A CARAVAN at a Rhyl vacation residence has been purchased by Everton supervisor Rafael Benitez and spouse Montse, who’ve donated it to a Merseyside-based kids’s charity.
The caravan, at Lyons Robin Hood Vacation Park in Rhyl, will likely be utilized by the Our Misplaced Love Years (OLLY) charity, which helps kids struggling the lack of a father or mother or residing in poverty and deprivation.
Each Rafael and Montse Benitez had been on the official unveiling and ribbon-cutting of the caravan, which has been given the title of ‘OLLY’s Blissful Place’, on Tuesday, November 2.
It’s the newest act of kindness proven from them; the Montse Benitez Basis was established to assist Merseyside-based causes, whereas Montse has beforehand paid for kids supported by OLLY to go on journeys to Disneyland and has donated hundreds of kilos’ price of designer garments to the charity.
Rafael Benitez, who additionally managed Liverpool between 2004 and 2010, mentioned that he and his spouse have all the time been notably targeted on serving to these in want in a metropolis with which they’ve each developed an amazing affinity.
He mentioned: “We had been all the time enthusiastic about serving to native folks. I believe, on Merseyside, it’s vital to know that, when you’re doing one thing, it’s going there.
“After I was Liverpool supervisor, we may see that Everton was concerned with a variety of charities, so it’s extra in regards to the metropolis, the folks; not simply if you’re pink or blue. That’s, for us, the vital factor.
“If you work with folks distant, you don’t all the time see (the influence of) what you’re doing. That’s the principle factor for us – the native charities, the folks on Merseyside – that once you do one thing, you already know precisely what’s going on, and the profit from it.”
OLLY was based after Jean Taylor, mom to Chantel who was tragically murdered aged 27 in 2004, was requested by her grandson Joseph for a spot the place kids who’ve skilled the lack of a beloved one as a result of acts of homicide or violence may come collectively.
The charity gives fixed emotional help to the kids it helps, in addition to actions reminiscent of their annual ‘OLLY Olympics’ and music and dance periods, or days out like their current journeys to Blackpool Illuminations and Rascalz delicate play centre in Birkenhead.
Greater than 600 kids use the companies supplied by OLLY, and Jean mentioned the donation of the caravan by Rafael and Montse will make an immeasurable distinction to the lives of the kids who will make use of it.
Jean, who additionally based the group Households Preventing For Justice, of which OLLY is a component, mentioned: “No baby asks to stay in poverty and deprivation.
“This caravan will take these sorts of kids out of these communities the place deprivation and poverty exists, and convey them to a contented place.
“Due to the superb Montse and Rafa Benitez, they’ve allowed us to carry them to the countryside, to take them the place they will go and have a swim, horse using, or right down to the seaside simply throughout the street.
“If it wasn’t for that kindness, and considering of others much less lucky, this caravan wouldn’t exist.
“A caravan has been on the OLLY want checklist for seven years. You’ll be able to think about what it was like when Montse mentioned: ‘I need to purchase a caravan.’ I mentioned: ‘What sort are you in search of?’ and she or he mentioned: ‘Not for me, for you; for OLLY!’
“The one park I might ever have put a caravan on is Lyons Robin Hood. That is one of the best caravan park ever, and I say that from expertise as a result of they (the kids) have been spending a day yearly right here.
“They’ve been made to really feel so welcome; it’s very family-orientated, and that’s what I like about it. They all the time give again and so they take care of the neighborhood; it’s a wonderful caravan park.”
Kids who’re helped by OLLY will benefit from the caravan at Lyons Robin Hood
Montse, nicknamed ‘The Angel of Kindness’ for her repeated acts of generosity, praised Jean’s tireless work as founding father of OLLY, and echoed her husband’s sentiments in regards to the tangible influence of serving to these in your neighborhood.
Montse added: “She (Jean) has such a drive and such ardour; she has improved the lives of kids in Merseyside.
“The great factor is, we are able to meet the kids and discuss to them and really know the circumstances they’re beneath.
“We’ve all the time thought that each baby ought to have good reminiscences from their childhood. Generally, after they come to the Wirral, or to Crosby, for a few of them, it’s the primary time they’ve ever seen the ocean, so we thought possibly this may very well be a good suggestion.
“There are lots of people on this planet who need assistance, however then you already know that, a 10-minute drive from your private home, possibly some kids are chilly in the course of the evening. Earlier than making an attempt to beat the world, let’s begin checking out our residence. That was the principle concept; let’s (first) sort out issues we are able to handle at residence.”
Beth Hughes, PR government for Lyons Vacation Parks, added: “What an absolute privilege it was to welcome Jean Taylor from the OLLY charity and Rafa and Montse Benitez to our park.
“The work they do collectively is unbelievable, and chatting with all of them highlights simply how a lot this vacation residence is required.
“The OLLY charity is devoted to providing respite to kids who deserve it – and if we can assist in any approach with that, then the pleasure is all ours.
“We’re all about household and neighborhood at Lyons Vacation Parks, which is why we’ll be helping Jean and the charity with many occasions, incentives and little on a regular basis issues all year long, reminiscent of soccer tournaments for the youngsters in the summertime.
“We’re so thrilled that the kids not solely get to spend time at our Rhyl park, however they’re going to additionally obtain passes (which is a part of the possession package deal) to entry all services in any respect Lyons parks in North Wales and Cumbria.
“This implies these deserving kids will have the ability to have enjoyable within the amusement arcades, splash about in our many swimming pools, watch our world-class leisure reveals and participate in our many occasions and actions.
“It is such a beautiful trigger and each Rafa and Montse had been completely great, as had been all our group; particularly the advertising group at Lyons Robin Hood, and the hospitality group led by Zayneb Farhoud at Lyons Nant Corridor (Prestatyn), the place Jean and the OLLY patrons loved a particular menu by famend chef Tyler – who not solely acquired his arm signed by Rafa, however completed his shift and headed straight to the tattoo parlour the place he acquired his hero’s signature inked.”
For extra data on the work of OLLY, go to: www.ourlostloveyears.co.uk.
When you’ve got a baby that you just really feel may benefit from any of OLLY’s companies, you may contact Jean at: [email protected].
To seek out out extra in regards to the Montse Benitez Basis, go to: www.rafabenitez.com/mbfoundation.
