British Benevolent Fund Leads New Year Honours In Spain
The treasurer of British Benevolent Fund, Charlie Wilson, has been awarded an MBE in the 2025 New Year´s Honours List for services to vulnerable British nationals in Spain.
The BBF is the oldest British charity in Spain, stretching back over a century, providing financial relief to vulnerable Britons in Spain who have no other recourse.
The charity works closely with partners across Spain as well as the UK´s consular network and has helped tens of thousands of thousands of people facing extreme financial distress, often caused by illness or other life impacting events such as bereavement and separation.
Since joining the BBF in 2011, Charlie Wilson has helped countless British people across Spain by providing short term financial support to those in desperate need. The charity’s work was especially critical during the Covid-19 pandemic, as time and time again he supported the repatriation of vulnerable British nationals to the UK via commercial flights.
The British Ambassador to Spain, Sir Alex Ellis, said: “Charlie is the backbone of the British Benevolent Fund’s invaluable support of British nationals across Spain. The fact that he has given his time so generously over such a long period of time is a testimony of his dedication to helping others. I’m thrilled that his continued work is being recognised with an MBE.”
Charlie Wilson, who is based in Madrid, said: “Receiving the MBE is a great honour and a very humbling experience. Although, it recognises my contribution to helping vulnerable British citizens in Spain, it really reflects the support, motivation and incredible inspiration I have received from my family and friends. It is a privilege and a vindication of my belief that together we can all make a positive difference in the world.”
The chairman of the BBF, Olaf Clayton, said that the contribution that Charlie has made over more than a decade to help others is a credit to the BBF and an example of public service of the highest order.
