Joe Duggan (Reporter)
GIBRALTAR football star Liam Walker is leading a band of volunteers at a La Linea-based homeless charity.
The former Portsmouth midfielder has been lending a hand at Hogar Betania alongside fellow Lincoln Red Imps player, Guido Ezequiel Abayián.
The charity provides food, shelter and guidance to hundreds of vulnerable Gibraltarians, Spaniards, expats and refugees, including children, victims of violence and of human trafficking.
But the centre is desperately short of funds going into the Christmas season.
It needs donations of food, clothes and toys as well as volunteers to refurbish bedrooms.
“When you see people living in the streets without a home it’s very upsetting,” Walker told the Olive Press.
“I think it’s fantastic that these volunteers are here to help. For people in their spare time to help out is a wonderful gesture.
“At Christmas, it’s all about being around family,” he added. “A lot of the people here don’t have anyone. So if people can help out here in any way, I think they should.”
When the Olive Press visited Hogar Betania, Gibraltar international Liam and Guido were hard at work helping families and residents who come to the shelter.
People can donate via debit card, bankers draft or paypal on www.hogarbetania.es with more info on the Facebook page.
Toys, food and clothes can be donated to Hogar Betania, 152 Calle Gibraltar on every day except Sunday.
The Santa Margarita Scout Group is also collecting toy (not second-hand) donations on Saturday 12 December, in the Plaza de Iglesias, La Linea from 11.00-14.00. Contact: c_moya_langston@hotmail.com
