You can make a difference

THE British Benevolent Fund was founded over a century ago to provide help for those Britons in Spain in extreme financial distress.

Over its many years of existence, the BBF has acted as a ‘charity of last resort’ for those who have nowhere else to turn. It has seen more than in its fair share of the worst that life can throw and the resilience of people once they have a lifeline.

Sometimes a small amount makes a big difference.

Barry was a 62, had been living as a resident in Spain for years, lived alone doing seasonal and temporary work.

When the pandemic began, he was an early casualty ­ but there was no work ­ the bars closed, and the streets empty. He applied for state aidwhich was declined ­ had no savings and with no income was forced to go to food banks and charities to survive. He did not have the rent to pay and would soon be on the streets.

And there was no sign of work. One of the charities who were helping Barry was one of the BBF’s many partner charities found at https://www.sup portinspain.info/ who got in touch with us to see if there was a way to helping him through.

The BBF always looks for a solution and any funds are used in order to find one ­ in this case ­ there was no work and the BBF does not have the resources for ongoing payments.

But a plan was put togetherin the hope that work would come ­ and he would move out of the apartment and move to a room in a shared property.

The lifeline was just enoughwithin a few weeks he had found some part time work and then a few weeks later some more work.

Within a year he was managing a bar on the coast.

It was a long year coming ­ and Barry had many dark days but the lifeline kept him goingfinancially and more importantly that people wanted to help spurred him to every effort to get back on his feet. Where he remains. dealing with the lorries that trundle through our city at top speed. They have no consideration for our local traffic that potters onto the main road to take perhaps the very next exit to the supermarket. It is completely incongruous to have heavy loaded traffic ignoring our safety whilst often intimidating us by tailgating. I think they should be made to use the toll road and only allowed down into the city at the nearest point to where they’re headed, with a permit! In the meanwhile, be aware.

The BBF can only help people like Barry with your help ­ if you would like to support our work with a donation please visit our website to see how www.britishbenevolentfund.or g. Thank you. Olaf Clayton, BBF Chair.

On this note all of us should realise that comparably our cars can also be a massive threat to motorcyclists, cyclists and nowadays motorised scooters, defenceless against our lack of deliberation. Remember to look in the mirrors and signal before making a manoeuvre, even if just changing lanes. Just because we see a parking space or think we’ve taken a wrong turn does not mean we can pull off or onto the road without sufficient warning to those circulating around us.

And finally, dear pedestrians, don’t put blind faith and trust in the zebra crossings. They’re all too frequently placed at the exit of main roads and on roundabouts, leaving little time to react, in a country that doesn’t automatically stop even in the best of circumstances.