36
NAVY NEWS, OCTOBER 192
THE STORY of widow Mrs Row Thorpe and her 15-year-old on Liam Is an ex~ of how, in times of need, the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust Is there to help-not just once, but several times If necesnery
as her husbl had been a Royal Marines More aid was given last year and in corporal during the Second World War. Angast this year a grant of £75 was made Later she took a part-time job to to allow Limo to join the Scouts on an adventure cruise. The Trafalgar Day supplement her widow's pension, but even so she could not afford to buy clothes far Orphan Fund and committee were rethe rapldly-rowIng LIam. Again the warded by receipt of a postcard from L RNBT came to the resene with a grant who stated that the holiday was fun but from money give, by the Tralalgar y "hard work." For five years the RNBT has been Orphans Fund, specifically to assist be~ mother and child over the financial I. need. orpha Appreciation hurdles they have laced since Mr Thorpe Two years ago further help was given died of cancer in 1973. when Liarn's Se. Scout group arranged an the Trust has helped the Altogether Mrs Thorpe was able to get by until 1977 educational trip to Germany. It would Tilorpes with a total of £321, and Mrs Uam Thorpe .. a keen when a rcmuval problem auwed up. It have been impossible for him to join in had Thorpe, giving permission to publish her Sea Scout who hopes to was then that she contacted the Trust, not the Trust covered expenses and the cost story, wrote on August 27: the from which she was to receive aid of eligible ..'-'y clothing. "Having been a widow for nine years. I join Navy.
truly appreciate the fact that you have kept in touch with me since 1977, enquiring as to the welfare of my son Liam, financing his trip to Germany with the Sea Scouts in 1510 and thIs year on a 150-mile trip on the waterways of central England, plus giving the grants that made it poedble for me to buy sports kit for my son's school activities. "In both your correspondence to me and my reception at the local office, I have always been treated with respect and courtesy which, as a widowed mother, boosted my spirits just to know that someone cares."
Trust's aid puts Arthur at ease
ARTHUR KNIGHT'S naval nickname of "Old Rubber
Legs" became sadly appropriate when he was struck down by the paralysing disease multiple sclerosis. Arthur completed his pensionable engagement in the Royal Navy in 1965, leaving as a Chief Petty Officer Cook. He found a secure job with Hampshire County Council, but 13 years after he had left the Service his illness forced him
to give up his work. Because of his deteriorating condition he and his wife left their mobile home and were given a council flat at Denmead - and with it went all the problems and expense of refurnishing.
Stimulator
Meanwhile, Arthur was suffering much discomfort as a result of his condition and was plagued by a pins-and-needles sensation in the lower half of his body. While living in the Winchester area the local hospital had
loaned him a stimulator which had greatly reduced the pain, but the appliance was not available on the National Health and his consultant recommended that he bought one.
The snag was that his savings had been eaten up by the move and he could not afford the £111 for the machine, So, in July, he asked the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust for help. They turned a sympathetic ear to his plight and granted him the money to buy the stimulator. In a letter of thanks to the Trust Arthur said: "I have not had much contact
with the RNBT, as, during my service, one only vaguely heard of it unless you needed help, and it was not all that publicised . . . When I applied for help I was a bit apprehensive of things, but was surprised at the courtesy and tact I received from my visitor who came to assess what help I needed. "Although one always thinks of these methods of help as charity, and it's a natural instinct to shy away from asking, I found it was in no way like that and was left with the feeling that someone was prepared to help, and I can only say Thank You." Arthur's son, who is a serving chief petty officer, is a dab hand at cartoons and his contribution to Arthur's story appears on the right.
Multiple sclerosis sufferer Arthur Knight who has found that contact with the RNBT he. been a comforting .xpsrl.nc.. -.
-.'.
War funds in operation
TWO war funds are still being administered by the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust, which would like to hear of anyone who is in difficulty and who is eligible for aid from them. One fund is to help the families and dependants of Fleet Air Arm ratings killed through war service in the Second World War and to assist ratings disabled or invalided through war service. The other is the RNBT (1939) War Fund, intended to help widows and dependants of men killed on war service. Enquiries about the funds should be made to the Portsmo ith Office of the RNBT.
I told you not to put those pus~* Mt~ in it
Good start for
budget system
ONE YEAR after the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust introduced a cash budgetary system, the Trust reports that the scheme seems to have started well. The system enables the RNBTs executive committee to monitor the progress of receipts and payments at quarterly intervals and to AFTER II years as Administrator of Pembroke House, the compare them with the budRNBT's home for aged naval get forecast, enabling cormen, Lieut.-Cdr. Harry Bleasc rective action to be taken if (RN, retd.) is retiring from the necessary. post on November 5. He will be CONTROL sueded by Mr. Eric Lavender, a former Royal Marines Aim of the scheme is to sergeant. Harry joined the Navy maintain control over cash as a rating in 1940 and retired in flow so that sufficient money 1967. is always available to meet " Pembroke House has the Trust's commitment to received £300 from the Royal Naval Sick Berth Staff Members help ,Jhe naval community and to purchase investments Association, who handed over to provide income for welthe cheque to pay for double fare in the future. glming at the home.
Farewell to Harry
ANNUAL donations to the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust by the Variety Club of Great Britain have been increased five-fold as a result of the Falklands campaign. Since 1972 the Trust had been able to help many children through money received from the club, which for the past three years has totalled £5,000 per annum. However, this year variety artists are making donations totalling £25,000. The first instalment has already been received and the second was due to be received in early October. From the money the RNBT makes grants for clothing, educational holidays and other purposes which benefit the children of naval or ex-n~ personnel.