Good Neighbour Kay is rewarded

judged by an international panel and endorsed by the UK Ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott.

Kay Rowbottom, also known by her stage name, Kay Frances, was nominated by some of the many women she has helped at difficult stages in their lives. Inspired by a chance encounter with someone who had lost members of her family and was feeling very isolated, Kay, who was not sure how she could help directly, set up a Facebook page to attract support for the woman. Not long after, Kay changed it to a closed group to give women a means of online support and information, a non­judgemental safe haven where they could provide mutual support to one another. It was welcomed by Spanish women and English speakers alike.

Since that small beginning in Mojacar, Kay Frances SturdygirlsRus has grown to include almost 1,500 members all over the world.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

“Some of our original members were so lonely and isolated, that they only needed people who could say good morning or good night to them through the group. But others were self­employed and breadwinners for their families and during lockdown were not able to work. Hearing this, those in our group who could afford to help, provided food for around 24 families throughout lockdown.

Kay has worked to support the Lions and in return they have offered support to SturdygirlsRus. A professional singer, Kay has helped organised large scale concerts such as ‘Party in the Park’ to raise funds for the Lions and for Macs cancer support.

Great Hotel

THE Great Hotels ‘Ciudad de Almería’ will soon be added to the hotel offer in Almeria city.

It is the former NH, located opposite the Intermodal Station, which will soon reopen under the Great Hotels chain with the intention of becoming one of the hotel complexes of reference.

The facilities are undergoing an in­depth refurbishment.

The reopening date is not yet official. Although there was speculation it would be in March, the owner prefers to say that it will be “soon.”

In the last few weeks, the hotel’s name and the chain’s logo have been installed on the façade of the hotel. Inside, work has been going on for several months to modernise the facilities and repair damage to the water pumps and air conditioning, as well as the installation of new boilers and many other repairs.