The Lighthouse Club Hong Kong Benevolent Fund
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)
Thank you!