The Costa del Sol Charity Fun Day

A great day out for all!

Come join in the fun with the ACASA Family Treasure Hunt

Held at the Lauro Golf Driving Range, Alhaurin de la Torre
Sunday June 3rd
12pm to 5pm

Check out the facebook page for the event at https://www.facebook.com/CharityFamilyFunDaySpain

1. Weekend for 2 in 4 star Melia Hotel in Madrid, bed & breakfast, donated by Grupo Sol Melia – winner Mrs Karin Myrer from Norway, staying at Hawaii
2. Apartments. “This is wonderful. I have a friend in Madrid I can visit her now”
   Majorca Daily Bulletin, 3 months subscription – winner Susan Macfeeters of Son Ferriol. “Absolutely wonderful – just what I wanted”
   
3. 100€ Voucher from Mood Bar Restaurant, Portals – winner Lisa Milton, staying at Hotel Palma Nova Palace – “What a wonderful way to spend the last day of our holiday, thank you”
   
4. Pirates, 2 adult tickets – winner Esperanza Catala from Portals Nous “Donated back to Age Concern to be reused on another occasion”
   
5. Restaurant Mar Adentro, Pto Andratx, Paella for 2- winner – Eduardo Bianya “Over the moon”
   
6. Mallorca Therapy Massage winner – Bill Wettom, Palma Nova. “Just what the doctor ordered”
   
7. Ultima Hora, Kitchen Utensils – winner Mary Mackie “This is great I would also like to volunteer for you”
   
8. Majorca Daily Bulletin, Tablecloth – winner Milady Galvan, Palma Nova “Many thanks”
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Congratulations to all the lucky winners of star prizes and, of course, to all the other winners of equally wonderful prizes. However many other spectacular prizes such as, a weekend for 2 in a 4 star Barcelo hotel in Mallorca, 2 tickets to Son Amar dinner and show, 3 months subscription to Ultima Hora newspaper, 1 year subscription to Mallorca Magazin, 2 adult and 2 children’s tickets to Palma Aquarium and 1 massage session at H3O salon in Palma, stayed in the drum waiting to be won.

Finally I would like to express my personal thanks to Anne Kay for organising the tombola and to all her voluntary helpers.

If you require information or you are interested in attending any of our social activities, aimed at younger people to fund help for the elderly, or become a volunteer, the contact details for Age Concern Mallorca are as follows – Tel: 971-231520 weekdays after 10am or email: acmallorca@ageconcern-espana.org

Age Concern Mallorca held their 7th Collection Ladies Nearly New Fashion Sale on Saturday, April 28 at the Hotel Sol Magaluf Park, which was a fantastic success raising funds for the Hamper Appeal feeding the elderly in need on Mallorca. This project started 9 years ago as Christmas Hampers but it was clearly needed on a much more regular basis. Age Concern Mallorca now delivers food parcels to those in need every 4-6 weeks.

Age Concern Mallorca receives no grants or income from any source except what it raises from its fundraising events and what it receives from supporters donations. We welcome any financial aid that is given to us to assist us with our ongoing projects.

Alternatively if you can “Spare an hour, Spread a smile”, or if you think you would like to join our new project “Residential Home Visiting Team”, Call Jackie our President on 971 23 15 20 for more information on volunteering.

Thank you to all those who volunteered at the 7th Ladies Nearly New Fashion Sale

Information on all the local Age Concern Organisations in Spain is included as well as information on ACASA, the National Casework Service.

ACASA is updating its range of INFOSHEETS which give advice on the various issues faced by the over 50s in Spain and they will be on the website soon so watch this space. If you are a company interested in sponsoring one of the INFOSHEETS please contact the Country Manager at ccm@ageconcern-espana.org.

For information please call INFOLINE on 902 00 38 38, or email info@ageconcern-espana.org.

A continuación incluimos, además de la respuesta de Age Concern España, las respuestas emitidas por la Embajada británica y por el Embajador británico, a las que Age Concern España se suscribe y da su pleno apoyo.

