A BRITISH family who travelled to Benidorm to start a new life have been left marooned and reliant on food banks after losing their jobs because of the Covid pandemic.
Mum-of-three Lindsey Evers and her partner Peter Chadwick were forced to appeal for help raising money so they can return to the UK as they face eviction in their flat.
Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest updates
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 because of the collapse in the tourist industry.
The pair were left so hard-up they fell behind on rent, 10 years after relocating to Benidorm.
Lindsey, originally from Halifax, West Yorkshire, said: “We wish to go back to the 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.”
Earlier this week she told A Journalist: “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.”
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.
Lindsey said in a first thank you message earlier this week after early donations to the GoFundMe appeal she set up: “I wish to thank everyone who has donated so far.
“Myself and my family are truly grateful. 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.”
Lindsey added late yesterday after the fundraising total reached £1,625: “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.”
