New chapter for MABS on the Costa Blanca Spain

New chapter for MABS
AFTER six years searching for the perfect location, MABS Cancer Support Foundation has relocated its Costa Blanca shop in La Cala to a new set up in Alfaz del Pi, and last week held a coffee morning to recruit volunteers to help run it.
Welcoming more than 20 people to the spacious, two-storey charity shop and support centre in Avenida Pais Valenciana, MABS Founder and President, Jacqui Phillips MBE, said: “Today is all about getting new volunteers so that we can continue helping and supporting anybody with cancer.”
Jacqui set up the charity almost 22 years ago after finding herself with nowhere to turn to having been diagnosed with breast and throat cancer. Volunteers provide practical help and support to people who have been diagnosed with cancer, as well as providing transport and a translation service where needed.
She told Euro Weekly News: “When I was diagnosed there was nobody there to help me, so once I was well enough I decided to set something up myself and called it the Marina Alta Breast Cancer Support Group.”
There were initially five people involved, and while it was aimed at women with breast cancer, people with other types of cancer began contacting Jacqui, and she decided to rename the group MABS to incorporate everybody.
“We were getting calls from everywhere, Torrevieja to Murcia, where we have a Hospice, and the Costa del Sol, so my husband and I decided to open a branch down there. Then we stopped off at Camposol in Mazarron, and it just kept going growing. We now have eight shops and will continue to do our utmost to help people and their families through cancer.”
Jacqui went on to say: “We need to get this shop up and for that we desperately need new volunteers. We have been at La Cala for six years and it has taken that long to find this place, I think it’s beautiful.”
Director for Costa Blanca South, Sue Reula, added: “Today is to welcome some old volunteers and hopefully new ones. The aim is to open this new shop Monday to Saturday, 10am to 2pm and Friday evenings from 4pm to 7pm, so we want to try to get enough volunteers to do that. When the shop is shut we are not making money, so we need it open.”
A raffle of €1 for five tickets was held to cover the cost of putting on a lovely spready of sandwiches, nibbles and hold and cold drinks for everyone who went along.
Sue added: “The raffle will cover the cost of this morning, which means we can open up with zero deficit.”
Director for the whole of the Costa Blanca, Irene Bodnerac, explained that the new two storey shop will mean MABS – which became a Foundation in 2017 – can expand its services.
“Downstairs will be the shop, and upstairs is going to be a treatment room and counselling suite, as well as rest room for staff. We’re really happy with the turn out today, there are some old faces and plenty of new ones too, hopefully they will sign up.”
Shop manager, Sheila Fearon, added: “It has been hard going getting the shop up and running but worth it. In terms of volunteers, the more the better, and cover for Friday evenings and Saturdays would be great.”
To find out more about helping out, contact Sue on 633324061.
Meanwhile, a charity golf tournament in aid of MABS Costa Blanca will take place at Meliá Villaitana in Benidorm on Sunday, January 26, 9am. There will be prizes and a raffle, with the chance to win a 60-inch television. Tickets cost €65 which includes a buggy and buffet (MV members €40). To register, contact Caddy Master on 966 813 013.
To learn more about MABS, what they do and how they can help, call Sue on the above number, or visit https://mabscancerfoundation.com/ of MABS Facebook.

RECRUITMENT DRIVE: The coffee morning enjoyed a good turnout of potential volunteers.
APPEAL: Jacqui Phillips MBE, Irene Bodnerac and Sue Reula are looking for volunteers to help run the new shop.
TEAM: Sheila Fearson, Jacqui Phillips MBE, Irene Bodnerac and Sue Reula have been busy sorting out the new location.

AFTER six years searching for the perfect location, MABS Cancer Support Foundation has relocated its Costa Blanca shop in La Cala to a new set up in Alfaz del Pi, and last week held a coffee morning to recruit volunteers to help run it.

Welcoming more than 20 people to the spacious, two-storey charity shop and support centre in Avenida Pais Valenciana, MABS Founder and President, Jacqui Phillips MBE, said: “Today is all about getting new volunteers so that we can continue helping and supporting anybody with cancer.”

Jacqui set up the charity almost 22 years ago after finding herself with nowhere to turn to having been diagnosed with breast and throat cancer. Volunteers provide practical help and support to people who have been diagnosed with cancer, as well as providing transport and a translation service where needed.

She told Euro Weekly News: “When I was diagnosed there was nobody there to help me, so once I was well enough I decided to set something up myself and called it the Marina Alta Breast Cancer Support Group.”

There were initially five people involved, and while it was aimed at women with breast cancer, people with other types of cancer began contacting Jacqui, and she decided to rename the group MABS to incorporate everybody.

“We were getting calls from Torrevieja to Murcia, where we have a Hospice, so my husband and I went to the Costa del Sol and opened a branch there. Then we stopped off at Camposol in Mazarron, and it just kept going from there.  We now have eight shops and will continue to do our utmost to help people and their families through cancer.”

Jacqui went on to say: “We need to get this shop up and for that we desperately need new volunteers. We have been at La Cala for six years and it has taken that long to find this place, I think it’s beautiful.”

Director for Costa Blanca South, Sue Reula, added: “Today is to welcome some old volunteers and hopefully new ones. The aim is to open this new shop Monday to Saturday, 10am to 2pm and Friday evenings from 4pm to 7pm, so we want to try to get enough volunteers to do that. When the shop is shut we are not making money, so we need it open.”

A raffle of €1 for five tickets was held to cover the cost of putting on a lovely spready of sandwiches, nibbles and hold and cold drinks for everyone who went along.

Sue added: “The raffle will cover the cost of this morning, which means we can open up with zero deficit.”

Director for the whole of the Costa Blanca, Irene Bodnerac, explained that the new two storey shop will mean MABS – which became a Foundation in 2017 – can expand its services.

“Downstairs will be the shop, and upstairs is going to be a treatment room and counselling suite, as well as rest room for staff. We’re really happy with the turn out today, there are some old faces and plenty of new ones too, hopefully they will sign up.”

Shop manager, Sheila Fearon, added: “It has been hard going getting the shop up and running but worth it. In terms of volunteers, the more the better, and cover for Friday evenings and Saturdays would be great.”

To find out more about helping out, contact Sue on 633324061.

Meanwhile, a charity golf tournament in aid of MABS Costa Blanca will take place at Meliá Villaitana in Benidorm on Sunday, January 26, 9am. There will be prizes and a raffle, with the chance to win a 60-inch television. Tickets cost €65 which includes a buggy and buffet (MV members €40). To register, contact Caddy Master on 966 813 013.

To learn more about MABS, what they do and how they can help, call Sue on the above number, or visit https://mabscancerfoundation.com/ of MABS Facebook.

RECRUITMENT DRIVE: The coffee morning enjoyed a good turnout of potential volunteers.

APPEAL: Jacqui Phillips MBE, Irene Bodnerac and Sue Reula are looking for volunteers to help run the new shop.

TEAM: Sheila Fearson, Jacqui Phillips MBE, Irene Bodnerac and Sue Reula have been busy sorting out the new location.