RNBT, the largest naval benevolence charity, held its annual conference at China Fleet Club in Saltash.  Attendees ranged from representatives of local naval ships and establishments to Plymouth Councillors and charity leaders.  

Helping those in need RNBT last year gave over £3m, to those in the naval community in need, 19% of payment were to those living in the West Country. This year applications for help are increasing by over 12%. The Trust’s message was that they needed everyone’s help in making sure that all those in need from the naval community knew who to turn to in hard times. They also told delegates about the new online portal – Lightning Reach – which allows people to ask for help securely on-line, leading to rapid assistance for those in the most urgent need. The conference heard from one particularly grateful couple from Tavistock who praised RNBT for their help: RNBT was ‘a real safety net, a real lifebuoy when we needed it.’  

Exciting news for veterans in Plymouth.

There was also exciting news for Plymouth veterans: RNBT is looking for a site to build a care home in the area. Having successfully built a new care home in Portsmouth last year, it is now Plymouth’s turn and the search for a suitable site has already started. 

Commodore Russell Best OBE, RNBT’s Chair of Trustees, explained: ‘We would very much like to be able to build a care home in the Plymouth area and I would love to be able to announce the start of a construction project – but these things take time.’ He added that the search for a site was already underway: ‘The site has to be right for us, with good transport links so that staff and residents’ families can get to it easily. We are leaving no stone unturned in seeking the right place to start. We have learned to be patient but I would like to enlist your help; if you know of great site of about 1 ¼ or 1 ½ acres in size do let us know!’  

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust to China Fleet Country Club today,” added Managing Director Dean Bennett.  “The RNBT do so much important work to support those in need from the naval community and it’s very exciting to hear about their latest plans in the local area.” 

Notes:-

Formed by Royal Charter in 1922, The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust is the major naval benevolence
charity that has been quietly and efficiently helping the most vulnerable and needy members of the
naval community for over 100 years. The brainchild of Admiral Lord Jellicoe, RNBT and its forerunner
the Grand Fleet Fund, was established to help serving and those who had served and their
dependants in times of need and distress. True to this vision, RNBT continues to help those people
today.
RNBT’s Vision:
‘Sailors, Marines and their families living happy, dignified lives.’
RNBT’s Mission:
‘Sailors and Marines helping Sailors and Marines – now and always.’