SGF Benevolent Fund

Founded in 1924 with the gift of £5,000 from Sir Alexander Grant, the Fund grants practical aid to past members and employees of the grocery trade in time of need.

Grants

According to the rules of the Trust Deed, only income from investments and donations can be distributed subject to approval of the Trustees. Around £14,000 is distributed annually.

Each beneficiary has an almoner appointed by the Fund, so that their welfare can be regularly monitored and any special needs met.

Assistance

If you would like to apply for assistance from the fund please complete the attached application form or contact SGF, 222 Queensferry Road, Edinburgh, EH4 2BN.

SGF Benevolent Fund Application Form

SGF also works alongside Caravan, the national charity for people in the grocery, provisions, greengrocers and off-licence industries throughout the UK. They assist around 2,000 individuals; from warehousemen and delivery drivers to sales representatives and checkout operators who, for a variety of different reasons, have fallen on harder times and are struggling to cope.

The majority of their beneficiaries, like the SGF beneficiaries, are ex-grocery industry workers living only on the state pension, which, after day-to-day living expenses are deducted, leaves them with only a few pounds in their pockets. They can also help out with replacing household equipment such as washing machines, cookers, etc, can perhaps contribute to special mobility equipment and can offer emergency grants towards the cost of walk-in showers, boilers, roof repairs etc.

If you would like further information on the services CARAVAN offer, or would like to make a claim and feel you do not qualify for the assistance offered by the SGF Benevolent Fund, please contact them on 01252 875925 or visit their website: www.caravan-charity.org.uk.

CARAVAN’S ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Each case is assessed on its individual merits, but to qualify for Caravan’s assistance, prospective beneficiaries must be able to demonstrate the following:

• A minimum of 10 years service within any part of the industry.
• A degree of financial hardship and that they have no more than £12,000 in savings or capital (not including property).Beneficiaries can have been either full or part-time workers.
• Widowed spouses or long term partners of beneficiaries who have had benefits transferred to them