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Businesses and residents in and around Benidorm on Spain’s Costa Blanca are raising thousands to feed the hardest hit by the Covid-19 crisis

By Tara Rippin • Published: 30 Apr 2020 • 12:39

The British Benidorm Businesses Association’s Food Bank has raised more than €10,000 to help the most vulnerable during the coronavirus pandemic.

IN 44 days, the appeal on behalf of Cruz Roja (Red Cross) has generated €10,815 in addition to food donations and other support.
But as Spain moves into week seven of the State of Alarm, the association says more and more people and families need help.
Heidi Galvin, one of the organisers, said: “We’re all on lockdown meaning a lot of people cannot go to work, feed their families or pay their bills.
“We set up a food bank for people who need help and will need help over the coming weeks, but desperately need donations of dried food and items for personal hygiene so people can feel a little less pressurised through this tough time.
“We know this is happening all over the world, however here in Spain a lot of people are not on a higher contract to claim any benefits to help them through.”
She explained that many people, prior to the pandemic, were paid on a daily basis, and that’s how they lived before the crisis.
“We set this page up at the request of people wanting to help, but can’t get to the food bank to donate as there are strict rules in place regarding driving and going out.”
The businesses association has stressed that a little goes a long way and all money raised goes towards helping those in need in and around Benidorm.
The organisers have been overwhelmed by the support so far – which has been in all shapes and forms.
Albir resident Jean Calvert raised an impressive €3,229 after walking 15,000 steps, which equates to around 12km, without leaving her home on Sunday.
Expressing their gratitude for all of the support received so far, the Association said: “Thank you all, you truly are amazing. We just want to say a huge thank you to each and every one of you who have donated money, food, knitted, baked, shopped and anything else you have done for the food bank.
“Without any of you, this fundraiser could not run and we would not be able to feed the people and families who are struggling at this horrible time.”
They asked that people continue to support and share the food bank Facebook page “so we can run as long as needed, as the recovery from this will have a huge impact on a lot of people.”
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Tara Rippin

Tara Rippin is a reporter for Spain’s largest English-speaking newspaper, Euro Weekly News, and is responsible for the Costa Blanca region.
She has been in journalism for more than 20 years, having worked for local newspapers in the Midlands, UK, before relocating to Spain in 1990.
Since arriving, the mother-of-one has made her home on the Costa Blanca, while spending 18 months at the EWN head office in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol.
She loves being part of a community that has a wonderful expat and Spanish mix, and strives to bring the latest and most relevant news to EWN’s loyal and valued readers.

Share your story with us by emailing newsdesk@euroweeklynews.com, by calling +34 951 38 61 61 or by messaging our Facebook page www.facebook.com/EuroWeeklyNews

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