Notification of Membership Amnesty & Increase in Monthly Subscription from April 2024

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The Scottish Police Benevolent Fund is the ONLY Police Charity fully dedicated to Scottish serving Police Officers, Support Staff, Retired members, and their families.  It exists purely through the generous donations given by its subscribing members.

Created in 2012 following the amalgamation of the eight Scottish Police Forces, since then the charity has issued more than £2.5 million in grants and other financial assistance to its members, their families, and other worthy causes.  The charity operates with the intention of preventing or alleviating poverty and the relief of those in need by reason of ill health, disability, or financial hardship.

Examples of assistance previously provided include:

  • Assistance with specialist medical equipment or house adjustments for members who have been injured or become disabled in some way through illness.
  • Assisting members children who have required specialist medical equipment or care due to severe disablement or illness.
  • Assistance to secure basic needs and household equipment to families suffering severe financial stress.

Awards are issued by way of a full grant or an interest free loan over an agreed period.

The Charity will soon celebrate its 12-year anniversary.  It is a testament to the Trustees and other volunteers who maintain the Charity on behalf of its members that the monthly subscription fee has not increased since its inception and remained at £1.50 before tax for almost 12 years. This equates to an actual cost per member of only £1.20 or less per month depending on your tax band.

The Charity to cover increased costs, inflation and on-going demands placed upon it, will be increasing the monthly subscription from APRIL 2024, to £1.95 per calendar month.   This equates to £1.56 a month after tax deduction at source, an increase of only 36 pence a month!

Serving Members are reminded that only those subscribing are eligible to submit an application for assistance.  Eligible retired members who have paid subscriptions to date of retirement are entitled to honorary life membership of the fund.

 

AMNESTY OFFER FOR SERVING OFFICERS & SUPPORT STAFF CURRENTLY NOT MEMBERS

The Charity is pleased to announce that for a short period, non-members of the Charity will be afforded the opportunity to join the Fund under the terms as afforded to new recruits to the service.

PLEASE NOTE: Serving Police Officers AND Police Support Staff members are eligible to join.

Members joining the Charity at time of taking service are afforded a three-month period of free subscription, before commencing payment.  Members who normally join on a later date are not afforded this free period, nor eligible to apply for assistance for a period of at least 12 months from joining in line with similar schemes.

New members joining during this moratorium period will therefore receive the 3-month free period and be eligible to apply with immediate effect.   This offer will NOT be repeated and ends on 31/01/24.

If you are not already a member and would like to join then please go to our website at https://spbf.org.uk/how-to-apply/ or use the QR Code below, where you can download the application form and submit via email.

 

Life sadly has a way of throwing you a curve ball at times!

Do you and your family a favour for less than the cost of a cup of coffee a month and know that you have somewhere to turn to in your time of need.

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NEW BEGINNINGS

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The SPBF Trustees on behalf of its members would like to congratulate the new incoming Chief Constable Jo Farrell & we look forward to working closely with her. We would also like to thank CC Livingstone for his efforts over the years as the honorary president of the charity.

Further details will follow in due course.

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BIFF BAFF BOSH for DOSH!

Fundraising

Fancy a night out whilst raising money for a good cause? Then this could be just the event for you!!

Rebecca Strachan is going to don the padded gloves and box to raise funds for the SPBF at the upcoming Premier White Collar Boxing promoted event scheduled for Saturday 8th April, 2023, 4 till 10pm at the OVG Podium in Aberdeen.

Already in training for the event, Rebecca wanted to do something for friends in the Police family who have had a positive influence in her life and helped shape the person she is today. She is currently undergoing a supported intensive training programme together with her friends and trainer to get ‘match fit’ and come Saturday 8th April, she will be shuffling those feet, dancing like a butterfly and stinging like a bee!

So if you like a bit of boxing and a good night out then tickets can be bought at the following link, PWCB Aberdeen Event

Alternatively tickets can be purchased in person at Aberdeen Combat and Fitness Centre.

If you would simply just like to support Rebecca in her quest towards raising funds for our charity then you can donate to her Just giving page via the link here

We look forward to hearing how she gets on and wish her every success, knock em out Rebecca!

MUSICAL CHAIRS! – we have a new one!!

