received a letter from DG Sols saying that HSBC would refund me all my charges - only £258, so not as much as some peoples, but still, it will come in handy!!!
for anyone thinking of doing this, please do it! and dont get disheartened along the way - i didnt hear ANYTHING until this letter, just kept sending the standard letters...
so thanks to this brilliant site and to all the people who helped along the way!