Sarah Carrier’s mother in tears hugs Tony and Evo Lucas

TV didn’t show it, but at the end of the Sara Carreira Association party, Fernanda Antunes took to the stage to thank each of the performers in a dozen hugs.

The SIC live broadcast from the Centro Cultural de Belém (CCB), in Lisbon, ended minutes ago when, after a few moments of conviction, Fernanda Antunes went on stage Gala dos Sonhos and greeted all audiences individually. Last Wednesday, I worked to encourage donations to Associação Sara Carreira. The artist’s mother, who lost her life nearly a year ago – to be completed on Sunday 5 December -, dressed in all pink, in the colors of the association, took to the stage with the support of her friends. She hugged the participants and did not hide her emotions and tears in greetings to Evo Lucas – the actor and musician who drove the overturned car in the Santarem district – and singer Barbara Bandera and her ex-husband Tony Carrera. These were the moments TV stopped showing. The businesswoman was comforted by her eldest son, Mikael.

Fernanda Antunes’ gesture was one of the highlights of the evening when the association, which helps 21 disadvantaged scholarship holders, raised its first €207,000.

After Micael Carrera said on stage that losing his sister was “an endless pain” and David said no one in the family “expected to go through this moment,” Tony Carrera spoke to JN during one of the breaks. The singer thought the entire show, along with SIC Director Daniel Oliveira, and Producer Fremantle, showed himself proud of what was happening in the CCB main hall. “This is a very important job for me. I enjoy the show, mainly because of the hearts of the people, my colleagues, the artists, the TV presenters.” Tony Carrera highlighted “This solidarity. It’s the first concert, I did not create expectations, but I am very happy with the generosity.”

Behind the scenes at the ceremony, several celebrities were at a call center to raise funds from viewers, who donated sums ranging from four to 500 euros to Associação Sara Carreira.

Joao Manzara was the magician on duty, and there were many live performances and poem readings with Julia Pinheiro, Ricardo Carrico and Claudia Vieira. The actress reminded our newspaper of the moment she met Sarah Carrera. “When I introduced ‘Idols’, Sarah accompanied her dad to the studio. I watched ‘Strawberry with Sugar’, she had posters for us at home and felt so much interest in her. My daughter Maria even spent a day with her and Sarah’s disappearance came as a shock.” Claudia Vieira is the ambassador of the association. “It was a very special and emotional night. I am available to collaborate on whatever it takes.”

On the other hand, Paulo Batista was responsible for designing the costumes for Mikael and David Carrera. The famous tailor told JN that the family “still had a hard time believing in the death of Sarah,” the “special girl.” Paulo Batista is one of the godparents of 21 Associação Sara Carreira scholarship holders.