Page 34 - BPW-UK ANNUAL REVIEW 2023-2024

The Trustees of the BPW Members Emergency Fund remain in regular contact with each
other, mainly via email, waiting to respond to all enquiries re Grants (up to £1K) or Loans
(dependent on the amount available to pay back within a reasonable length of time), from
members of BPW who have over the years made a contribution to MEF. In 2023 we had no
applications from BPW members so we were once again able to allow BPW members to nomi-
nate charities known to them to apply for a one-off £1K Grant. You will see from the Ac-
counts that we gave Grants to the following Charities in 2023:

The Lilias Graham Trust; NI Women’s Aid; Soroptimists International President’s
Appeal; Wellbeing Scotland; Brown’s More Hair; the Hygiene Bank and the Rainbow Trust.
We prefer to support Charities who work with women and children.

Some time ago we agreed that we would keep a balance of at least £40K in the account
available only to BPW members so as you can see from the current balance, we will be able to
invite applications from BPW members on behalf of charities known to them later in 2024.

In the meantime, can I reiterate the purpose of MEF – it is to give Grants or Loans to
BPW members who have contributed in any way to the Fund during their time as BPW mem-
bers to meet emergency costs of say replacing a cooker or a computer, especially if working
from home, or even ensuring your home is ‘wind and water tight’ and cosy. Loans are availa-
ble to enable a member to undertake an educational or work-related course which would en-
hance their job opportunities; assistance to establish their own business or to take a com-
pletely different career path. If you are unsure if you would meet the criteria for a Grant or
a Loan don’t be afraid to contact either your local Trustee or our Treasurer or myself at any
time – contact details can be obtained via the BPW office. The funds, accumulated from BPW
members’ contributions over the years, are there to be used and shared amongst the members
who require that little bit of support to live a less stressful life, so please don’t be afraid to
approach us if you think we can help in anyway.

Isobel Munro,
Chairman of Trustees

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