Roaming Brit
  • Blog
  • The Story Of Us
  • Other Blogs
    • Forever Enduring Cycles Blog 2015 >
      • Forever Enduring Cycles
      • Bipolarcoaster
      • Books For Sale
  • Gallery
  • Spain
    • First Month
    • Three Months
    • Six Months
    • One Year
    • 2 Year Anniversary
    • Spanish Views
    • Gran Alacant >
      • GA Advertiser
      • Gran Alacant News
      • LoungeD
      • No Wives Club
  • About
    • New Life
    • Wedding
    • 21 Years
    • Timeline
    • My Story
    • Australia 2016/17
  • Guest Bloggers
    • Penelope Wren
    • Debra Rufini
    • Claire Coe
    • Richard Guy
    • Optimistic Mummy
    • Julie Rawlinson
    • Letters Of Hope
  • Links
  • Contact
  • My Writing
    • Short Stories From My Youth
    • Verruca Almond
    • The Streets

From a new life in spain, to an old life in britain, 'roaming brit' documents uncertain times!

Picture

On 31st January 2016, my partner and I left Southampton to start a new life as Expats in Gran Alacant, on the Costa Blanca. This blog will document our journey, as we navigate the Spanish system, travelling a path untried and untested. With Brexit looming, political turmoil in Europe, and an unpredictable future, harsh decisions must be made. Illness, family bonds, and a Change of heart all make for challenging times in the life of a 'Roaming Brit!'

Picture

Charity

17/8/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Picture
I have written much about charity and my negative experiences working for Oxfam; sometimes too much. The past has clouded my judgement on future charitable endeavours and has often made me turn away from exploits, that would have been good for me and the recipient. Negative experiences with anything tends to live clear in the mind, far longer than the positive, that is a fact of life. My escapades with Oxfam will remain with me for a very long time; a burden I accepted long ago. Reading my blog entries, one may assume I have only had difficult encounters with the charitable sector; in reality, nothing could be further from the truth. My life was tainted by Oxfam, but not entirely. I have many fond memories from more advantageous adventures.
​
Picture
Picture
My earliest engagement; raising money for good causes, was 'Operation Scarlet' in 1994; making red ribbons to sell, for AIDS research, at a time when this dreaded disease was claiming lives and the outlook for those who had contracted the virus was bleak.
In 1994 the treatment for AIDS was in its infancy. I knew many people who had contracted the disease; being able to do ones bit, allowed myself and others the privilege, of giving a little back, to the community in which we were apart. We spent many long evenings in a friends apartment, turning red ribbon into badges to wear with pride, supporting all those hoping for a second chance, a new lease of life through the advancement of research into this appalling scourge. Luckily today, many of those who had contracted HIV at this time, are still alive and well. Medical advances have given lives back, rather than taken them away.

Raising money for any good cause is a part of British life, ingrained in our national psyche; from HM The Queens devotion to good causes, Patron of many charities to the volunteer in a charity shop sorting out unwanted clothes. Without dedicated people, with no agenda, just a desire to do good, many trusts would be unable to carry out the work they do. 

I am often asked what I think about 'charity' after my rum brush, with the darker side of Oxfam. I am instinctively drawn to the rejection of such organisations; if Oxfam is corrupt, then any number of other similar groups could also be. Equally I am reminded that not everyone is the same. Over the last eighteen months my views have mellowed, today I remain philosophical about the role of charities and although I would never give money to these trusts personally again, I would give up my time, working for an organisation, I felt represented my aims and beliefs as an individual; Oxfam however, would always be out of such an equation.

As readers to my blogs are aware, I worked as a mentor and advocate for 'Action For Children;' I also gave up my time working for the 'Easy Horse Care' charity here in Spain; supporting this fantastic organisation in its work, saving horses and donkeys from this region of Spain. These are two charities, carrying out work, close to my heart; the protection of children and the preservation of animals, abused and in many cases left for dead. There is dishonesty and deception in every charity across society; in the case of  Oxfam, I dug too deep and knew too much. I found out about terrible injustices; I became embroiled in a scandal, that I would never forget. My consequent experiences of other organisations has not shown such disregard for human dignity so I could never pass judgement on others, preferring to believe that corruption only exists in Britain's biggest charity, Oxfam, as naive as that seems!

Like most people I have also given money to various groups, raising funds, in the past; I sponsored a child in Brazil, paying for his education; gave money towards a cat called Ashley, at the RSPCA in Milton Keynes, who was suffering from FIV, cat AIDS and had various direct debits coming from my British account each month, towards many different causes. Stopping the trickle of funds was a personal choice, built on experience; it doesn't mean you should do the same; I do however want to give you some advice.

