Page 36 - Chiron Autumn 2017

RAVC BENEVOLENCE
By Lt Col Abby DuBaree – Regimental Secretary
This article was rst published in the Spring edition of 2013 and we are publishing it for the bene t of new members of the Corps and also to update our readers on how money raised through benevolence is distributed.
Donations
The main income from the RAVC Benevolence is through the ‘Days Pay Scheme’. This is where the regular of cers of the Corps make a voluntary donation of one and half days’ pay a year and soldiers donate one day’s pay a year, paid in twelve monthly instalments, which is collected at source through their pay.
We also receive donations from pass members and the occasional legacy from ex-members of the Corps who have passed away.
Although movement is afoot to set up a system for Reserve members of the Corps to make donations, they can presently make a voluntary donation to the RAVC Benevolent Fund through their Squadron. This will then allow these members and their families to have access to RAVC Benevolence should they be unfortunate to fall in time of need. It will also allow serving reservists a facility to apply for adventurous training grants.
Objectives
The objectives of RAVC Benevolence are:
1. To promote the ef ciency of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps by fostering esprit de corps, comradeship and the welfare of the Corps and preserving its traditions.
2. The relief of past and present members of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps and their dependants who are in need by virtue of nancial hardship, sickness or the effects of old age by grants, loans, gifts pensions or otherwise.
Trustees
As well as the Regimental Secretary who is the Benevolence Secretary, there are 8 Trustees on the Benevolence Committee. The Chairman is the Colonel Commandant and members include the Hon Col Comdt, the CVO, CO DATR, Corps RSM, two serving of cers and RSM of 1 MWD Regt RAVC.
Although the Trustees meet formally at least twice a year, they are called upon to make ‘out of committee decisions’ when necessary. Minutes of their meetings are published following each meeting and are also available on the Association website.
Entitlement to Benevolence
Those entitled to access RAVC
Benevolence are also known as bene ciaries, and are:
• Soldier/Of cer of the regular RAVC who has served a minimum of one day in the Corps.
• Soldier/Of cer of the Reserves whose service include an operational deployment.
• A school age dependent or child of a soldier/of cer as above.
• A spouse currently married or was married to the bene ciary while he/she was serving.
• Other close relatives who are nancially dependent on the bene ciary.
How we help those in need
Anyone in need of a welfare/benevolent grant must rst contact a Caseworker from SSAFA, the RBL (Royal British Legion) or Of cers Association in the rst instance. The caseworker will complete a ‘Form A’ which provides the information on all incomings and outgoings, service details of the entitled soldier/of cer, assets, savings, any dependent children, health state, the help needed and any estimates to support the application. The ‘Form A’ is then sent to the respective Regimental Benevolence for consideration.
The caseworker will also decide whether the case should be forwarded to the RBL and ABF (Army Benevolent Fund) at the same time.
Upon receipt of an application, the Regimental Secretary will decide whether the assistance needed falls into the entitled category and whether he is able to make a decision on behalf of the Trustees, within his delegated authority. If not, he will summarise and forward the case to the Trustees for a decision.
RAVC Assistance in last 2 Years
In the last 2 years, the RAVC Benevolence has granted over £15,000 to 14 cases in need. Grants are made for items such as: Rent Arrears, Rent deposits, Stair lift, Electric Powered Vehicle, Conversion of bathrooms, rent deposit, funeral grants, wreaths, assisting bereaved families, carpet replacement, white goods and memorials.
Although some of the examples given are large items, the cost is normally shared with other charities that the bene ciary is also entitled to apply to. These can be SSAFA, RBL, ABF, Of cers Association, other Corps/
Regt that the bene ciary has served in and any organisations/companies where an individual has been employed since leaving the Army.
Adventurous Training
As well as welfare grants to those in need, the RAVC Benevolence also makes grants in support of serving members of the Corps participating in a level 3 adventurous training pursuit. This applies to serving members only and they can apply to the RAVC Benevolence for a contribution towards their personal cost.
The RAVC Benevolence has made grants in excess of £5,000 to serving members taking part on adventurous training in the last 2 years. Example of these included, abseiling, rock climbing, free fall parachuting, canoeing, kayaking, horse riding, trekking, international triathlon and climbing the Everest.
AMSSU
The RAVC Benevolence makes an annual contribution to the Army Medical Services Sports Union (AMSSU) and last year’s contribution was £2,000. This contribution is in support of RAVC serving of cers/soldiers who are participating in of cially recognised sports by the AMSSU. In the last two years we have had members participating in skiing, snow boarding, parachuting, rugby and riding. Each recognised sport by the AMSSU has its own secretary, whom RAVC members should approach for nancial support for their participation. The Regt Sec RAVC is available to provide advice to RAVC members.
Others Support
The RAVC Benevolence also support activities other than welfare/ benevolence. Example of these are: Incidental costs for Royal visit to RAVC units, Commissioning of Corps paintings, memorials, subsidies to Association events, Dickin Medal presentations and support to bereaved families and injured RAVC members on operation. The RAVC amenities also spent £16,000 on the purchase of the marquee for the gymnasium at the DATR and those who attended the Reunion in September 2017 would have appreciated the transformation to the gymnasium. Finally, other administrative expenses include; the website, IT support, stamps, Chiron Calling etc.
34 CHIRON CALLING