On February 20, 2010, tragedy struck the idyllic Portuguese island of Madeira when heavy rains caused flash flooding and landslides, resulting in dozens of deaths with several people still unaccounted for.

Tiago Pires (PRT), 29, current ASP World No. 24 and Portugal's first-ever competitor at the elite level, has pledged to donate his prize money from the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast to help those in Madeira suffering from the tragedy.


"I am donating my prize money to the Madeira island," Pires said. "There was a natural tragedy over there a few weeks ago, and it is still really bad. Madeira is an island off of Portugal and I go there a lot and I feel like it is part of me. I feel like it is part of my obligation to help. It is really far from me right now and I could not go there so this is the way I am helping. I am donating my prize money."

Anyone interested in aiding those affected by the Madeira tragedy, please use the following information:

BANIF BANK MADEIRA TRAGEDY DONATIONS:
BANIF

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com