Behind the beaches and the sunshine, the Costa del Sol has a huge heart. All along the coast, charities run by volunteers rescue animals, feed families, care for the sick and keep older people company, and nearly all of them rely on local people giving a little time, money or kindness.
Whether you’ve just moved here or you’ve lived on the coast for years, here are some of the local charities we love, and simple ways you can help.
ARCH: Andalusian Rescue Centre for Horses
ARCH is Chilli FM’s own nominated charity. Since 2009, it has rescued horses, ponies and donkeys from neglect and abandonment across Andalucía, caring for them at its centre in Alhaurín el Grande and finding them loving new homes.
How to help: donate, sponsor a horse, volunteer at the centre or come along to one of their fundraising days. Read why we support ARCH or visit horserescuespain.org.
ADANA: Abandoned Dogs in Estepona
ADANA, the Association for the Rights of Abandoned Animals, is a volunteer-run charity in Estepona that shelters abandoned, sick and injured dogs and finds them new homes. ADANA never puts down a healthy animal.
How to help: adopt a dog, walk dogs at the shelter, donate, or shop and donate at the ADANA charity shop in Estepona. Visit adana.es.
Triple A Marbella: Friends of Abandoned Animals
Triple A is Marbella’s animal shelter, caring for around 500 dogs and cats from the Marbella and San Pedro area. It’s mostly run by volunteers and has a no-kill policy.
How to help: rehome a pet, become a member, volunteer or donate. Please book an appointment before visiting the shelter. Visit tripleamarbella.org.
Cudeca: Hospice Care
Cudeca provides free palliative care to people with cancer and other advanced illnesses, and support for their families, across the province of Málaga. Its charity shops are a familiar sight along the coast.
How to help: donate clothes, books and furniture to a Cudeca shop, shop there, volunteer or join one of their fundraising events. Visit cudeca.org.
Bancosol: The Costa del Sol Food Bank
Bancosol collects food that would otherwise go to waste and passes it to local organisations that support families in need across the province of Málaga.
How to help: drop food at a supermarket collection point during their campaigns, volunteer at a collection or donate. Visit bancosol.info.
Cáritas Málaga
Cáritas helps people in difficulty in every town on the coast, with food, clothing, advice and support finding work, through local parish groups and volunteers.
How to help: donate or volunteer with your local Cáritas group. Visit caritasmalaga.es.
Easy Ways Anyone Can Help
- Shop at charity shops and donate the things you no longer need. Many local charities run them all along the coast.
- Give a few hours. Walking dogs, sorting donations or helping at an event makes a real difference, and it’s a great way to meet people if you’re new here.
- Adopt, don’t shop. Thinking about a dog or cat? The shelters are full of animals waiting for a home.
- Go to the fundraisers. Fun days, quiz nights and dog shows are some of the best days out on the coast.
- Spread the word. Share their appeals with friends and on social media.
Run a Local Charity?
We love helping good causes on the Costa del Sol. If your charity has an event or an appeal coming up, get in touch with Chilli FM, and you can add your event to our events page too.
Because here on the coast, community spirit is as warm as the sunshine.
