The City of
London Benevolent Association was set up in 1879 “to relieve,
either by donations or annuities (limited or otherwise) necessitous
and deserving persons who are or shall have been since 1874
inclusive members of the
Court of
Common Council or the widows, widowers or children of such
persons”.
The Association consists of the
Lord Mayor, aldermen and commoners, on their
becoming subscribers or life members, and those past members of the
court who continue their annual subscription. The Association is
managed by a committee consisting of the Lord Mayor, six aldermen
and 29 commoners, one from each ward or side of ward, who are
elected by the members of the Association at the Annual General
Meeting, which is normally held in July each year.
Applications for assistance are
considered by the trustees each year and presented through the ward
deputy representing the ward of the member, widow, widower or child
of the member or former member.
It may be helpful to indicate that a
person does not normally have to be destitute to be eligible for
help. The advice from the Charity Commission is that “generally
speaking, anyone who cannot afford the normal things in life which
most people take for granted may qualify for help.” Even a person
who normally has a acceptable standard of living but is suffering
temporary financial hardship, perhaps because of an accident, a
death in the family, or other setback, could qualify for
assistance.
The net assets of the Association as
at 31 December 2001 were £173,566. The total income for that year
was £8,471. In recent years, the charity’s investment income has
exceeded the expenditure and the trustees are keen to ensure that
all members, and, particularly their families, are aware of the
opportunity for financial assistance.
All members of the Court of Common
Council are eligible to become a member of the Association and have
the option of becoming either a life member on payment of £5, or an
annual member on payment of £1 per annum.
If you eligible, and are not already a
member, and wish to join, please send a cheque made payable to “The
City of London Benevolent Association”.
Further information:
The Office is open from 9.15 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Monday to
Friday.
Tel: 020 7332 1432
Applications forms should be sent
to:
The Honorary Secretary
The City of London Benevolent Association
Town Clerk’s Office
City of London
PO Box 270
Guildhall
London
EC2P 2EJ
Registered Charity
Number 206643