Helping Brits in Spain

A couple of months ago, a British citizen who had been living in Spain for several years ran out of money and was served with an eviction notice on her flat. A disabled pensioner with no immediate family, she faced becoming homeless. The British Benevolent Fund (BFF) was contacted and provided funds to ensure she could be repatriated back to the UK and they arranged for her a temporary stay in a hotel until local social services sorted out her accommodation. Helping British people in need here in Spain—like this woman—is what the British Benevolent Fund is all about, and it’s been doing this doing since 1933. With increasing concern about the well-being of British emigrants in EU countries in the wake of Brexit, the British Benevolent Fund is reaching out to the British expat community to let everyone know that help is available and that though they may feel destitute, they are not alone.

Over the years The British Benevolent Fund has helped people suffering from Alzheimer’s, mental health problems, cancer, learning disabilities, stroke and heart attack victims to name but a few. It has also helped many without any health issues but who find themselves isolated and without assistance. The case support team considers each application individually. Financial aid can be dispensed with alacrity thanks to the charity’s structure which allows for expediency and discretion at all times.

How the BBF Works

Fundraising is a key activity of the British Benevolent Fund’s dedicated volunteer team. Funds are gratefully received from many individual donors who recognize how important it is to provide support to British citizens who find themselves in difficult circumstances whilst in Spain. Other funds come from events which help to raise awareness of the charity’s mission, goals and purpose as well as bringing in money for the cause.

New Ways to Help Brits in Spain

The British Benevolent Fund has formed a local sub-committee in Barcelona where a small group of volunteers are leading efforts to raise money through donations and events to be staged locally throughout 2019. Their inaugural event will take place on May 10th at the Restaurant Sant Gervasi at 20:00 where guests will enjoy a Scottish fish & chips meal served in style. The venue is ideal for bringing together a group of like-minded people to have a pleasant evening raising money for a good cause. If you would like to attend this event, you can register here: Scottish Fish & Chips at Restaurant Sant Gervasi

Future events penciled into their local diary include private exhibition viewings at prominent Barcelona venues, private yacht trips from Barcelona, an organized walk in partnership with an established local group and fundraising events with schools, businesses and churches that are linked to the British community. We are sure that many readers of the Barcelona Metropolitan will actively support these events and the good work undertaken by the British Benevolent Fund.

For more information and to be kept up to date of events local to Barcelona, please subscribe to the BBF newsletter specifying the city as Barcelona. britishbenevolentfund.org