300 volunteer helpers receive a royal thanks

THREE hundred volunteers, who help improve life for some of the needy British citizens in Spain, received a right royal thank-you yesterday (Wednesday). As a result of the volunteers’ tireless efforts, life is made much brighter and more bearable when challenges arise for some of the around one million Britons seeking to live (full-time and part-time) the dream in Spain.

The royal thanks came as the select group of volunteers attended a Madrid reception in honour of Britain’s Prince Charles, HRH the Prince of Wales, and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, on the opening day of their three-day official visit, their first to Spain since they married six years ago.

Volunteers at yesterday’s reception were hand-picked from thousands who spend endless hours helping to improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable British residents living in Spain when they face problems.

And Euro Weekly News publishers, Michel and Steven Euesden, were among attendees at the royal reception at the residence of British Ambassador Giles Paxman.

“We are honoured to represent our more than half-a-million regular readers and thousands of valued clients by attending this prestigious event,” Michel said.

Steven added: “We hope this visit helps boost, not only the morale of British expatriates in Spain, but also perhaps speeds up the recovery of business which has endured great difficulty over the past few years.”

The Euesdens later described Charles and Camilla as ‘very personable and utterly charming’ after the royal couple stopped to talk with them.

As well as British consulates in Spain, the British community is heavily dependent on a network of volunteer organisations for self-help, with representatives of Age Concern Acción Social, Age UK and The Royal British Legion, plus officials of Spanish local and regional authorities, also at the royal reception.

Ambassador Paxman said he was delighted the royal couple had taken the opportunity to thank the volunteers who, he says, selflessly give up time to improve the lives of others.

“Although it is impossible for them to meet everybody, their presence is a tribute to each and every person who helps our British residents. I want to add my own thanks to all volunteers whose kindness and care is hugely valued,” concluded the ambassador.

Yesterday’s reception was just one of the many events making up the busy royal schedule, which included trade and investment promotion between the UK and Spain as a priority.

Today (Thursday) the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will join Spain’s King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia for a private lunch, Clarence House confirmed.

Prince Charles was due to meet business leaders in Madrid and Sevilla.

Receptions organised by UK Trade and Investment hoped to get across the message that Britain is ‘open for business’, and that the UK is extending open arms to Spanish companies anxious to invest in Britain.

Picture Credits: UK in Spain

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