We’re making a contribution

THE British Benevolent Fund was founded over a century ago to help those Britons in Spain in extreme financial distress. Many times, this distress is exasperated or caused by illness ­ mental or physical impairing an individual’s ability to earn an income.

We are presently struggling with a case of Susan, a young mother of two children who came to Spain with her husband. They both worked remotely for UK companies, but were resident in Spain and eligible for health support.

They had been here for a relatively short time when shortly before Christmas the husband took ill and was rushed to hospital where they diagnosed multiple organ failure which included the liver.

He was taken to an emergency ward where he still is receiving 24­hour care and awaiting a liver transplant. He remains in a critical condition.

Neither he nor his wife had any insurance for any such eventuality and with the loss of income it meant she has had to cut back to the basics for the children. Their respective families have chipped in small amounts, but nobody is able to fund their situation for any length of time.

The doctors have given him a slim chance ­ but a fighting one.

A suitable donor is being awaited and they calculate around two to three months.

In the meantime, bills need to be paid ­ even with her reduced income ends don’t meet. Rent, food, utility, travel to and from the hospital and two children to take care of.

Much depends on the outcome of the operation ­ but in the shorter term we are trying to help Susan get through what must be an unbearable situation to face every day.

State support is not available to them as they have only been in Spain for a short time and not made the necessary contributions.

We have agreed an amount to cover her immediate needs ­ to make up the shortfall from what she is able to earn and make a contribution to some of the accrued expenses for the children.

And we wait for a better outcome.

We can only help people like Susan with your support, if you would like to make a donation to help her and many others who face the worst that life can throw please visit www.british benevolentfund.org

Thank

you,

Olaf Clayton, Chair, BBF