strength of togetherness of the Costa del Sol community, a community like no other, from local businesses and volunteers. Recent highlights include a rainy but spirited “Walk for Save a Life” on November 15, which raised €1,180 despite the downpour. A complementary quiz night at Sol Bar added another €292, bringing the combined total from those events to €1,472 – a vital boost toward the third defibrillator before the gala even began. Earlier fundraisers, like the September 24 evening at Pals Bar featuring Ben James, further fuelled the momentum with raffles and live music.
Save a Life events for 2026
Looking ahead, the community calendar is buzzing with more ways to get involved. Stick them in your diaries for the next major event: a Golf Day on Saturday, January 31, 2026, organised by Business 1st Viewpoint. This all-day tournament promises fun on the fairways, networking, and plenty of opportunities to support SAL’s mission. Details on entry, sponsorships, and tee times will be announced soon via the SAL Facebook page.
