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    Charity!

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    Give something back to the community in which you live; play your part in making lives a little easier for those who didn't have the chances you had. A few hours a week can make the World of difference to the most vulnerable in society; neighbourhoods focusing on people, families and a future where everyone's voice is heard! Champion a cause, embrace a movement , don't sit and wonder, fight for improvement!
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    Rab's World!

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    "don't underestimate me. I know more than I say, think more than I speak and notice more than you realize!"
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    Tesco Fratton - Working For The Local Community!

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    On Thursday evening, I would usually be lying on a sofa watching television, in between blogging of course; however this week, I took part in something a little different. My employer Tesco had organised an evening, where employees could see where all the food and other consumables it donates, goes to. The local store I am a part of, based in Fratton has much to be proud of, community is at its heart and can be seen in store everyday. It is the first time in many years I have felt a part of a team, that works together to make a difference to the people that they serve. Like all areas, Fratton has its fair share of deprivation and poverty; there is a need for large organisations like Tesco to play a part in helping those less fortunate. On Thursday I witnessed 'community in action' as my colleagues pulled out all the stops to make peoples lives a little easier for one evening; where they could sit, have something to eat and enjoy each others company, forgetting their difficulties for a few hours.

    I spent an evening, with colleagues at 'Food Cycle' in Fratton, one of the charities Tesco champions. I helped prepare a meal for around fifty local residents, made from the food Tesco and other large businesses donated. Chopping vegetables, peeling potatoes and helping serve the guests at Kings Church in Portsmouth, all part of this unique occasion. It was a busy evening, but I did find the time to share a few words and conversations with those in attendance. Everyone was grateful and pleased at what Tesco was doing to help their local neighbourhood. Shaking hands, a pat or two on the back and a smile of appreciation from the people that took time to attend this humbling evening, on such a rainy night, was all I needed to understand the importance of such local benevolence.

    I am proud to work for an organisation that puts people first and works to make the community it serves a little better to live in. I have personally worked for many different businesses and charities, but haven't experienced this kind of community undertaking before. Being able to see just where charitable donations go is important for people like me, who have a moral compass to uphold. I have always volunteered in one capacity or another; as a society I feel we have a duty to do so. I am not a millionaire and struggle to get by, just like everyone else, but if I can spare some time, to help others I will. Life isn't just about money and how much we have, it is about doing what we feel is right and playing a small part in helping to change peoples lives. I understand what it is like to fall on hard times, we are all at the mercy of events, our own circumstances could change quicker than we think; for that reason we need to understand the significance of giving back to those who need it, as Tesco did tonight and will continue to do in future!
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    Banco Sabadell - Frustration!

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    The last few days have been hell on earth, dealing with my Spanish bank. Darrell and I no longer reside in Spain and have been attempting to close down the financial side of our life, living on the Costa Blanca, which is easier said than done. Darrell and I have been trying to make a final payment to Banco Sabadell, something that has proven to be impossible.

    It sounds simple doesn't it, but nothing is simple in Spain, least of all banks. In order for Darrell to send a payment to my account he has to receive a code to a Spanish telephone number to make sure the transaction is legitimate. The trouble is Darrell is living abroad and can not receive the code, since his Spanish phone number will not work there. We then tried to change the telephone details online to allow a code to be sent to a new number, but to no avail. All personal details have to be changed in person at the branch the account was opened. So if you are spending time abroad, as Expats often do, you can not adjust your phone details, rendering your mobile app inoperative!

    Sabadell is an international bank that doesn't allow the transfer of money from one of its accounts to another because the person requesting the transfer is living abroad; isn't that the point of international banking, to be able to carry out financial transactions whilst in another country? Needless to say, I have been pulling my hair out talking to this institution, trying to resolve this dilemma. So far no joy, We have not been able to find a solution to this problem and at a time when I should be concentrating on my Mother and family, I am having to once again deal with Spanish bureaucracy, not the easiest thing to navigate!

    After taking advice from online forums, I have been communicating with Sabadell through Twitter, the easiest and quickest way to get a reaction from them and I have to say it has worked like a dream, with very quick response times. Sadly the language barrier has proved a bit of a problem but they have been doing their best to solve the problem. It isn't the employees fault that the bank they work for has ridiculously impossible rules in place, that prevent customers from carrying out perfectly reasonable requests.

    At the moment I have given up with Banco Sabadell, reaching a state of impasse; I am awaiting further correspondence from them, to discuss what we can do further to finally close down this bank account and move on. There were many reasons I fell out of love with Spain, the main one being the absurd amount of paperwork involved in ones daily activities and for that reason alone I am glad to be back in the UK. Spain remains a country with high unemployment and a difficult economic climate, because it does not tackle problems that make people's and businesses lives harder. Banks like Sabadell just reinforce ideals that are no longer welcome in the modern World. In order for people like me to live a less stress free life, we need to be accorded the same courtesies offered by other banks while abroad. There is no need to make lives more difficult, I await further instruction...It could take rather a long time.
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    My Experience With Cancer!

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    Once again I did my volunteering yesterday, as I usually do on a Monday. A regular customer suffering with cancer stood talking to me for half an hour in the shop; her  condition, routine, medication and side effects all dominating her daily activities.  She made me think about my own experiences with this illness, something I haven't done for a while. Families are torn apart by so many treatable conditions, mine no exception and cancer is at the top of a very long list that destroys lives. Regular screening and tests should be part of all our regimes, especially as we get older. Going to see a GP can be an arduous task, especially with long waiting lists and the embarrassment of invasive examinations, but it is essential to catch the big 'C' early. Once diagnosed the chances of survival are good and many recover to lead normal lives!

    As readers to 'Roaming Brit' are well aware, my partners Mother is suffering from cancer, the reason why he had to return to Australia, to care for her at this difficult time. My Great Aunty Carol is also undergoing treatment for Cancer; her condition is currently being managed, to extend her quality of life. The medical care she requires is debilitating and leaves her exhausted, but with a loving family she continues to strive for the future she desires, watching her grandchildren grow up, as all of them create new milestones in their lives!

    The first time I really began to identify just what cancer was and what it did to people, was when my Cousin Vanessa was diagnosed with the disease in the late 1970s. At the time I was far too young to understand just what her illness meant, but saw Vanessa on a regular basis and slowly learned just how destructive her disorder was. Her Mum, my Great Aunt Ronnie lived next door to my Gran and Grandad and Vanessa would pop in every now and again while we were visiting to say a brief hello. She wore a scarf covering her head and neck; I knew there was something wrong, but didn't fully understand the complexities surrounding Vanessa's life. It was never really discussed in a literal sense, but Mum would always ask how she was and you could see the sadness in both their eyes!

    Cancer isn't the type of thing people want to talk about; it is one of those subjects all of us avoid discussing if we can, but it is a topic we all need to examine and explore in order to comprehend the gravity of this scourge on peoples lives. As individuals we tend to steer clear of controversial themes for fear of offending others, especially if the person suffering is in the same room; that has to change! Ignoring cancer, hoping it will go away for fear of upsetting the victim is not the way we should deal with it. The more we talk, the more we accept and familiarise ourselves with a battle many of us will have to endure at some stage in our lives....Talking really does matter! The lady I spoke with in the shop, wanted to express how she felt on Monday, just like anyone who needs to let off steam once in a while. It is important to feel somebody is listening to what we have to say; hiding the truth, talking in code and distorting the facts is not an answer to solving cancer; speaking with cool, calm veracity is!
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