One of the first charitable tasks
undertaken by the early guilds was to care for their members
in sickness and old age. Many livery companies still support
or maintain almshouses for elderly people throughout the
country.
As guilds grew wealthier in the Middle Ages,
rich liverymen left specific sums for the provision of shelter and
food for their own members who were in need. Some of the charitable
trusts formed in this way still exist and centuries of careful
stewardship have resulted in the Livery being able to supplement
the state's provision in many cases of real hardship.
The best known name in the history of the City
of London was responsible for one of these long-lived trusts.
Richard Whittington, a Mercer who died in 1423, left property worth
at the time some £6,000 (the equivalent of many millions today) for
almshouses. The trust still exists and has a substantial income
which provides comfort and dignity for elderly people and others in
need.
In addition to this traditional use of their
charitable funds, many companies have broadened their giving into
many other areas of life at home and abroad. Developing countries,
people with disabilities, museums and libraries, housing, the arts,
young people and medical research are among the causes which
benefit.
To supplement the income from property and the
charitable trusts, many liverymen constantly give their own money
and raise large sums each year for special projects.