In the UK - the home of the Lighthouse Club - the Benevolent Fund has been in existence for more than 40 years. From the time of its establishment, the principal objective of the Lighthouse Club was, then as it is now, to provide fellowship and support for its members throughout the construction industry. The second, but equally important, objective was the formation of a “charity” to assist those within the industry, or their dependants, who were suffering as a result of construction-related accidents. In 1962, the UK Benevolent Fund was born. Starting from a very small beginning, the UK Benevolent Fund is now a major operation, with grants in aid totalling up to GBP500,000.00 being made each year to between two and three hundred families.

The establishment of a Benevolent Fund was a priority when the Hong Kong Branch came into existence in 1986 and the Trust itself was formally registered shortly afterwards.

The Lighthouse Club Hong Kong Benevolent Fund operates in a similar manner to that in the UK; that is the provision of financial “first aid” to needy cases.

The Benevolent Fund in Hong Kong is managed by five Trustees, and administered by a Committee drawn from members of the Executive Committee. Its attention is drawn to needy cases in a number of ways - by direct application, by application by friends, colleagues or family, or by the employer company itself. The Committee considers each case carefully, but speedily, so that assistance may be provided as quickly as possible.

Assistance is provided in two ways; either by way of a sump sum payment (up to HK$40,000.00) or by way of a monthly pension. The amount of the pension is currently HK$3,500.00, with an additional allowance for every school age child. Every Chinese New Year, each child receives a laissee packet from the Lighthouse Club.

The Hong Kong Benevolent Fund currently pays out approximately HK$1 million per year in aid. Many, many families have been glad of our help over the years, as they struggle not only with the shock of their recent tragedy, but also with the basic daily tasks of putting food on the family table and providing their children with an education.

The typical response from so many of these families and individuals who have received assistance from the Lighthouse Club is:

“Without the help of the Lighthouse Club I just don’t know what I would have done, or how I would have managed. Thank you.”

The Hong Kong Benevolent Fund is at present supporting 23 families with a monthly pension, with two new cases being added in June 2003.

The Lighthouse Club Hong Kong Benevolent Fund is funded entirely by way of donations and by fund-raising activities. Proceeds from all Lighthouse Club organised functions are donated directly to the Fund, which in itself bears no administration costs.

Every donation to the Benevolent Fund is gratefully received and is passed directly on in aid.

Your support of the Lighthouse Club and your donation to the Hong Kong Benevolent Fund would be very welcome, and should be sent to:-

The Lighthouse Club Hong Kong Benevolent Fund
c/o Battersby Kingsfield Ltd
407-408, 4/F World Commerce Centre
Harbour City
Canton Road
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

If you know of an individual, or a family, who would benefit from the assistance of the Benevolent Fund, please contact any member of the Benevolent Committee

Philco N K Wong (Chairman) (2516 8915)
Barry Adcock (2674 6899)
Cordia Yu (2687 2267)
Alan Liu (2835 0760)