Benevolence – “a desire to do good to others; charitable”
Click here for the latest information about your Benevolent Trust.
Your Trust has supported Treloars at Alton, Hampshire for many years. The school provides a safe learning environment for many with physical handicaps and one example of the Trust’s recent help is the provision of Tomcat Trikes to enable students to take part in sports.
Benevolence is at the heart of the Carmen
Like all City Livery Companies, the Carmen are very much involved in supporting those in need as well as causes associated with the industries which gave rise to the Livery.
The Worshipful Company of Carmen Benevolent Trust CIO is the Livery’s vehicle for benevolence.
As a Carman you should see it as YOUR Trust.
What is the Carmen Benevolent Trust ?
A recent meeting of the Carmen Benevolent Trust board
The Worshipful Company of Carmen Benevolent Trust CIO (the ‘Trust’) is how the Livery demonstrates its commitment to benevolence and its support for the industries which employ carmen.
As so often with ancient institutions, the charitable work of the Livery has been conducted in a variety of ways over the years. The London Cartage Fund was founded in 1864, and it ran alongside the Carmen’s Fund established by the Court in 1939 until they were merged in 1995. The present charity was set up in 2016 to continue the work as a Charitable Incorporated Organization – giving it a legal identity for the first time.
Our livery has a long history and, as with all other liveries, benevolence is at the heart of its activities. Livery companies are among the greatest sources of philanthropy in Britain and Carmen certainly play their part.
Your Trust is run by seven trustees. They ensure that income is used to support education, transport and logistics, City institutions and the relief of hardship among Carmen and their dependants. “Education” includes scholarships for disadvantaged students and support for state schools and colleges to help them ensure their work is truly inclusive. There is more detail about Carmen’s support of education here.
The seven trustees are appointed by the Court having regard to a list of recommended persons supplied by the existing trustees. All are Liverymen, four being members of the Court. Their names are listed in the latest Annual Report.
These trustees meet four times a year to manage the charity and identify new needs within the core objects. The Honorary Secretary will be pleased to explain more, to forward proposals and requests to the trustees and to hear from Liverymen who feel they may wish to become trustees in the future – especially those who may be able to add to the diversity of the existing trustees. Please contact the Honorary Secretary by writing to carmenbentrust@hotmail.com. All requests for financial help for individuals are treated in the strictest confidence.
The Worshipful Company of Carmen Benevolent Trust Scholarship provides accommodation for one pupil at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (picture used with permission).
None of this can happen without Carmen themselves and a majority support the Trust through regular standing orders. These mean we can meet our regular commitments. We also welcome one-off donations, of course.
This is where you come in
- Please consider carefully whether you could make a regular payment if you don’t already do so. Some Carmen are able to make substantial donations, while others can only give just a few pounds a year. All are very welcome and help the Trust achieve its objects of providing support for transport, logistics and education. To set up a standing order, complete the standing order form and the included Gift Aid declaration (if you are able) and return it through our Clerk to the Secretary of the Carmen Benevolent Trust. Click here to download and print the standing order form.
- Remember the Benevolent Trust in your will
Regular standing orders provide the necessary funds for work to continue at its present level. Donations from UK taxpayers are normally eligible for Gift Aid, which increases their value to the Trust by 25% and also qualifies for tax relief for Higher Rate taxpayers themselves. The value of individual standing orders varies, but £100 a year (or £25 a quarter) plus Gift Aid is common.
Thank you for supporting the Carmen Benevolent Trust.
The Worshipful Company of Carmen Benevolent Trust CIO is a Registered Charity in England & Wales, No 1164687