Charitable Trust News
The Trustees (being the Master (ex officio), the Junior Warden, Liverymen Crease, Fidler, Goodridge, Ross and Barry Rose and (until Common Hall on 30 October myself) have met four times during the course of 2008 and considered a number of applications for financial assistance. In deciding which ventures to support the Trustees have had particular regard to whether it has any connection with the City of London and/or dispute resolution. Besides continuing to award prizes to those excelling in their exams at City Law School, at King’s College and at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, the Trustees have set up prizes for “peacemakers” at the City of London School and King Edward’s School, Witley. They have also established a bursary for a needy pupil at the latter School. The Trust continues to support a student at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and looking to assist a student studying dispute resolution at one of the London Universities.
The highlight of the year was the Charity Concert at St Mary-le-Bow in June. This was organised by Chris Dancaster and Liveryman Michael Gifkins and raised a four figure sum. It was particularly gratifying to hear David Bellinger of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, whom the Trustees have supported in the past, give his vocal all. Consideration is now being given to another fund-raising venture in the not-too-distant future.
In the meantime we are grateful to those who make financial contributions to the Trust, whether on a regular or one-off basis. As regards the latter one of our number had a particularly significant birthday and asked his friends to give something to the Trust rather than to him when they asked what he would like to mark the occasion. Another who engaged in a triathlon shared with us the sum he raised for charity. Splendid – and thank you!
The assets of the Trust are a mixture of gilt-edged and blue chip securities as well as cash in the bank and a portfolio managed by Butterfield Bank. Despite the very difficult investment conditions of late we have weathered the storm reasonably well – so far.
At the end of the last meeting I stood down as Chairman of the Trust after a stint lasting more than five years. The Trustees unanimously elected Liveryman Michael Goodridge as my successor. I wish him well in his new role and take this opportunity to thank those who have helped me in the past.
If any of you should have a cause which it thinks the Company should support or indeed a fund-raising venture in which it should engage which is effective – and fun – please do not be shy and let me (or one of the Trustees) know what it is!
John Rushton