Press release
Benefact Group’s owner, Benefact Trust, provides vital funding for charities in Ukraine
The charitable owner of Benefact Group has released the next tranche of its £1million funding package to support charities providing relief work in war-torn Ukraine.
Benefact Trust is distributing £250,000 to three charities on the ground, providing vital support for those affected by the devastating conflict.
It brings the total so far distributed to £500,000 after the Trust announced a £1million emergency funding package in March. Further funding will be released over the coming months.
The grants are possible because of the Trust’s charitable ownership of the Benefact Group, a unique family of financial services businesses, including Ecclesiastical Insurance and EdenTree, which gives all its available profits to charities and good causes.
By awarding £250,000 in grants to charity partners who are operating right now in Ukraine and other Eastern European countries, the Trust is responding to the urgent needs of individuals, families and children.
In March 2022, Benefact Trust awarded funding to Depaul International, World Vision, Tearfund, All We Can, and British Red Cross. Grants enabled the charities to provide food, shelter, medical care, and essentials to those most in need. The Trust has awarded a further £250,000 total to:
• Depaul International – Benefact Trust funding has already enabled the charity to buy urgently needed food and hygiene kits for thousands of people. An additional £100,000 will allow the charity to reach more communities, and more people in desperate need.
• British Red Cross – So far, British Red Cross has assisted more than 2.1 million people impacted by the crisis in Ukraine, with the support of Benefact Trust and other donations. A further £100,000 from the Trust will help the charity to provide high quality healthcare, clean water, shelter, cash support, and long-term interventions for many more people.
• The Salvation Army – The Salvation Army is addressing the immediate need in Ukraine and the surrounding countries, providing both emotional and pastoral care, as well as practical assistance such as food, water, medication, shelter, translation services, and transport to other countries. The charity’s long-term involvement will include helping refugees to return to Ukraine when safe to do so and supporting asylum seekers to resettle elsewhere. £50,000 from Benefact Trust will support the emergency response teams who are working tirelessly to provide vital humanitarian aid and emotional support.
Benefact Trust has now supported six charities working in Eastern Europe, each specialising in different areas of disaster response and all experts in humanitarian aid. British Red Cross, World Vision and Tearfund are among the 15 members of The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).
The DEC estimates 18 million people will be affected by the escalating conflict. Over a quarter of the population have already fled their homes since the conflict began – leading to a huge humanitarian crisis.
Benefact Trust has a further £500,000 allocated in support of Ukraine. To keep up to date with the grants awarded, visit https://benefacttrust.co.uk/news/.
Mark Hews, Group Chief Executive at Benefact Group, said: “With no end in sight for this devastating conflict, the people of Ukraine are in need of urgent help. This donation will provide a vital boost for these incredible charities doing outstanding work supporting people on the ground in Ukraine. As a business committed to the greater good of society, both in the UK and abroad, I’m delighted our charitable owner Benefact Trust is able to support these three charities.”
Alexandra Cairns, Trust Fundraising Manager for The Salvation Army, said: “The Salvation Army is truly grateful for the support of Benefact Trust towards our response to the Ukraine crisis. Their support helps us to continue providing vital humanitarian aid and emotional support on the ground in Ukraine and neighbouring countries, and continue addressing the risk of refugees being exploited through our global anti-trafficking networks.”
Lesley King-Lewis, Trust Director for Benefact Trust, said: “It has been overwhelming to hear the difference our grants have made to the charities – and the vulnerable people they’re supporting – over the last couple of months. But the work doesn’t stop there. As the devastation continues in Ukraine, and more people flee their homes, support from charities is becoming even more vital. That’s why we’ve just awarded additional funding towards the cause, and we’re already thinking about the most impactful way to distribute the remaining £500,000.”
Benefact Group, previously Ecclesiastical Insurance Group, is the fourth-largest corporate donor to charity in the UK1 and gives all its available profits to good causes. It has committed to triple matching any donations made by employees to recognised Ukrainian support charities up to £50,000.
Notes to editors
1. UK Guide to Company Giving 2021/2022
