How we have helped

Alistair, an engineer with wife and three very young children, died suddenly in the night from a violent asthma attack.

His wife writes how she felt and how the Fund helped her: "When my husband died last year, very suddenly and unexpectedly, our world was ripped apart. Coping with personal grief is difficult enough, but helping children come to terms with their own loss is heartbreaking. You feel that the world should stand still and grieve with you, but that doesn't happen.  The bills still fall on the mat and suddenly you realise that you have to meet them.  The financial implications alone were terrifying. I was urged by my husband’s colleague to contact the Benevolent Fund and I now  receive a monthly grant which makes an incredible difference to our lives.  We also received a grant for a holiday, something that I couldn't have provided without the Fund’s extraordinary help. " 

Robert tragically suffered a stroke in January 2003 at the very young age of 37. He was unable to work and was taking medication just to lead a reasonably normal life. Robert, a lone parent, has three young children aged 6, 8 and 12.

The Fund helps Robert and his family with an annual holiday, a car allowance (he lives in a very rural area) and a bills allowance, which has enabled him to replace his washing machine and gas fire.

He also has a regular monthly allowance of £85  from the Fund, which tops up his state benefits.

  Brian said: "We are both tremendously appreciative, not only of the benefits of the Fund which has rescued us from a distressed old age, but also of the kindness and consideration extended to us by the staff".

Brian, a civil engineer and hydrologist, believed that his retirement years in Zimbabwe would be secure.  He had worked for forty years in Zimbabwe's Ministry of Water Development becoming Chief Hydrologist and retiring as a Deputy Permanent Secretary. 

The catastrophe of Zimbabwe's political and economic decline arrived at the moment that his lifelong affliction of skin cancer needed serious specialist attention.  The country's health system had virtually collapsed.

Brian was obliged to sell his home and its contents to move with his wife to retirement in the UK.  He was not permitted to bring back any of his capital or pension (which was worthless in the wake of 600% inflation).

Brian and Diana are now comfortably settled among fellow beneficiaries of the Fund in a house at Mill Hill Close in Haywards Heath.

Adam said: "I contacted the Ben Fund who went through my problems systematically, helping me with the difficult task of bankruptcy and the support necessary in the first year. I am now slowly beginning to build a new career and life and I can honestly say that the Fund has been invaluable in providing practical and financial support".

At 37 Adam's career was in tatters, after a bitter battle with his employer, which resulted in a stressful constructive dismissal case. During this period he lost his partner, home, job and security.

Adam tried to make a fresh start, went back to college and then tried to emigrate. All his plans fell through and he now had huge debts to contend with.

Adam was in despair until he contacted the ICE.

Catherine said: "After my husband's death, I found it very difficult to manage with my son Bill and my little granddaughter. Looking after them both meant that I was unable to go back to work. After months of trying to cope, I was terribly desperate and very much alone when I contacted the Fund. The kindness and financial support has been absolutely wonderful, making it possible for me to happily settle my small dependant family into a stable happy home. My husband was always very proud to be a Chartered Engineer. Now I know why."

Catherine, a widow of a Civil Engineer, was finding it difficult to cope financially. She has a severely autistic son who lives with her and she has sole responsibility for her granddaughter.

The Fund has given Catherine a secured loan which has helped her pay off debts and start afresh.

The names in these stories have been altered to preserve confidentiality, and not all the photographs are of those involved. The stories and quotations, however, are the words of those who have been assisted by the Benevolent Fund.