“To grant relief by way of pension or otherwise, either directly or indirectly, to deserving and necessitous members of the timber trade in the UK and to widows and children of such members”: it was with these rather old-fashioned words that the founding fathers of TTBS set up the charity in 1897. Since then the sort of help that we give has changed, but we continue to offer assistance to ex-members of our trade who through illness, accident and the ravages of age seek our assistance. Last year we disbursed more than £100,000 to our beneficiaries.
Like most charities, we receive no state aid. Indeed, the present government has gradually removed the tax relief that charities used to enjoy on investment income. As far as TTBS is concerned this will mean the loss of over £17,000 per year when the relief is finally phased out in April next year.
We need the continuing support of today’s timber trade to help us to maintain our regular benefits as well as individual grants for the replacement of domestic appliances and items for the disabled such as electric wheelchairs, stair lifts and bath hoists, that the beneficiaries cannot afford from their own meagre resources.
While it is gratifying that some large UK companies in the timber sector do support us, it is the small- to medium-sized (and especially the family controlled) timber businesses that are the largest proportion of our supporters, both in numbers and in the value of their support.
As Christmas approaches can I appeal to all members of the timber trade to please consider our beneficiaries by supporting the TTBS, ideally with a regular donation. A personal donation linked to a Gift Aid Declaration will allow us to claim an extra 28% from the taxman and so let us recoup at least some of the money the chancellor has taken away.
