Our Almoner, John Poore, gave the following report on the charitable donations made to different organisations during 2022-2023:
“Firstly, a massive thanks to those of our Liverymen and Freemen who actually donate so generously to our Charity account, enabling us to support nearly 80 Charities, all of our Affiliates as well as giving Awards to the industry and worthy winners from our affiliates during our City & Awards’ Luncheon. We receive some wonderful thank you letters for our donations and we could not do it without all of those from our Company that donate.”
The charities we made donations to in 2022-23 were:
Like many Livery Companies, the Worshipful Company of Builders’ Merchants is closely affiliated with the Armed Forces, and with a number of military groups in particular. The groups below are regularly invited to join us at Livery events throughout the year, and we are also fortunate to enjoy regular visits to their premises.
We also support our affiliates financially, with donations to their organisations, and with prizes given to individual Cadets and Soldiers, for example.
The 3rd Battalion of The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (3PWRR) is an Army Reserve Battalion based across the south east of England, with locations in Kent, Surrey and Sussex. 3PWRR has a proud history of achievements including recent operational experience in Afghanistan and Iraq in support of the regular Army, as well as an Cyprus supporting a United Nations mission. You can learn more at https://3pwrr.com
HMS Forth is the first of five Offshore Patrol Vessels on active duty within the Royal Navy. Her remit is to protect our nation’s interests at sea, whether that means safeguarding fishing stocks in UK waters, or offering reassurance and protection in the Falklands. HMS Forth made her first journey in 2016 before heading out to sea for the first time in 2017. You can learn more at https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/organisation/units-and-squadrons/river-class/hms-forth
The Beckenham and Penge Sea Cadets works within its local community in south east London to give young people access to incredible opportunities and skills that will stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives. Cadets work together in a safe and enjoyable environment to learn teamwork, respect, self-confidence, self-discipline and commitment. They are able to gain qualifications and experience activities and adventures such as sailing, windsurfing and powerboating, and much more. You can learn more at https://www.sea-cadets.org/beckenhampenge
The Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (RAFBBMF) operates from RAF Coningsby, a Typhoon base in Lincolnshire. Its mission is to maintain the priceless artefacts of our national military heritage in airworthy condition, as well as to commemorate those who have fought and fallen in service of our country.
The Flight operates six Spitfires, two Hurricanes, a Lancaster, a C47 Dakota, and two Chipmunk aircraft (primarily for training). These aircraft are flown to celebrate and commemorate public and military events from State occasions such as Trooping the Colour to major airshows and flypasts for public events. You can learn more at https://www.raf.mod.uk/display-teams/battle-of-britain-memorial-flight/