Volcanic ash in jars on sale to fund La Palma aid

'SOUVENIRS' of the La Palma volcanic eruption are now being sold, with all proceeds going towards helping those affected rebuild their lives and homes.

Chairwoman of the non-profit Geólogos del Mundo ('Geologists of the World'), Cristina Sapalski, says small pots or jars of lava, ash and other elements from the Cumbre Vieja eruption will be made up at the old JTI cigarette factory building, which was used as a coordination centre during the 85-day crisis which started on September 19.

She says the aim is that 'a remnant of the volcano finds its way to every home in Spain, and perhaps beyond', and for the lava and ash that caused the damage to the island's residents to compensate them for its own destruction by being turned into a source of donations.

Much of the funds will go to the Valle de Aridane PTA, supporting school children and their parents.

The charity will start sending out jars of volcanic material – different sizes are available, and each one comes with a slip to certify its origin – next week, although already, Geo-Solidarios La Palma has received donations totalling €20,252.

Environmental department boss from the island council, or Cabildo, of La Palma, María Rodríguez, says the authority has helped get the initiative off the ground with logistical and admin support and by generally lending a hand where it can.

Geólogos del Mundo's chairman Carlos García Royo says members are researching other ways the excess ash and cooled lava may be useable, given that there is such a high quantity of it that it would be impractical to simply dispose of it.

Agriculture, which remains the mainstay of La Palma's economy, could well be one industry that benefits, by using the ash in making compost to help regenerate farmland, García Royo explains.