Charity aims to raise £1m

The LTC raises thousands of pounds for

drinks-industry workers in need

The Licensed Trade Charity (LTC) is one of hundreds of charities that provide support and financial assistance to people from a specific trade.

The LTC is here to assist those who are working in the licensed-drinks sector or those who have retired from it and you don't have to be a member of the charity to receive its support.

Each year, the LTC provides thousands of pounds worth of support and financial assistance to those people who work, or formerly worked in this industry. LTC's 2007 fundraising target is £1m and it is counting on the support of everyone who works in the sector in order to reach this target.

It's not just the big things that the LTC helps with; the smaller things in life can make a huge difference to someone who is struggling. Can you imagine moving into accommodation that didn't have a cooker and not having the means to buy one? This is how your money can help.

Sheila Churchyard worked as a licensee

for more than 48 years. When Sheila was

forced to leave her pub, she had nowhere else

to go. Sheila contacted the Licensed Trade Charity and, as she was over 55 and had worked in the trade, she qualified for one of the charity's priority nomination rights with Anchor Housing.

As you can imagine, Sheila was relieved and extremely grateful that the LTC had found her somewhere to live and she settled into her home quickly.

Friends and family play an important role in people's lives, especially Sheila's. Her house was in a different location to those closest to her and she found herself missing her group of friends and felt isolated, particularly as she relied on public transport.

Sheila decided to approach the local authority who offered her accommodation nearer to her friends. The local authority flat had no cooker so Sheila got back in touch with the LTC to see if they could assist her in sourcing a cooker.

Each and every person that contacts the LTC is assessed individually and their situation is reviewed. Not only did the LTC grant £190 towards the total cost of Sheila's cooker, she was eligible for a regular £20 weekly allowance, a £75 Christmas Box and a £120 winter payment.

During the last quarter, the LTC made one-off grants totalling almost £4,000 to help people carry out vital repairs to their property.

These grants have been made for work

that is essential to ensure that beneficiaries' health and safety are maintained and have

included repairing dangerous chimneys, dealing with damp and replacing defective wiring.

The LTC was approached by Keith and Ivy Vaughan who were licensees for more than 30 years. Keith had to give up work following a stroke and is now wheelchair dependent. Ivy stopped working so that she could care for Keith.

The Vaughans' local authority awarded a Disabled Facilities Grant to provide wheelchair access and a stair lift so that Keith's access was improved around the home.

However, the couple's house had bay windows which were ill fitting and made their house cold and draughty, making life very uncomfortable for Keith.

The local authority was unable to help in this instance so the LTC awarded £500 towards the cost of replacement windows in the living room and the bedroom, which helped make life more bearable for Keith.

People in situations similar to Sheila's and the Vaughans' contact the LTC on a regular basis asking for help. The LTC needs support from the industry so that it can support those who need help.

If you would like more information on the work of the LTC or know of someone who could benefit from our assistance, please phone Kath Gill in the Welfare Department on 01344 884 440.

To obtain further information on other charities that support specific trades visit www.joblinks.org.uk