The treasurer of British Benevolent Fund, Charlie Wilson, has been awarded an MBE within the 2025 New 12 months´s Honours Record for companies to susceptible British nationals in Spain.
The BBF is the oldest British charity in Spain, stretching again over a century, offering monetary reduction to susceptible Britons in Spain who haven’t any different recourse.
The charity works carefully with companions throughout Spain in addition to the UK´s consular community and has helped tens of 1000’s of 1000’s of individuals dealing with excessive monetary misery, typically attributable to sickness or different life impacting occasions reminiscent of bereavement and separation.
Since becoming a member of the BBF in 2011, Charlie Wilson has helped numerous British folks throughout Spain by offering quick time period monetary help to these in determined want. The charity’s work was particularly important through the Covid-19 pandemic, as time and time once more he supported the repatriation of susceptible British nationals to the UK by way of business flights.
The British Ambassador to Spain, Sir Alex Ellis, stated: “Charlie is the spine of the British Benevolent Fund’s invaluable help of British nationals throughout Spain. The truth that he has given his time so generously over such an extended time period is a sworn statement of his dedication to serving to others. I’m thrilled that his continued work is being recognised with an MBE.”
Charlie Wilson, who is predicated in Madrid, stated: “Receiving the MBE is a good honour and a really humbling expertise. Though, it recognises my contribution to serving to susceptible British residents in Spain, it actually displays the help, motivation and unbelievable inspiration I’ve obtained from my household and pals. It’s a privilege and a vindication of my perception that collectively we are able to all make a optimistic distinction on this planet.”
The chairman of the BBF, Olaf Clayton, stated that the contribution that Charlie has revamped greater than a decade to assist others is a credit score to the BBF and an instance of public service of the best order.