Maj-General Sir A H M Edwards
Founder and First President of Old Comrades Association and UK Branch
Benevolence – the prime object of the The Old Comrades Association founded in 1913 the brainchild of the then Commissioner – Maj-General Edwards, and its successor the BSAP Regimental Association founded in 1926.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR TRUST ASSISTANCE?
Members and dependants of the United Kingdom Branch of the BSAP Regimental Association who are normally resident in the United Kingdom.
2. HOW IS ASSISTANCE PROVIDED?
Assistance is normally in the form of a cash grant that does not have to be repaid but assistance may be provided for debt reduction, bereavement advice and other matters that may concern members.
3. HOW ARE APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE MADE?
The Almoner should initially be contacted at: [email protected], or phone: 01743 360827, or complete the contact form below. All applications are treated in confidence.
4. CAN I APPLY ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER MEMBER I FEEL MAY BE IN NEED?
Yes, we welcome such notifications. Please use the form below or telephone the Almoner. Strict confidence is maintained and your identity will not be revealed to the member you feel is in need.
5. HOW CAN I SUPPORT THE TRUST?
The Trust relies mainly on donations to maintain its activities so you can support the Trust by making a donation made through the payment portal below or by cheque payable to BSAP Trust and send to Tony Granger at: 11 Melbourne Rise, Bicton Heath, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY3 5DA
If you are an eligible UK taxpayer, i.e. have paid at least as much income or capital gains tax in the relevant financial year equivalent to your donation please download , complete the gift aid form and send to Tony Granger. This enables the Trust to reclaim the tax from HMRC.
Members are also asked to consider leaving a bequest to the Trust in their will. The Almoner can advise.
6. AM I CLAIMING ALL MY SOCIAL BENEFIT ENTITLEMENTS?
It is estimated that every year nearly £3.5 billion of Pension Credit and Housing Benefit goes unclaimed by those older people who are entitled to it. Before they can provide a grant the Trustees are under an obligation to ascertain from the applicant that he or she is claiming all the benefits they are entitled to
Probably the best way to find out which benefits a member is entitled to is to visit the Age Concern website at:
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/.
The Almoner and Trustees can assist further if required
ABOUT
As was said at the time of the formation of the Old Comrades Association talking of the advantages of an Association:
“Above all the subscriptions, which even if limited to 6d a month per member, would form the nucleus of a Benevolent Fund, which is much needed, by means of which help can be given in deserving cases.”
and so it continued.
The BSAP came to an end in 1980 but membership of the Regimental Association increased rapidly. The UK Branch committee realised that if the UK Branch was to continue to provide its expanding membership with the objects for which had been established, particularly benevolence, proper arrangements had to be made.
The committee also had the foresight to see the Zimbabwe Government would renege on its promise to continue to pay pensions which would result in considerable hardship to many of the Branch members.
Accordingly three members of the committee, the founders shown below, in 1987 drafted and executed a Deed of Trust setting up the BSAP Trust with the purpose:
“To provide assistance and support to members of the United Kingdom Branch of the British South Africa Police Regimental Association and their dependants who are distressed by sickness or poverty.”
the founders becoming the initial Trustees.
Founders of the BSAP Trust
Tim Weimer 4158
Mike Leach 5479
Fred Mason 5934
The deed has subsequently been amended by the following addition:
“That the provision of assistance and support will be to those members of the UK Branch and dependants who are normally resident in the United Kingdom”
Since its inception the Trust has disbursed many thousands of pounds to members ‘in distress’
The Trust is registered as a charity with the UK Charity Commission allowing it to reclaim ‘Gift Aid’ tax from HMRC in respect of eligible UK taxpayers and is subject to the supervision of the Charity Commissioners.
It is a separate entity with its own bank accounts and is independent from the UK Branch of the Association.
The UK Branch company’s articles of association provide that
the committee shall refer all cases of distress and hardship involving branch members, their spouses and families to the Trustees for appropriate consideration and action.
This is to ensure that strict confidentiality is maintained for all cases.
Financial assistance is usually provided by way of a grant that does not have to be repaid. Additional assistance is provided for debt reduction, bereavement advice and other matters that may concern members.
The initial point of contact for assistance is the UK Branch Almoner Service who on learning of a member who may be in need will initiate contact with that member and after consulting with the other Trustess will provide the appropriate assistance. The Almoner maintains contact with members who have been supported.
The Trust was initially funded by UK Branch members who ‘covenanted’ their annual subscriptions to the Trust but since the withdrawal of that provision it is now mainly reliant for income from donations and investment income.
DONATE
Direct Donations
For direct donations you can use the Donation Box below. Or alternatively use a direct bank transfer via the following details:
Bank: Santander
Name: BSAP Trust
Sort: 09-01-53
ACC: 23405487
CONTACT
Trustees: Alan Toms, Anthony Murphy, Tony Granger
The BSAP Trust is a United Kingdom Registered Charity 297183
Patron of the Trust: Field Marshal The Lord Walker of Aldringham GCB CMG CBE DL