The Royal British Legion in Spain is mourning the loss of it’s most senior member, Pamela Dawson Tasker BEM, who passed away last week at her home in Alfaz del Pi.
Pamela moved to Spain in 1980 where it took less than two years for her to become involved with the Royal British Legion and the Poppy Appeal. Very much in its infancy, there were just 8 Poppy Appeal coordinators at the time with the very first meeting to decide boundaries, held in her house. The first branches of the Legion in Spain appeared a couple of years later.
Pam then went on the join the District Committee on which she served for many years as Poppy Appeal coordinator and PRO.
But the RBL was not her only line of support. Moving from Calpe to Alfaz del Pi she quickly became the head of the Spanish Association against Cancer where, in 2003, she was also a founder of the local board.
She continued with her charitable work with the Alicante Association against Cancer and the RBL, founding the Benidorm and District branch of the Legion. She was instrumental in the move of the Poppy Appeal launch to Benidorm where it has now been held, most successfully, since 2013.
On her retirement from the RBL District Committee Pam was awarded a Cerfiicate of Appreciation and then In 2014 she received the Queen’s British Empire Medal from the British Ambassador in Madrid, in recognition of her charitable work and her efforts on behalf of the British community in Spain.
Just last year Pam was also recognised for her charity work by her adopted home town of Alfaz with a ‘Woman of the Year Award’, el Premio Mujer Relevante en el ámbito social 2022.
The photo shows Pamela receiving her BEM from Simon Manley, the British Ambassador to Spain.