Declaración de la Embajada Británica en cuanto al asesoramiento sanitario – publicada el 13 de abril de 2012

http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/news/?view=News&id=752838182 (en inglés)

Declaración de la Presidenta de la Federación de Age Concern España, Eileen Dry – publicada el 14 de abril de 2012

Age Concern España es una ONG oficial que promueve el bienestar de todos los individuos mayores de 50 años que viven en España, centrándose principalmente en la comunidad de expatriados que se encuentran en España, ofreciéndoles su apoyo para facilitar su integración en la vida española.

Nuestro trabajo consiste fundamentalmente en ayudar a las autoridades españolas a superar la barrera idiomática para garantizar que tanto los visitantes como los residentes en España estén totalmente al corriente de la normativa española. Realizamos esta tarea a través de programas de sensibilización pública, servicios de información en inglés y asistencia directa cuando ésta es necesaria.

No es parte de nuestra labor el ayudar a los ciudadanos británicos a acceder a una serie de prestaciones a las que no tienen derecho.

Cada año, Age Concern España asiste de forma directa a unas 30.000 personas.

Carta al Director del diario ABC – publicada el 17 de abril de 2012

Le escribo en relación a los últimos artículos que se han publicado en ABC, en los que se critica el asesoramiento que la Embajada británica proporciona en su página web sobre cómo acceder a la sanidad pública en España, así como también la labor realizada por la organización benéfica Age Concern España.

El gobierno británico no aprueba ni promueve el “turismo sanitario”. Los ciudadanos británicos que visitan o viven en España, tienen derecho a acudir al sistema sanitario español, de la misma forma que los ciudadanos españoles en el Reino Unido tienen derecho a acudir al sistema sanitario público británico. La información que proporcionamos en nuestra página web y la que facilita la organización benéfica Age Concern España tiene como objetivo garantizar que los ciudadanos británicos que acudan a la sanidad española lo hagan en plena conformidad con la legislación española y europea.

Los turistas británicos constituyen aproximadamente el 24% del total de turistas que viajan a España. Está claramente en interés tanto del Reino Unido como de España que estas personas reciban atención médica si lo necesitan con urgencia. Al asegurarnos de que saben acceder al sistema sanitario público español, podemos evitar costes administrativos innecesarios, tanto para el Reino Unido como para España, y garantizar que el Reino Unido pueda reembolsar a España de forma exacta y eficiente, conforme a la legislación pertinente europea. El asesoramiento que proporcionamos en nuestra página web establece claramente que la Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea no cubre a aquellas personas que viajan a España con el objetivo concreto de someterse a un tratamiento médico.

También hay muchos ciudadanos británicos que residen en España. El objetivo de nuestra página web es el de garantizar que, en caso de necesitar acudir al sistema sanitario español, lo hagan cumpliendo plenamente con la legislación española. Registrarse en el Padrón facilita dicho acceso y es un requisito establecido en la legislación española.

Age Concern España proporciona una asistencia fundamental a los residentes británicos y a otros ciudadanos de habla inglesa de avanzada edad que se encuentran aislados, en un mal estado de salud y que necesitan ayuda urgente. La organización benéfica colabora estrechamente con las autoridades españolas, encargándose de casos en los que el idioma es un obstáculo, y por ende, reduciendo la carga impuesta a los servicios sociales españoles. Además, una parte significativa de la labor que realiza Age Concern es ayudar a repatriar a ciudadanos británicos que, por un motivo u otro, ya no pueden mantenerse económicamente en España, viéndose obligados a regresar al Reino Unido. Pero no es parte de su labor el ayudar a los ciudadanos británicos a acceder a una serie de prestaciones a las que no tienen derecho.

Giles Paxman

Embajador de Su Majestad Británica

Please find below the responses from Age Concern España, and from the British Embassy and HM Ambassador Giles Paxman to which Age Concern España gives their full support and co-operation.

13 April 2012 : British Embassy Statement on Healthcare Advice

http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/news/?view=News&id=752838182

14 April 2012: Statement by the President of the Federación de Age Concern España Eileen Dry

Age Concern España is a fully registered NGO that promotes the well being of all individuals over 50 living in Spain. We are primarily concerned with the expatriate community in Spain and we favour integration into Spanish life.

Our work is designed to support the Spanish authorities to overcome the language barrier and ensure that both visitors and residents in Spain are fully compliant with Spanish regulations. We do this through public awareness programs, English speaking information services, and direct assistance where required.

