A British family who travelled to Benidorm to start a new life have been left stranded and reliant on food banks after losing their jobs.
Mum-of-three Lindsey Evers and her partner Peter Chadwick have appealed for help raising money so they can return to the UK.
The pair face eviction from their flat later this month after falling behind on rent, 10 years after moving to the Costa Blanca resort.
Lindsey, originally from Halifax, West Yorks, said: “We wish to go back to UK and find work as soon as possible, not to claim benefits.
“That wouldn’t be viable. We have been let down by the Spanish government and our claims of what we are entitled to have not even come through yet, hence why we are having to return home.”
(Image: SOLARPIX.COM)
Waitress Lindsey, 41, and chef Peter, 56, lost their jobs in the first Costa Blanca Covid lockdown last year and have struggled to find new work as Benidorm suffers from the lack of tourists.
They said they now have just 20 euros in their account.
Earlier this week she told The Sun : “We’ve been legal residents here for years, worked hard and paid our taxes. Now we’re one step away from living on the streets.
“ Coronavirus has been an absolute disaster for us and a lot of other Brits who moved to Benidorm and had made a good life for themselves here.”
(Image: SOLARPIX.COM)
Peter added: “Benidorm’s British Businesses Association is helping us with petrol money so we can drive our daughter Charlee the eight miles from our home to her school and we’re being fed thanks to their food bank.”
They are returning to Britain with their two youngest children, Charlee, 12, and Harvey, 17 after receiving their eviction notice and deciding staying in Spain is unviable for them in the current circumstances.
The couple have set up a fundraising page, which has so far raised more than £1,600.
Benidorm mayor Toni Perez said earlier this week he was “very sorry” to hear they were leaving after their plight was highlighted.
Karen Maling-Cowles, president of Benidorm’s British Businesses Association, says the number of penniless expats needing cash help to get back to the UK from the Costa Blanca resort is currently running at around four a week.
Lindsey said: “Myself and my family are truly grateful for getting us over the 75 per cent mark of our target.
“We are literally going back to nothing all but what we can fit in the car.
“We are still looking for accommodation or a place to rent so we can register my daughter at school as soon as possible and start applying for jobs.
“We have so many people trying to help us with different aspects of the transition. Once again I thank each and everyone of you for ALL your help.”