Research the charity of your choice comprehensively; look at the statistics and most importantly, the percentage income distributed, to those who are in desperate need. Read and investigate who exactly this organisation is, make sure it practices what it preaches and above all speak to others who have had exposure in your chosen cause. If it doesn't live up to your expectations, there are many other groups that need your help and support. Finally after my ordeal with a large multinational charity, I would say, stick local and make sure you see where the money goes; not all charities are the same!
Picture
Picture
Picture


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    51-year-old Author and professional blogger. Expat formerly living in Gran Alacant on the Costa Blanca! Currently, residing in my adopted home of Perth, Western Australia.

    Picture

      Contact Luke.

    Submit
    Picture
    Click me & email for more information!
    Picture
    Picture

    Categories

    All
    30th Anniversary
    Asia-2019
    Australia
    Australia-202223
    Bangkok & Chiang Mai 2023
    Bettys-revenge
    Bipolar
    Bipolarcoaster
    Britain
    Bullying
    Business
    Cancer Research
    Cats
    Characters-i-have-known
    Charity
    Charlatan-or-confidant
    Christmas Thoughts
    Claybornes World
    Coming-out-stories
    Cooking
    Coronavirus
    Croatia 2022
    Current Affairs Politics
    Darrell In The Uk
    Death Of Queen Elizabeth
    Dunbars
    Easy-horse-care
    Events
    Events That Shaped My World
    Family
    Fascinating-facts
    Friends Colleagues
    Gran Alacant
    Guest-bloggers
    Ibs
    Immigration
    Information
    Inspirational People
    Interviews
    Japan And Thailand 2020
    Jersey-2019
    King Charles III
    Lifestyle Break
    Lockdown-life-in-photos
    London 2022
    Lounge-d
    Luke-martin-jones-awards
    Marmite Watch
    Memories Of Fareham
    Memories Of Home
    Memories-of-home
    Memories Of Portsmouth
    Memories Of Southampton
    Memories Of Spain
    Me-too-oxfam
    Milestones
    Moving
    My Life
    My Writing
    Non Touch Toast
    Oxfam-sociopathy
    Penelope-wren
    Photographs-of-hope
    Picante And Marigold
    Pippa
    Pippa And Akira
    Platinum Jubilee
    Postcards From Home
    Quotes
    Rabs-world
    Remembering Gran Alacant
    Reviewing Gran Alacant
    Santa-pola
    Self-isolation
    Shopping
    Short Stories From My Youth
    Southampton
    Spiritual
    Taiwan 2024
    Teaching Jamie
    Thailand 2022
    Thailand And Singapore 2025
    The-darkness
    The-streets
    The Two Of Us
    Travel
    Verruca-almond
    Vietnam 2024
    Villa In The Sun
    Visits From Friends
    War In Europe
    Weight Loss & Health
    Year In Review 2015
    Year In Review 2016
    Year In Review 2017
    Year In Review 2018
    Year In Review 2019
    Year In Review 2020
    Year In Review 2021
    Year In Review 2022
    Year In Review 2023
    Year In Review 2024
    Zest

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Tweets by realtruthblog
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture


    Instagram
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    A place to call home
    Finally, a place we can call home.  A community of like minded individuals, who used to call Britain home.  Now Spain is our choice, an altogether gentler, happier, sunnier and safer experience!
            Luke Feb 16
    Picture
Picture
Picture

Telephone

+447999663360

Email

[email protected]
  • Blog
  • The Story Of Us
  • Other Blogs
    • Forever Enduring Cycles Blog 2015 >
      • Forever Enduring Cycles
      • Bipolarcoaster
      • Books For Sale
  • Gallery
  • Spain
    • First Month
    • Three Months
    • Six Months
    • One Year
    • 2 Year Anniversary
    • Spanish Views
    • Gran Alacant >
      • GA Advertiser
      • Gran Alacant News
      • LoungeD
      • No Wives Club
  • About
    • New Life
    • Wedding
    • 21 Years
    • Timeline
    • My Story
    • Australia 2016/17
  • Guest Bloggers
    • Penelope Wren
    • Debra Rufini
    • Claire Coe
    • Richard Guy
    • Optimistic Mummy
    • Julie Rawlinson
    • Letters Of Hope
  • Links
  • Contact
  • My Writing
    • Short Stories From My Youth
    • Verruca Almond
    • The Streets