First Trustees meeting for 2021

Our Trustees and Operations Committee attended the first virtual meeting of 2021 yesterday, (Thursday 21 January). The meeting was well attended with discussions around membership benefits, new joiners, grant applications, our holiday home ballot and how our charity is performing.

We are delighted to welcome serving officer, Winston Christie who will be joining our operations committee. Winston is an active member of BAPA and we are very pleased he has agreed to offer his time to support our charity work. We are also welcoming Federation Rep, Cliff Tomkinson to join our Ops Committee too. Cliff has a wealth of experience supporting police colleagues in his federation role and his knowledge around welfare issues will richly enhance our charity work.

Sadly, we will be saying goodbye to our Company Secretary and Finance Manager, Jan Burchell, who will be leaving us in late Spring. Jan has worked diligently for the Fund for almost seven years and in that time has ensured the Benevolent Fund’s smooth transition from a limited company to a registered charity. We are extremely grateful for everything Jan has done for the Ben Fund and we wish her health and happiness in her future retirement. We are currently recruiting her replacement and Jan has kindly agreed to stay on until May in order to assist with the training of the successful applicant, enabling a smooth transition.

We are also saying farewell to PC Giles Dean, from the Police Federation. Giles has been a great asset to our Operations Committee and supported our work by delivering the occasional presentation to officers who have transferred from other police forces. We are extremely grateful for his contribution over the past 12 months and wish him a very happy retirement.

“We’re incredibly fortunate to have a really dedicated team of volunteers (Ops Committee members and Trustees) as well as a small team of paid staff, here at the Benevolent Fund”, explains Chairman, John Williams.

“As we say goodbye to two of them, I would like to offer my own personal thanks to both Jan and Giles for their valuable contribution the Ben Fund over the years.

“Jan, our charity’s finances have been in your safe hands for a number of years, thank you for all your hard work, you will be greatly missed and we wish you a very happy retirement with husband, Roy.

“Giles, you’ve had an impressive policing career, spanning almost 30 years and we are very grateful for your involvement with the Fund. Thank you for your contribution and support over the last 18 months. Wishing you all the very best in your retirement.”

Despite the National Lockdown and the Ben Fund office being closed to visitors, we have kept up with monthly Ops Committee and Trustees’ meetings, that swiftly moved to virtual events early last year. Our charity has continued to support its members with grants, sickness vouchers and additional membership benefits. Dates for future meetings can be found on our website https://wmpben.co.uk/about-the-benevolent-fund/how-we-work/

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news and details about membership benefits and services on our website www.wmpben.co.uk