Fundraising

Nothing ever stays the same for long and at the SPBF we are no different. At the recent 2022 AGM, the Trustees said goodbye to our outgoing chair, Cath McNally, who has held the post for around two years now. Cath is finally hanging up her boots as a serving officer and moving on to new adventures. We wish her every happiness and success in her future endeavours and thank her for all her years of service with the charity as a local representative, Trustee and laterally Chair of the Trustees Board. Cath’s knowledge and steady hand will be greatly missed and we take this opportunity to thank her warmly for all her efforts and kindness over the years.

And as one door closes another opens! We would like to introduce and congratulate our newly elected Chair, Lynne Gray. Like Cath, Lynne has been part of the charity for a number of years at both local and Trustee level and we look forward to Lynne taking the tiller and maintaining a steady hand on the good ship SPBF! No pressure Lynne!! (pictured below)

It would also be prudent, to say a slightly belated but nether the less, big thank you to Stephen Clark who likewise until earlier this year was our Secretary until his retirement. Stephen was also a long serving member of the charity and made a massive contribution to its success over many years. He will be fondly remembered for his humour and importantly balanced approach when it came to dealing with charity business. Again Stephen thank you for all your years service and support and we wish you every success and an enjoyable retirement.

A small presentation took place when Stephen left where he was presented with a cake to remind him of how his legacy will live in our memory for years to come! (see below). We also welcome our new Secretary Graham Ross, who was duly elected to the position and having settled into the role quickly, we look forward to working with Graham over the years to come.

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SPBF 2022 AGM – Chair’s Address

Meetings

At the recent 2022 AGM held on Monday 15th August at The Scottish Police Treatment Centre, Castlebrae, Auchterarder, Cath McInally, the outgoing Chair of the SPBF gave her annual address to those in attendance, a copy of which is replicated below:

“Can I welcome you all to this year’s, our tenth, Annual General Meeting of the Scottish Police Benevolent Fund and it is a pleasure to welcome you all to Castlebrae where we now used to meeting in person regularly.

In reflection it has been another significant and challenging year for all charities and for those we support. Our financial position has improved since the last year with a surplus improving the bank balance while debtors reduced, these factors a direct result of rigorous application of our guiding principles and a clearer long-term financial view. We continue to have in place a formal financial strategy which will inform our short and long-term budgeting. The number of beneficiaries has decreased on the previous year to 19 but we provided grants totalling £126109.18 and increased the value of loans to £29273.39 which represents strong support to those we have assisted.  The charity has paid out a significant amounts of financial support to individuals and families in need and I will leave our Auditor to deliver the financial status in more detail of the charity over the last year.  I am pleased that the charity is functioning as it should be and continuing to deliver financial support to those who need it most. Once again I will make no apologies for reiterating that we are a charity of last resort and not a first port of call.  We are also not the provider of financial advice but we can assist to signpost those who approach us to appropriate organisations.

As the pandemic progressed we anticipated a flood of applications and saw at the beginning a number of applications where the applicants anticipated financial hardship sometime in the future and requested assistance at that time. These were not supported in line with our guiding principles. A steady number of applications have been submitted over the last year but few directly related to the impact of the pandemic. Few of us last year could have predicted the difficult position we now face as the Cost of Living crisis bites. As prices increase and incomes stagnate our members may be forced to turn to the charity for support. Many are predicting a more challenging financial position for many families with limited support from central sources and it can be reasonable to anticipate the price rises for electricity in particular will disproportionately impact on those relying on medical aids which need power 24/7. All can be reassured that any applications received will  be subject to comparable levels of scrutiny in line with the principles of the fund and support will be provided where financial policy and trustee approval exists.

I’m sure we all appreciate Gary Brown’s concerted and continued efforts to secure various funding sources for this charity. The pandemic has had a bigger impact on all fundraising with a move towards online events and voluntary contributions from viewers however the easing of restrictions may allow traditional fundraising methods to restart and I am confident that the charity is ready to respond to maximise efforts for our beneficiaries. We are realistic that as a small charity we probably do not sit particularly high in the pecking order but Gary has made contacts across fundraising spheres which may be beneficial in the future. The charity will continue to seek funding sources and I again note that the Police Service of Scotland for whom we are their designated charity have contributed no funds since our inception yet continue to support and promote other police related charities.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following individuals and organizations who provide support to the Scottish Police Benevolent Fund:

Mairi McGregor, the charities Treasurer for all her efforts throughout the year to liaise and direct payrolls, manage the applications, negotiate with auditors and generally provide a well-stocked library of historical but relevant information which guides many a Trustee.

