Charity Officer
Brother Gerry Daly writes of his work as Charity Officer and The Wider Circle contributions.
The Catenian Association is primarily a social organisation that has over many years, used our social events and meetings, not only to develop stronger social bonds for our members and their families, but also to provide funds for many charities, both national and local.
The Association has its own two long established charities, The Benevolent Fund, and the Bursary Fund. These charities are separate from the ‘President’s Charity’.
The Benevolent Fund exists to help Brothers or their families in times of family crisis. It is the practical embodiment of the promise to help Brothers in need, which all brothers make when they join. Each Circle has a Benevolent Board that considers cases of hardship as they arise and makes recommendations for assistance from the nationally held fund as appropriate. All the details can be found on the website The Catenian Benevolent Fund.
The Bursary Fund exists to fund Catholics, typically in gap years, undertaking projects to support needy folk in various parts of the world.
Young people are encouraged to apply for assistance, often via the parish noticeboard, and presentations of grants are increasingly made at Sunday Mass in their own parishes. Applicants apply for a grant on line and all the details can be found on the national Catenian website The Catenian Bursary Fund.
As with all charities fund raising is a vital and as the pressure of inflation and cost of living crisis takes it toll on individual members, it also applies the same pressure to the our charities. Brothers are encouraged to support Benevolent Fund and the Bursary Fund and if possible, with gift aid contributions, as this enables the charities to claim an extra 25% on top of the donation made by the brother.
The Presidents Charity is the charity that the President chooses to support during his time in office. The funds raised throughout the year the proceeds from a fixed number of raffles and notably from the Ladies Night which is the Circle’s premier social event, will be presented to the chosen charity at the end of the Presidents time in
office. The Presidents charity allows the circle to support smaller, local charities that can often be overlooked. Over the last few years the Presidents Charity has supported a wide range of charities including, Apostleship of the Sea, The Jumbulance/Across, Wheelchairs to Africa, St Helens Lansbury Bridge School and Sports College, for Children/Young adults with complex needs, McMillan Nurses, State of Mind, Bursary Fund, Priest Training Fund, SPUC, Willowbrook Hospice and many others.
In addition to all that stated above the circle through various events and individual contributions, cash or practical help, support many local charities and Organisations. So while our focus is on being a social
organisation, we can take great satisfaction, in using our activities to support worthy causes while
enjoying ourselves!
Gerry Daly
Charity Officer
St. Helens 21
In the image, Premiership referee Chris Foy accepts a cheque for £1300 on behalf of St Helens Home Start from then Brother President John Williams.
