Supporting Those in Greatest Need - According to Sir Alexander Ellis
Sir Alexander Ellis, the current British ambassador to Spain, has reiterated the British Benevolent Fund's (BBF) mission to provide emergency support to British nationals in severe hardship living in Spain. The BBF, a long-established charity, serves a wide geographical area across the country, from Málaga to Madrid and beyond.
Born in 1967, Sir Alexander Ellis began his diplomatic career with a historic mission: helping manage South Africa's democratic transition after Nelson Mandela's release. Since then, he has held diplomatic postings across Europe and Latin America, including ambassadorships in Portugal and Brazil. Before taking up his new post in Madrid, he sang in Beethoven's Missa Solemnis with the UK Parliament Choir.
The event held in the garden of Sir Alexander Ellis's official residence in Madrid aimed to raise funds for the BBF to continue its work into the future. Sir Alexander Ellis, who is married to Teresa Adegas, a Portuguese national, and their son Tomas is on the autism spectrum, spoke about the BBF at the event. He emphasized that the BBF is funded entirely through charitable donations and provides emergency financial assistance to British people facing severe hardship.
Sir Alexander Ellis's presence as the British ambassador to Spain serves as a symbolic and practical reminder that diplomacy is about helping those who need it the most, including vulnerable Britons in Spain. He has a warm and approachable style, as demonstrated by his light-hearted video introducing himself on social media.
The BBF's mission resonates with Sir Alexander Ellis personally. He is known to be a keen football fan and fondly recalls attending the 2016 Rio Olympic Games during his time in Brazil as one of the high points of his career. His human passions, notably choral music and sport, have not been lost amidst his diplomatic duties.
The BBF's work is crucial, given the wide geographical reach it has across Spain. Sir Alexander Ellis acknowledged this, emphasizing that the Fund serves a wide community and offers national support within the country. The event also aimed to celebrate the BBF’s ongoing work and ensure its future sustainability through public and sponsor involvement.
[1] Quote from Sir Alexander Ellis during the exclusive interview at the fundraising event in Madrid.
- Sir Alexander Ellis, during the fundraising event in his home-and-garden, emphasized that the British Benevolent Fund relies solely on charitable donations and provides emergency financial assistance to British people facing severe hardship, highlighting its relevance in today's lifestyle.
- In an effort to raise funds for the British Benevolent Fund's future work, which serves a wide geographical area across Spain from Málaga to Madrid and beyond, Sir Alexander Ellis's home-and-garden hosted an event to celebrate the charity's ongoing work and ensure its sustainability.
