Tragic news has rocked the community as we learned that the entertainer and fundraiser extraordinaire Steve Spit (Brian Thomas McLeod BEM) passed away on Tuesday, aged just 54, surrounded by his family and friends.
The news of his untimely death has left many in shock and disbelief as they come to terms with the loss of a truly beloved figure.
Stevie gained international recognition for his incredible fundraising efforts. His determination and spirit captured the hearts of people around the world, inspiring many to support his numerous causes and donate to his multitude of charities.
Stevie was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer only recently, but such was the speed of it’s spread to the lungs, colon and liver, that he passed away within two short months. Friends, family, and supporters are left reeling from the news, struggling to come to terms with the loss of someone who touched so many lives. Known for his resilience and unwavering positivity, Stevie was a beacon of hope for those facing challenges of their own. His legacy will live on through the countless lives he has impacted and the incredible feats he achieved during his time on earth.
As the community mourns the loss of Stevie Spit, tributes pour in from all corners of the globe, remembering him as a true inspiration. His memory will forever be etched in the hearts of those who knew him, and his legacy will continue to inspire for generations to come.
Our thoughts are with Stevie’s loved ones during this difficult time, as we remember the remarkable man who defied the odds and touched the lives of so many. Rest in peace, Stevie. You will be deeply missed.
So, who was Stevie Spit?
Well, had Stevie Spit been an American, he would surely have received a star on the coveted Hollywood Walk of Fame. But here in Spain we have no such accolades to offer so he was simply told, over and again, that he was just a thoroughly nice fella. Admittedly the BEM was a bonus, however, and nothing less than he deserved.
We knew him best for being decked out in any one of a number of colourful velvet gowns, with gorgeous hair, detailed makeup and countless rhinestones. He always looked glamorous, calling himself “an elegant individual who is an over-exaggeration of the feminine ideal.”
By night, he would put on show-stopping performances as a drag queen but by day he was simply Stevie — a reserved, unassuming charity worker who was quietly making his way through life here on the Costa Blanca.
Stevie first began creating his drag persona at the age of 16 when, like so many other youngsters, he sought fame and fortune on the London stage, eventually finding work at the legendary Soho nightclub Madame Jojo’s.
After 3 or 4 years on the London circuit he took to the road, featuring at venues across the country including the Royal Vauxhall Tavern as a support act for Paul O’Grady, AKA Lilly Savage. “Paul gave me my very first bag of makeup’” he told the Leader in a previous interview, “then spending hours showing me how it should be properly applied.”
Stevie took his act all over Europe and became extremely popular, particularly within the military community in Germany. “Performing in BAOR seemed rather natural to me, having spent my formative years growing up in Herford, Lippstadt, and Soest where my father served in the Royal Signals.” It was like going home, although working the closing down parties as the military began to withdraw was rather sad.”
By this time Stevie was well established on the Costa Blanca. He had the best of both worlds. he was performing in Corfu, Crete, Malta and so forth during the summer and returning to the Costa Blanca for the winter season.
As he became settled, his work with local charities gradually began to develop. Gradually began to take up more and more of Stevie’s time, with his well-documented support for the Elche Children’s Home and the San Jose Obrero Orphanage in Orihuela, for which he has raised many thousands of euros.
As a result of a meeting with aid worker Jen Lancer, the Chief of Staff at the American University in Kabul, until just a few years ago, Stevie was also making regular trips to Afghanistan where his shows provided valuable financial support for the Zwan Family Charity, an organisation run by Dr Gran Zwan, which manages 3 local orphanages in the Afghan capital.
The charity helps children to get the medical care and the operations that they need in a city that is gradually rebuilding itself, with assistance from the international community.
As one of the most caring and giving people on the Costa Blanca the list of charities that Stevie supported just went on and on.
His ‘Summer Shoe Drives’, and his regular mattress appeals were focussed on ensuring that every one of the hundred children living in the Elche Children’s Home and the San Jose Obrero Orphanage in Orihuela, had a decent pair of shoes for school as well as a comfortable bed to lie on.
“Money is so tight at the two orphanages,” he recently told me, “so if we can do these two little things to help, it will make things so much easier for the kids themselves and of course for their carers.”
But Stevie was also involved in so many other charities and fundraising appeals. We remember the thousands of euros he raised for Tasha Lynch, who suffered from a rare muscular disease. Tasha sadly died in 2019 but not before she had been touched by Stevie’s generosity.
I remember also his fundraiser for the parents of young Kai Fawcett who died while playing football in 2018 La Zenia beach. And of course there were many, many more; Samaritans in Spain, of which he was a Patron, Help at Home Costa Blanca, The Royal British Legion, DEBRA Butterfly children, Men’s Shed in San Fulgencio, Gary Doggett who lost a let just a year ago and the displaced people of Ukraine. The list just goes on and on.
When awarding his BEM in the 2019 New Years Honours List the British Ambassador, Hugh Elliot, said “Stevie (as most people know him) is a truly inspirational fundraiser. His enthusiasm is such that whenever he organises one of his many impromptu charity fundraisers it is almost a guaranteed success, such is his support from the local Costa Blanca community.”
In response, Steve said, “In the years when I was flitting in and out of Afghanistan, under the radar of the Taliban in order to raise desperately needed funds for war-torn children, I never dreamed in a million years it would lead to me being awarded a BEM. I’m feeling very honoured to be recognised in this way.”
All that I can now say, also in response is, Stevie, it is us who feel honoured, and extremely proud, simply for knowing you, as we remember the extraordinary life and legacy that you leave behind. We are thinking of you today, missing you so much but remembering your life of service, love and dedication to everyone and to your family, who loved you so very much. From those of us whose hearts you touched, may your spirit of compassion and hope live on forever.
