More than 40 families caught escaping to second homes on Spain’s Costa Blanca over Palm Sunday weekends (35,501

APPLAUDING: Medical workers clap a patient who survived the virus at a hospital in Catalunya

Death won’t us part!

AN elderly couple married for 65 years have made a complete recovery from Coronavirus. The pair, both 88, were hospitalised after falling ill just days after celebrating their auspicious anniversary with their seven children. After two weeks in hospital - both on different floors - the

couple Jose Prieto and Guadalupe Matas, from Castilla la Mancha, were discharged having made a full recovery. According to a doctor, Guadalupe refused to be discharged until her husband had made a full recovery too. They were released from the hospital together to rapturous applause and posed the following day from the balcony of their home.

WE NEVER CLOSE Continuing our series on Expat Heroes, we take a look at Age Care, a charity supporting elderly Brits on the Costa del Sol

EXPAT HEROES

THEIR motto is ‘we never close’ and it is a promise that is putting to the test one of Andalucia’s best known expat charities. With the COVID-19 lockdown in full swing - and particularly important for pensioners - the charity is working harder to keep its members connected and offering support. Being by nature a ‘social group’ , it is, therefore, imperative that, when in confinement, everyone is stimulated mentally and physically. The charity which has many big-hearted helpers is making regular telephone calls, as well as sending out twice weekly bulletins with updates, jokes and recipes (on Tuesdays and Thursdays to correspond with the regular

coffee mornings, which are now on hold). They have also set up a video link, where people can talk to, and see their friends. As part of the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Group they are also offering their services to these vulnerable people with shopping and pharmacy trips, as well as hospital appointments.

The charity covers five areas, including Calahonda, Fuengirola, Coin and Benalmadena. Calahonda is the largest with nearly 200 members and 20 volunteers, led by Lesley Berridge. She has a Client Information Volunteer who has been invaluable for re-arranging medical appointments and liaising with the authorities. A crowdfunding page has been set up to make up for the shutting of the two key charity shops. In Benalmadena, its welfare leader Nigel Foster is regularly contacting his 20 members by phone to check they are ok and to offer emotional support and to help combat loneliness. All his other volunteers are back in the UK. Constance Denooij is the welfare leader in charge of the Guadalhorce valley, which has 48 active members, and four volunteers and three drivers helping out. Ray Mynott keeps an eye on the 80 clients in the Fuengirola area, usually with nine volunteers, and is doing a lot of shopping trips.

SMILING: A street sweeper on Barcelona’s famous La Rambla