The special service at Sao Bento Church, Ribeira Brava

THOUSANDS of people packed churches across Madeira on Sunday to mark the first anniversary of the devastating floods which killed 42 and left more than 600 homeless.

In the community of one of the worst-hit areas, Ribeira Brava, which has close links to Jersey, hundreds of people packed São Bento Church for a special remembrance mass.

So many attended the service, which was led by Father Bernardino Trindade, who regularly visits Jersey and who is currently overseeing the Jersey Side by Side project in the village, that television screens were used to broadcast the proceedings to the crowds outside.

More than £100,000 donated by people in Jersey to an appeal run by Jersey Side by Side during the weeks following the floods is helping to build an extension to a retirement home for elderly people left homeless by the floods.

That money is now being used to build accommodation for 15 elderly residents of Ribeira Brava, whose homes were completely destroyed by the floods.

• Words: Lucy Mason

• Pictures: Matthew Hotton

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