Gary Brown, who has managed not only the web-site but has undertaken significant exploration of funding streams since his appointment as part time operations manager.

Stevie Clark, who, while stood down as Secretary last year, remained a valued trustee until his retirement in the summer. I’m sure many of the trustees will continue to use Stevie’s guiding principle that feeling sorry for the situation of others does not automatically transfer to charity funding.

Further thanks go to the Scottish Police Federation, Association of Superintendents and the Retired Police Officers Association who all provide their support directly and indirectly through promoting the charity and providing personnel so that the local committees and the Board of Trustees can deliver and support beneficiaries.

In continuing that theme, the members of the local committees and those who are on the Board of Trustee similarly deserve recognition for the hours that you commit to delivering essential assistance throughout the year.  

It is difficult in terms of our charity to talk about success.  Our constitution provides that the purpose of the Scottish Police Benevolent Fund is the prevention or relief of poverty and the relief of those in need.

During this last year, the charity is supporting 19 new individual beneficiaries.  I will let our auditor highlight the amounts involved.  I should stress that these sums involved are not insignificant and highlight this charities commitment to supporting our members and, often members of the wider police family in times of tragic need.  That commitment will never cease.

In relation to our investments, the global markets have stabilised over the last year and vindicates the advice and decisions at the last  two AGMs to hold onto our existing investments and look to the long term.

Out with the individual beneficiaries that the charity provides, the charity continues to support a number of external causes all of which have a direct link to the Police Service.

While another challenging year for all of us and for the charity we are continuing to support our members through their most difficult of times and we can be reassured that the charity will remain true to the guiding principles which will keep it in a financially stable position for the future.”

SPBF AGM 2022

Meetings

The Scottish Police Benevolent Fund is pleased to announce that the 2022 Annual General Meeting will take place on Monday 14th August 2022. The meeting will take place at The Police Treatment Centre, Castlebrae, Auchterarder. This meeting is scheduled to commence at 10 a.m. All members are invited to attend.

NICE TO BE BACK!

Meetings

This years AGM was successfully held at the Police Treatment Centre, Castlebrae in Auchterarder. As ever we were well looked after by our hosts, providing us with excellent facilities and refreshments to allow us to finally hold a meeting in person.

After such a long time due to Covid restrictions, it was lovely to get back to an actual meeting in person and catch up on what has been happening with the charity and its Trustees.

A special thanks must go out to our Treasurer, Mairi, who as always has put in so much time and effort to keep our cogs and wheels moving smoothly, especially over such a difficult period for everyone involved.

The good news is that the charity remains well placed to support its members and their families and continues to provide invaluable financial support to those in need.

The Trustees wish to thank all those who volunteer at a local level across Scotland, providing support to the charity and doing much work behind the scenes to ensure our members are given the necessary support and assistance they deserve.

THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKING

Fundraising

Our Secretary Stephen Clark, managed to catch up with our intrepid foot warrior Henry Hughes after his sterling effort on this years Kilt Walk raising funds for the Scottish Police Benevolent Fund. Thanks to his massive efforts, he raised a fantastic £450 for the charity, which will be put to great use supporting our officers and their families. A big thank you to Henry from all at SPBF.

If you would like to walk, run, cycle, knit, bake or do any activity in aid of raising funds for our charity, we would love to hear from you and give you our support. No matter how much or little you raise, it all counts towards supporting our members at time of need as Scotland’s ONLY dedicated Police charity for Police Officers, Support Staff and their families. So why not give it a go!!

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SPBF AGM 2021

Fundraising

The Scottish Police Benevolent Fund is pleased to announce that the 2021 Annual General Meeting will take place on Monday 16th August 2021. At this time it is planned that the meeting will take place at The Police Treatment Centre, Castlebrae, Auchterarder. This meeting is scheduled to commence at 10 a.m. All members are invited to attend.

Please note that due to the current COVID 19 outbreak and lockdown restrictions in place, the decision to hold this meeting in person has now been confirmed, but will be conducted under current guidance of social distancing where at all possible to minimise risk to all concerned. Anybody looking to attend the AGM in person as an observer is asked to contact the charity at least 48 hours prior to the AGM being held, to allow us to consider whether this can be accommodated and to provide anyone requesting to attend with a questionnaire which will require to be completed prior to attending. Thank you.

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