RMT ORPHAN FUND

RMTnews :: january 2006 :: www.rmt.org.uk 10 I t would be difficult to calculate how much money RMT south east regional organiser Jim Stevenson has raised for the union’s London orphan fund since he got involved with it over 40 years ago. Thousands of orphans have benefited from the work of Jim and his team both financially and through educational and social outings over the years. “We take 60 to 80 orphans for days out and visits every year to places like Eurodisney, the National Railway Museum in York to the wreck of the Mary Rose in Portsmouth,” says Jim. He says that there will be another trip to France thanks to Eurostar and the work of RMT European Passenger Services branch secretary Mick Lynch. The London orphan fund also made a generous donation of £7,500 to an orphanage in Sri Lanka following the devastating tsunami that hit the region a year ago. “One of the wards has been named after the RMT London orphan fund and we will be keeping in contact with them in future,” he says. The fund gets its most of its assets through fund-raising activities including the sale of ties, Christmas cards, wallets and badges. There are also raffles, draws and social events like the one coming up at the Hatfield Social Club on Friday March 24, 2006. Jim paid tribute to RMT general secretary Bob Crow, who is also president of the fund, for his supportive work for the orphans over the years. Jim says the orphan fund is a fine example of the ethos of trade unionism and solidarity which has developed over hundreds of years and that most human of traits of helping the weak and vulnerable. Long may it continue. PROTECTING AND PROMOTING OUR MEMBERS’ INTERESTS. Our personal injury lawyers won’t let bad employers get away with it. RMT fight back: The law says workers have a right to safe conditions – and RMT is here to defend that right. That’s why our Personal Injury Service is free – and even covers non-work related accidents for family members. So if you, or a member of your family, have suffered an illness or injury due to someone else’s fault, call us now. FOR FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE CALL THE HELPLINE 0800 587 7516 in England, Wales and Ireland 0800 328 1014 in Scotland RMT ORPHAN FUND– helping those in need