It is not part of our work to help British citizens access benefits to which they are not entitled.

Age Concern España directly helps about 30,000 individuals a year.

17 April 2012: HM Ambassador Giles Paxman Letter to the Editor

Today, Spanish national daily ABC published a letter to the editor from HM Ambassador Giles Paxman rejecting suggestions that the British Embassy is encouraging “health tourism”.

Please find the English version of the letter below.

Sir

 I am writing with regard to your recent reports criticising the advice on the British Embassy website regarding access to healthcare in Spain and the work of the NGO Age Concern España.. 

The British Government does not condone or encourage “health tourism”. British nationals visiting or residing in Spain are of course entitled to access the Spanish healthcare system, just as Spanish nationals in the UK are entitled to access the British healthcare system.  The advice on our website and that given by Age Concern España aims to ensure that they do so in full compliance with Spanish and European legislation.

 British visitors make up approximately 24% of the total number of tourists visiting Spain. It is in the clear interest of both the UK and Spain that they should receive medical attention if they urgently need it. By ensuring that they know how to access the Spanish healthcare system, we can avoid unnecessary administrative costs for both Spain and the UK, and ensure that the UK can reimburse Spain accurately and efficiently in line with the specific provisions set out in EU legislation. The Embassy website advice makes clear that the European Health Insurance Card does not cover those who come to Spain for the specific purpose of health treatment.

 There are also many British nationals resident in Spain. The aim of our website advice is to ensure that if they need to access the Spanish healthcare system, they do so in full compliance with Spanish legislation. Registration on the “Padron” facilitates this and is a requirement of Spanish law.

 Age Concern España provides a fundamental lifeline for British and other English-speaking elderly residents who are isolated, in poor health and in urgent need of help.  The charity closely collaborates with Spanish authorities via the British Consulates, taking on cases where language is a barrier, thus reducing demands on Spanish social services. In addition, a significant part of Age Concern’s work involves helping to repatriate British nationals, who for one reason another can no longer financially support themselves in Spain and have to return to the UK. It is not part of their work to help British citizens access benefits to which they are not entitled.

 Giles Paxman

Her Majesty’s Ambassador

A special thank you goes to the James Joyce, an authentic Irish Pub in the centre of
Madrid, for hosting the event, to Simon Montague from The British Embassy our witty quiz master and to York Marbella S.L. – Marks and Spencer for donating the top raffle prize. Similar events will be held across Spain so keep your eyes peeled.

The money raised will go towards the work done by ACASA’s volunteers to overcome poverty, illness and isolation for its two client bases – people over the age of 50, and those of any age who serve or used to serve in the British Armed Forces, and their families, as ACASA does the work of SSAFA Forces Help in Spain. Contact 902 00 38 38 or info@ageconcern-espana.org for further information.

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

THANK YOU TO THE TEAMS AND PRIZE DONORS:

The Cafeteria

at IH Alonso Martinez

ACASA – The National Casework Service of Age Concern España – would like to say a big thank you to all those individuals who responded to our Christmas Appeal. In particular we would like to thank York Marbella SL – Marks & Spencer for their generous donation of 1,000€. Their Marks & Spencer store can be found on the second floor of La Cañada Shopping Centre in Marbella.

If you missed the Christmas Appeal don’t worry, donations can still be made via our website www.acespana.org, just press the donate button, or by contacting Kim Stollard on CCM@ageconcern-espana.org or 917 146 439.

We have seen an increase in demand over the last month as those already struggling with illness, isolation and poverty struggle to cope with the excess demands brought on by winter and the holiday period. It is only with your help that we are able to respond to those in need. No amount is too small.

ACASA has two client bases – people over the age of 50, and those of any age who serve or
used to serve in the British Armed Forces, and their families, as ACASA does the work of SSAFA Forces Help in Spain. Contact 902 00 38 38  or info@ageconcern-espana.org for further information.

Come join in the fun and chase away the January blues with our ‘So you think you know Spain’ quiz. The James Joyce is a traditional Irish Pub with friendly staff and great food. There will be a raffle with some fantastic prizes to be won.

We look forward to seeing you there!