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Issue 630
This issue marks the 200th article by RTN lawyers Thank you from all at RTN for keeping our readers up to date with important and timely legal information. Read this week’s W&B article on Page 25 and see their advert every week on Page 2.
11 - 17 NOV 2011
Pioneering charity platform by Louise Clarke WEDNESDAY SAW a definitive day for the people of Orihuela Costa. It was the day when three of the major charitable organisations in the area agreed to form a ‘Charity Platform’ to ensure that every coastal resident will benefit from the wide, varied and beneficial services which they provide. A meeting took place at the La Zenia Church between representatives of Caritas, Help at Home and Age Concern; all of whom are registered charitable organisations within the Orihuela Municipality and RTN was extremely privileged to have been invited to attend. STRONGER
RBL Golf Day
Noel Eastwell with Dionne Budd and RBL Torrevieja Branch Chairman, Gill Burden
By Louise Clarke A GOLF day was held at the El Plantio Golf Course in Alicante last Friday in aid of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal. Despite the atrocious weather conditions nearly 30 golfers took on the 18-hole course near Alicante Airport and in the process the Torrevieja Branch of the RBL managed to raise a whopping 900€. Christine Scully did it for the girls and came in first place, followed by young golfer Oliver Jacobson with Alan Gifford in third place. The holes were kindly sponsored by local businesses, all of whom donated generously to the event. RTN’s Golf Guru, Noel Eastwell, based at the El Plantio Golf Club, said: “Despite the rain and the fact that the golfers had to walk the entire course as buggies were not allowed, they managed to raise quite a lot of money for what is a really good cause.”
The meeting was chaired by the Parish Priest, Father Joaquin Carlos Carlos, who said that it was very important that all the charities work together for the benefit of the needy on the coast. He said: “This meeting has been organised so that we can all get to know one another and find out what services we all provide. We must work together for the needs of the community, because together we will be stronger and we will provide a louder voice.” Each charity was given the opportunity to explain exactly what they do for their beneficiaries. OBLIGATION Everyone at the meeting wholeheartedly agreed that the social services provision in the Orihuela Costa was woefully inadequate. Norah Bond, President of HAH, said: “To get a social services referral in Torrevieja it takes between four and six weeks. Here in Orihuela Costa, I know of cases which, two years later, are still waiting to be dealt with by the social services. And that is a disgrace.” The Priest also acknowledged the serious situation with the coastal social services department. He said: “The department has an obligation to tend to the needs of the residents in Orihuela Costa but they do not seem to want to help. They have relied on Caritas and other associations to do all the work and that is no longer acceptable, hence why this new platform is so vitally important. As a platform, we can fight for those people who have legal rights to benefits and support from the social services in Orihuela Costa.” Continued on page 3