Hi Peter,
Yes, I was RAF, but have been trying SSAFA. No reply to Emails, nor letters with a stamp. Barbara eventually got through, using a number provided by a social worker.
They asked what she needed. She told them. They said it was too much. End of conversation, no offer of help with just some of what she needed. I'm wondering if I should complain that I find their TV advertising offensive/misleading.
With many charities, a written reply usually opens with DO YOU WISH TO DONATE? Sort of discouraging one from reading further.
I made my monthly VOLUNTARY donations to the RAF Benevolent Fund. Any request to cease donating would have you marched into the CO's office, within a matter of minutes.
Soon after joining up, I discovered the Station Library, spent many an hour browsing their reference books.
I read a feature by the RAF Benevolent Fund, extolling their generosity in giving a retired Squadron Leader, £3,000 (in late 1950s) to start a business. When that business failed, they gave him another £3,000. They also mentioned, briefly, LENDING £100 to a blind WW2 "AC Plonk" ... to bury his wife.
However, the RAF BF did pay my fees, when I enrolled at the local Tech College, to study for my ONC Mech Eng, which the Civil Service accepted as "above A-level" when I applied for promotion at DVLC. Going back to school in my late-20s, was not a comfortable experience.
The RAF BF representative was an ex-Halton Apprentice. He managed to confirm what I thought was my mate's BS ... Two RAF Apprentices a on a forbidden motor cycle, riding down the barrack block's first floor corridor, up a plank, through the window ... but not quite managing to enter the window of the next barrack block ... which HAD already been achieved when ridden solo. The Snowdrops (coz of the white hats) arrived to find one bloke groaning (broken arm). By that time, the bike had been buried.
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There is also the Civil Service Benevolent Fund. I subscribed, but Barbara didn't. I always felt that they were more interested in their own pet charities, sending funds to encourage breast feeding in the Andes. I'm joking ... I think. I will keep the CSBF on the back burner.
Actually, it's not money that is the problem ... it's where to get advice, from somebody who isn't scared that we have our eyes on their kitty. For instance, Barbara is concerned about getting her second "Plague" injection. It was difficult enough to get a home visit from the district nurse, for her first jab. The surgery phone seems constantly engaged, and emailing them is too complicated for my little brain.
Our GP, in the Swansea Valley, was ex-Navy (frequent references to the brown stuff hitting the fan). If he got an inkling that you were under the weather,. HE would be knocking on the front door.
One of her recent visitors is arranging for Barbara to have her second jab at home. Barbara has expressed amazement at everybody's desire to help.
On the other hand, I wrote to keep the Local Authority's Occupational Therapist in the loop. She replied, ust to remind me that we were not entitled to a Disabled Facilities Grant (No mention that grants under £6,000 are not means tested ... and you can keep going back for more).
I have just written to the Disabled Law Society, to ask if that rule entitles us to a £6,000 contribution towards our £15,000 bathroom extension.
I have also written to our un-accesible MP, asking if it is correct that we cannot off-set our liabilities against our assetts, when applying for a Disabled Facilities Grant.
We are touched by everybody's concern. Thankyou all.
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