Introduction

Thanks Chairman, fellow Old Blues, Guests. Thank you Noel for that introduction!

Over the last year or two, I have exchanged communications with a lot of Old Blues around the globe. This included Joy Holmes who, from time to time, passed me information about the happenings of the Caledonian Old Blues to allow me to add them to the Old Blues website. When she emailed me to ask me to speak at this luncheon today, I was both flattered and concerned. I was flattered, as I understand that Caledonian Old Blues received two eminent Old Blues last year - Susan Mitchell, the Treasurer, in connection with the Appeal and Dennis Silk, the past Warden of Radley and past Chairman of the MCC, and I am privileged to follow in their footsteps. Concerned because I wanted to ensure that what I spoke about was relevant to you all. My focus therefore today is Old Blues.

I would like to thank you for the invitation and for giving me the opportunity of speaking about two, unrelated subjects, but both of which I am involved with and both of which try to serve the Old Blue community.

When I asked Joy for my instructions, I was told to talk for about 15 minutes on matters relating to the Foundation as a precursor to the Housie toast. She added that she thought that she had mentioned I was the Chairman of the Benevolent Society of Blues in the invitation and so it might be a good idea if I mentioned that organisation somewhere in my speech! This I will come to, but first, I would like to talk about the Old Blues website on the Internet.

Can I ask how many of you have access to the Internet? (Please raise your hands.) ..... and how many of you have looked at the Old Blues website, commonly known as oldblues.com?

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The Benevolent Society of Blues

As was said in my introduction, I am Chairman of the Benevolent Society of Blues (which we normally abbreviate to the BSB). Susan Mitchell, the Treasurer, is the President. We have a "Board" of voluntary Old Blue Directors and one full time employee who is based in Horsham.

Amongst you this afternoon, there may be those who do not know the BSB very well but there are also BSB members who I hope will treat this as an "Annual Report".

If We Look at What Have We Encountered in the Last 12 Months?

Burglary! Drugs! Abuse! Debt! Depression! Poverty! Illness! - these are all real cases and have all been encountered by the BSB in the last year. On the credit side of the "Account Book", we have also seen degrees achieved, grateful widows, presentees going to CH and the repayment of loans made!

Let me cover a little of the background to the BSB, What do we do now? and how, perhaps, you can help us.

Background

The BSB was founded in 1824 by the Amicable Society of Blues "to establish a fund for the relief of such Blues as may become reduced in life; and to grant assistance to the distressed Orphans of Blues." Membership is primarily Blues although we now have a membership category of "Friends of the BSB" to allow those such as parents or non-Old Blue donors to join.

Our mission statement is:

"to identify, help and support everyone who is eligible for benefit from the BSB."

In this context, Blues include:

• Anyone educated or being educated at Christ's Hospital
• Past members of staff of any department of Christ's Hospital or the CH Club or the BSB provided that, that member of staff has completed not less than 10 years service or such other time as the Board may determine.

The objects of the Society are to assist Blues, their parents, spouses, widows, widowers, children and dependents who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress.

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What do we do now?

• In our year to June 2001, our total charitable outgoings amounted to nearly £140,000 - up by nearly 16% on the previous year.
• The overall value of the Loans that we have made to Beneficiaries stands at £333,000.
• During the year ending June 2001, we had 67 applications for assistance, 77% of which were approved in whole or in part.

The reasons for the applications varied:

• 37% was for assistance with a first degree
• 33% was assistance with a Career enhancing course, a second degree for career purposes or an elective
• 22% was for assistance with debts
• 4% was assistance with a mid-life crisis
• 4% was for other reasons.
• We presently provide support to 14 pensioners
• We currently have 17 presentees at the school and have presented over 100 children since we were founded.
• Last year, we contributed over £7,600 to the Necessitous Children's Fund that helps with some of the ancillary costs (such as sports clothing or travel) of children attending the school.
• At a meeting three weeks ago, the Grants & Loans Committee considered 15 applications from children at CH for assistance from the Mike Pearey Fund (Michael, our late Clerk, was a BSB Director and his wife Thelma, at the time of his death, asked for donations to go to the BSB. In consultation with the Pearey family, this fund is used to help boys and girls at the school to do the things that Mike would have supported). In this instance, help is being given to members of the school Band on its trip to Pasadena, to the school 1st XV going to play rugby in Dublin at Christmas and to support a squash team tour to Spain.

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How can you help?

We have budgeted to increase our charitable outgoings by a further 15% this year and expect to achieve it... . However, we remain convinced that there are more Old Blues out there that need to be encouraged to apply for assistance. Whether they have not come forward because they do not know we exist or what we are here to do, whether it is pride or whether it is not knowing if they are eligible, we must get over these hurdles. One thing we do assure all applicants of is that their applications and circumstances will remain absolutely confidential.

We have been running an awareness campaign over the last three years now. We must judge this to be successful measured by our increased expenditure. But we believe we can do more. We still need your help to reach other parts of the Old Blue community to ensure that those eligible, apply for help. If you know of anyone eligible and in need, then please do let us know.

The number of members we have has remained roughly static for the last few years... whilst the need appears to be increasing! The financial impact of this has been helped by the introduction of Gift Aid but it is also imperative that our members help act as our network, bringing the BSB to the attention of those eligible and in need. If you are not a member (and I know a good number of you already are), please consider joining us now!

The final area of help is in terms of assisting in the operation of the Society. We are trying to ensure our Directors are drawn from many walks of life with all the experiences that they can bring. This helps us to deal effectively with the applications we receive and working with beneficiaries. We also have to deal with the burden of increased compliance with legislation that applies as much to the BSB as it does to larger charities.

Let me add a local note here. The BSB do assist people throughout the UK and our Directors have certainly met with several applicants in Scotland over the last few months... so please do not think we are "South East Centric".

... and so, if you wish to help fellow Old Blues and want to add value to our community, please consider being a Director or Committee Member of the BSB now or at some time in the future. I am also pleased to say that a number of BSB beneficiaries have gone on to become Directors!

If You Want To Know More

Now, enough of the commercials! If you would like to know more about the BSB, I brought a few brochures with me and would be happy to take any questions. I can even say, please consult oldblues.com [please see the BSB website]!!

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