Help Benidorm gets requests from homeless people but there is little we can do for them except refer them to Project4All. Help according to its statues can not help peole with cash handouts, therfore we donate our excess income from donations to other local charities which assist people.
Accepting the donation is the co-founder Arne Soeten and Richard Saville (treasurer). Part of the donation was given by the British Benevolent Fund Spain. The Project strives to help the vulnerable in our society. This incredible charity; with its women’s refuge still running successfully as well as a newly established men’s house that offers support to allow people to get back on their feet and resume employment, needs constant funding. The ethos of the Project is about ‘making a change’. If you would like to be part of that change, visit the website https://www.project4all.org and check out the new scheme to become a member for 10€ a month. Presenting the cheque are two of our valued and hardworking volunteers Christine Lathouders and Gerard Visser
Help Benidorm celebrated the AGM . Andrés Rubio stood down from the committee but continues as a member. For many years he had acted as an interpreter for Help and conducted both Spanish classes for foreigners and English classes for Spaniards, until the outbreak of Covid. Unfortunately there is nobody availible to continue language classes.
Help President Jacqueline Leather stated at the AGM “I would like to extend an immense THANKYOU. Andrés has made many long standing friendship’s who would like to voice their appreciation for all of his contributions, his commitment and dedication that he has applied over the years “
Most benefit claims need a certificado de empadronamiento, generally the historico colectivo with all family members listed on it.
The extension office of Benidorm Ayuntamiento in Avenida Juan Fuster Zaragoza 1, on the corner of the health centre block, opposite the GB Bar (formerly Mad Monk) now say that you no longer need an appointment.
It is quite easy for people handy with a smartphone. First take a good selfie with plain white background and then type into your browser Renew UK Passport bring up a link to the https://www.gov.uk. site.Make sure it is the genuine www. gov.uk site. It costs 105 euros or free if you are over 90.
UK Passport Renewal at Round Town Travel Avda Dr Severo Ochoa 2, Benidorm You can get your passport renewed here for 160 euros or 30 euros if you are over 90. They send off your old passport and you will get a new one in the post together with your old passport in separate envelopes delivered by courier. Passport renewal con now only be done online or with smartphone so those not tech savy this is a good option. Telephone 966 811123. If you do not live in Benidorm ask in a British owned business such as Estate agent etc to see if they will do it for you.
Any British national who needs to
travel urgently but doesn´t have a full validity passport (it could be
lost, stolen, expired or damaged) has to apply online for an Emergency Travel Document.
They will have to upload their photo, travel booking confirmation and any other documents requested and pay online.
As long as the application has been completed correctly, the customer will get an email within two working days advising them to go
and collect the document from their nearest British Consulate.
If you have any vulnerable customers who are finding it difficult to apply online, they can contact the British Consulate on 965 21 60 22.
This is to avoid problems at passport control with the new Entry Exit System ( EES) coming into use in Autumn 2025.
This is a summary of the information from the ambassador: “This month, the European Union (EU) has published draft legislation in preparation for the EES coming into force in Autumn 2025. It states that Green Certificates will not be recognised by the EES, in Spain or any other Schengen country. It has now been made clear that Green Certificate holders travelling in and out of Spain should expect difficulties, which could range from lengthy delays, to being denied entry, to possibly being banned from the Schengen area. There remains time for British residents to get a TIE if they act now. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-spain#visas-and-residency . We understand that there are now enough appointments available in key areas.”
Help will have no meetings until 9th January 2025, when we restart weekly Thursday meetings between 11.00 and 12.00 in the cafe at Centro Social Llorca Linares, Calle Goya, Benidorm. The cafe has finally reopened.
Wishing all members and service users a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Eileen´s funeral will be held in the UK on 26th Nov at 11.30 if people would like to take a moment to pay their respects. The family are donating any money to https://www.mind.org.uk/ and would be happy if anyone would like to make a donation.
Eileen Stevens 06.11.2024 24.12.1944
Eileen (left) volunteering at Help Benidorm stand La Nucia International Day 2019
Such sad news to hear that our lovey Eileen has passed away. Eileen was a very active and valued member of HELP for many years. Her role was predominantly membership registration but she could turn her hand to many roles when it came to fundraising. Eileen had recently returned to the UK with husband Derek to be close to her family. Whilst at HELP she always enjoyed socialising with the many friends who she had built up solid and long-lasting friendships with.
She will be sadly missed by friends and colleagues alike.
Help Benidorm has donated 1000 euros to the GoFundMe appeal orginised by the Irish Tavern Albir. They are colaborating with Valencia Food Bank and Valencia Town Hall. The hard work and dedication by our community is commendable. Pictured at the The Irish Tavern, Albir which is the hub of the organisational group.There is still a desperate need for this fundraising to continue. Visit https://gofund.me/0bbc1236 or alternatively visit the Irish Tavern. They also need wellington boots, any size which you can drop off
Jaqueline Leather Help President (right) donates 1000 euros from Help Benidorm to GoFundMe appeal for Valencia Flood victims organised by the Irish Bar Albir. Pictured from Irish Tavern, from left Charlie Brown, Daniel Gennard & Sharon Bell.
We are extremely sorry to announce the very sad news that Geoff has passed away. Geoff has chosen to bequeath his body to medical science for research and educational purposes. The family will hold a farewell gathering on the Monday the 21st October at Caspers bar in the Old Town (4-7pm). The family would welcome any friends to pop in and have a drink in his memory or join them to reminisce and celebrate his interesting and industrious life.
One of Geoff’s earliest memories was during the war. Although only a toddler, he has vivid memories of a banana shortage, followed by a stampede to the greengrocers to obtain them after the war had ended. Geoff was born October 1941 in Romford and lived in leafy Upminster. He has memories of his formative years as a very simple but happy time. Going on to pass his 11 plus at Palmers Grammar school in Gray’s. Geoff had an abiding passion of anything to do with public transport …namely buses … and he went on to work for London Transport. When he met Ann, he decided that he needed to get a `proper´ job and went on to obtain his first university degree and took up a lecturing post at Colchester Institute. The passion for buses never left him and to this day still had a subscription to a London bus magazine. Geoff was also passionate about equality and was a staunch socialist and a great Union man. He was a rep for NATFHE who were concerned with providing education and training opportunities, as well as treasurer of a staff association. For a man who never sat still this wasn’t enough for him and he even stood for 2 local elections.
On retirement, he and Ann moved to Almunecar and Andalusia but it soon became evident that Geoff was chomping at the bit and, taking it easy in the sun, was most definitely not an option for him. They moved to Benidorm where he joined HELP in 2007. Geoff was a person who was always willing to help and support the vulnerable and he had a knack of seeing the good in people. As usual he gave 100% of his time and his contribution to HELP became the backbone of the charity for many years after. During his time, he was productive in setting up an Inter Cambio group bringing like minded people together to learn from each other. This group forged many and long-lasting friendships. With memories of socialising together, including Vinceta , and Denny (a stalwart of HELP ). Geoff’s main role was as treasurer and ensured that everything he did, was for the good of the charity. Anne describes Geoff as a force of nature, charging through life and getting things done. Always raising his head above the parapet and never afraid to let his voice be heard. That is what she would like his legacy to be. I think it’s fair to say that anybody that knew Geoff would wholeheartedly agree with that sentiment. He was so very well respected and admired by all of his friends and colleagues alike. He, without a doubt, will be very sadly missed.
