Season › 2023-24 › Opinion › Talking Points Viña del Mar, Chile Fire Appeal, 2024 by John Shearon | 06/02/2024 14 Comments [Jump to last] As many of you will have seen, the town of Viña del Mar, home of Everton Chile, was devastated by fires that swept through many of the poorer districts this last weekend (2-3 February). The area is used to natural disasters, coping with earthquakes and fires regularly, but this event is one of the worst in living memory. Three thousand homes have been destroyed, the death count is almost 130 with hundreds more still missing, and the authorities are struggling to cope with the task of helping the victims. At the Ruleteros Society we have worked with Everton groups in Viña del Mar since 2002, helping with such events when we have been able. We have launched an appeal for donations which we have posted on the various social media platforms and hope that you might be able to contribute too. Donations can be sent to the Ruleteros Society bank account: The Ruleteros Society Article continues below video content Sort Code – 16-24-28 Account No – 10067326 Donations will provide much-needed food and clothing which will be distributed by the members of the Everton Former Players Association and Corporación Deportiva Everton – two organisations close to the areas affected with a history of working within the community. → View the appeal flyer Return to Talking Points index : Add your Comments » Reader Comments (14) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer () Jim Milner 1 Posted 07/02/2024 at 09:13:11 Thank you for highlighting this, I think I might be a good idea if I share this on social media to as every little helps and I will be donating to the appeal. Paul Wharton 2 Posted 08/02/2024 at 11:19:56 Thanks for highlighting this, gentleman. I will look to donate to this worthwhile cause, keep up the good work Ruleteros Society. Mike Owen 3 Posted 09/02/2024 at 09:52:05 There have been times over the last couple of years that I've felt burnt out after watching our Everton.But the pictures of the devastation to homes in Vina del Mar, home of the Everton in Chile, convey a bleakness, a sadness and a sense of desperation that transcends our troubles.I've just made a donation. It may be the only positive thing I do today. But I am pleased to assist. Ian Bikeman 4 Posted 10/02/2024 at 13:28:44 Well done Ruleteros Society! Edward Rogers 5 Posted 10/02/2024 at 15:37:08 John, did you go to SFX early seventies? Dennis Stevens 6 Posted 10/02/2024 at 19:59:59 I've sent a small donation, wish I could afford more. John Shearon 8 Posted 12/02/2024 at 20:10:00 Hi, Eddie,Yes – long time no see. I still remember the caning received at Old Trafford in the League Cup in '76 – happy days. Paul Ferry 9 Posted 13/02/2024 at 03:45:29 We – St Mary's, Crosby – used to give you SFX lads a right hammering in cross-country in the mid-70s!Nice that you two bumped into each other on here. Are you both still in the city? John Shearon 10 Posted 13/02/2024 at 10:21:36 Hi, Paul,Re the cross-country, no surprise there. I used to hide at the set-off in Black Woods and join the group when it returned.I now live near Bilbao in the Basque Country but get back as often as I can (4 wins out 4 so far – zero goals conceded). Edward Rogers 11 Posted 13/02/2024 at 18:02:04 Hi John,Funny how I can remember most of the lads' names from school yet, according to the 'good lady', I can't remember what I did yesterday!Hope life has been good to you and continues to do so. As for St Mary's and cross-country, Mr Ferry, can't argue with that, try as I did, just too good. John Shearon 12 Posted 14/02/2024 at 10:24:16 Eddie, it was only 46 years ago, ffs. Edward Rogers 13 Posted 14/02/2024 at 11:20:21 Seems like yesterday, John!As for school and our trip to Old Trafford, not sure what was the more frightening, trying to evade the bloody Mancs that night or the five years under the 'tutelage' of Father 'Butch' McMorrow. 😰 Graham Williams 14 Posted 14/02/2024 at 18:51:37 I agree with Mike - events like this put other woes and worries into perspective. They will be of interest and concern to Evertonians everywhere.I've made a contribution.I'm assuming the Everton stadium in Viña – the Sausalito, and venue for one of the World Cup semi-finals in 1962 – has not been affected, as it's not been mentioned. John Shearon 16 Posted 14/02/2024 at 22:51:27 Thanks for all the donations. We'll be updating everyone with progress made shortly.The ground has not been affected – first match of the season, Palestino this weekend – you couldn't make it up. 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