4 minute read
We help with your support
THE British Benevolent Fund was founded over a century ago to help those Britons in Spain facing extreme financial distress.
In that time the expat community has grown a hundredfold while the number of visitors has reached heights unforeseen back then.
Of the 18 million plus visitors from the UK to Spain each year the vast majority are without incident and not all visitors are here for a two week break on the beach. Many come to see friends and family.
The UK consulates do an incredible job sorting out problems when they arise but many people are under the mistaken view that the consulates can also pay for someone’s repatriation or expenses if things go wrong.
Earlier this week we were alerted by a UK consular office of a young British woman who had come out to see her boyfriend who was working in a bar at a coastal resort.
She had planned to spend a few weeks maybe longer and was thinking that maybe if things worked out she would stay and see how things went.
Nothing concrete just an idea in her head to be with a guy she liked and was starting to think of something more long term.
It turned out to be the opposite in fact within a few days she had already seen that not only was he a very heavy drinker but was violent towards her, so much so that the first day she was too numb to move.
He started attacking her the next night after a drinking session and hit her repeatedly causing injury. This time she screamed for help and fled into the night.
She was picked up by a Guardia Civil patrol and taken into town she used the last of her money for a ticket home and tried to make the flight but she arrived too late and had to contact the local consulate for help as she had no friends or family who could help they in turn contacted the BBF to pay for her flight home which we were able to do on the same day.
She is now back home. We can only help people with your support. If you would like to make a donation please visit www.british benevolentfund.org to see how you can make the difference. Thank you on behalf of all the beneficiaries of your generosity.
Olaf Clayton, Chair
Unvarnished news LETTERS
I have recently taken on a new role with Euro Weekly News and am Editorial Consultant reviewing the type and style of articles that are published both in the seven weekly editions of the newspaper as well as the web page.
One story that we have been concentrating on, which appears to be ignored by much of the mainstream media, is the plight of some 104 followers of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light sect who have been arrested and allegedly tortured due to their beliefs in Turkey.
It has been quite incredible how many supporters of this peaceful faith community which follows many of the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed have read and responded to these articles thanking Euro Weekly News for reporting their case.
Many of the comments are in Arabic but EWN has arranged for them to be translated into English so that readers can understand their comments.
It is very heartwarming to know that the largest English language newspaper in Spain is reaching across the world and doing something, no mater how little, to spread the unvarnished news.
Visit https://euroweeklynews.com/ 2023/05/27/104membersofareligiousminorityfaceimprisonmentorexecutionontheturkishbulgarianborder/ to read the full story.
John Smith Editorial Consultant EWN
Tourism fight back
There is a Facebook group called ‘180 days in Spain’ trying to get the UK government to reach a bilateral agreement with the Spanish government giving UK citizens equal rights to those of EU citizens arriving in the UK, who can stay for six months without a visa. This would help UK citizens who own homes in Spain and allow for both Easter holidays and summer holidays.
David Candlish
To David Worboys
“Third, cats are discreet…”
And where do you think they poop? That’s right, they poop in the neighbour’s property! These selfish animals keep their home clean. That’s why they prefer the clean garden of the neighbour very social!
Maybe people will get cats because they have the same mindset and traits BRAVO! Sometimes your column is useful, but this time it was an illconsidered own goal...
Regards Ralph / Torre del Mar
Hi Anna
Just a quick thank you for running our football donation article. It was a great advert for the club.
Regards Duncan
Leapy
You’re welcome Graham. Yours is the first page I turn to when the paper comes out every week. I like a person who speaks their mind, and I sometimes share your column with friends in Britain. Many say that wouldn’t be allowed over there, but like your honesty.
Keep up the good work.
Hi Lee
Regards Colin
100% agree with your comments in EWN I presume that you have read ‘Brave New World’ by Aldous Huxley. Prescient is a word that comes to mind.
Have you looked at Reform Party? I reckon they deserve a chance.
Vids worth watching:
History debunked
Rotten Politics
Mahyar Tousi
...and in USA:
Crossroads with Joshua Philipp
Best regards and keep up the great work!! Max
Jumped ship
Well, I expect you have heard by now that Britain’s answer to Trump has resigned. Even in his resignation statement Boris Johnson can’t tell the truth. He isn’t being forced out anti democratically. His departure is a nail in the Brexit coffin, which I expect you will have a comment to make about. He’s looked at the report, he knows the damage it will create, so he is avoiding the humiliation. He jumped before he was pushed.
I expect you know that there are now eight ex PMs and they are entitled to public financial support which was established after Margaret Thatcher resigned. The PDCA allows a former prime minister to claim up to £115,000 a year paid for by the tax payer. Of course they can earn a lot more on top of that by travelling around the world making speeches, while the average British tax payer struggles to pay electricity, gas, water and food bills.
Trump and Johnson are both Americans, both born in New York, both got silly hair cuts, both lie. The only difference is Johnson hasn’t got a ginger face.
Regards Colin
