News

Grupo Alves Bandeira has been awarded an Honourable Mention by the Portuguese Firefighters League, as part of the 2025 Firefighter Merit Award, in recognition of its continued and significant contribution to strengthening and supporting the mission of Portuguese firefighters.

The distinction was presented during the central celebrations of National Firefighter Day, held in the city of Paredes, at a ceremony that brought together around 600 firefighters from across the country and was attended by the Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves.

The awarding of this Honourable Mention followed a proposal submitted by the Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firefighters of Vila Nova de Poiares, which highlighted Grupo Alves Bandeira’s role as an organisation that, over the years, has consistently contributed to supporting the activity and mission of firefighters within local communities.

Over more than 50 years, this commitment has been reflected in regular collaboration with initiatives promoted by fire brigades, as well as in the development of solidarity campaigns and actions aimed at supporting the work of firefighters throughout the country.

Among the Group’s most emblematic initiatives is the national campaign "Heroes Without Capes”. Held in 2017, in partnership with the Portuguese Firefighters League, this initiative raised more than 150,000 euros in donations, fully allocated to supporting several fire brigades across Portugal.

In parallel with these support measures and initiatives, Grupo Alves Bandeira has also developed a structured partnership model, called AB Vantagem, which currently includes more than 1,000 partner associations across the country, including several fire brigades, and represents a total annual donation value of more than 250,000 euros.

According to Pedro Bandeira, Board Member of Grupo Alves Bandeira, "it is a true source of pride to receive this distinction. For us, it is also a privilege to be close to and contribute to the mission of those who give so much to all Portuguese people. That is why my first words today are of admiration, gratitude and respect for the courage, attitude and dedication that all these ‘heroes without capes’ show every day in defending our country and people’s lives, whether through their permanent assistance to the population or their fight against fires.”

This recognition reinforces Grupo Alves Bandeira’s commitment to social responsibility and to supporting institutions that play an essential role in the development and protection of local communities.