This is an important year for the Civil Service Benevolent Fund as it marks their 125th anniversary of supporting civil servants and their dependants through hardship. In the current climate there can be no better time to promote the Fund’s work and its reliance on the civil service community to help it make a difference to people who are struggling.
The Fund offers services including advice and information, details on convalescent or respite care, but by far the most common is the need for financial assistance. In the last two years alone, they provided £9 million to current and former civil servants and their families, and they are anxious to let every civil servant know that they are there for them, for life.
The Fund are celebrating this important landmark by launching their 125th Anniversary Appeal, supported by us at CSIS, which will run throughout the year with a target to raise £125,000. Various fundraising activities are being undertaken to boost income generation for the year including an Appeal Draw, with a first prize of £7,500 sponsored by CSIS.
Supporters are encouraged to help by participating in their organised activities including the annual ‘Fund Week’ campaign from October 10-14th, or planning their own events during the year and generating £125. A special pledge wall has been set up on their website so that you can register your pledge and let them know what you are planning. There are lots of fundraising ideas and tips on their website http://www.csbf.org.uk/125_year - we hope that everyone will get involved. You can do whatever you want – from a home baked cake sale in the workplace to a sponsored parachute jump for the more daring!
The Fund are also thanking their many supporters and volunteers this year. A new film recognising how they help is just released (click here to view on the Fund's website) and we hope more will join in helping the civil service community.
So please join in, do something rewarding, fun and creative for your Fund in 2011.
Further information is available from the Fundraising Initiatives Team Fundraisinginitiatives@csbf.org.uk
