MICK CASH JOINS RAILWAY BENEFIT FUND

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: april 2022 :: RMTnews 26 F ormer general secretary Mick Cash has been appointed to the Railway Benefit Fund’s (RBF) Board of Trustees. As a member of the Board, Mick will play a key role in developing the RBF’s work to ensure that it can best meet its charitable purpose of supporting railway staff and their families in need. RBF is a UK-based charity which solely supports railway people and their dependents through difficult times. Founded in 1858, the charity has been supporting the industry for over 160 years. RBF offer a range of services to current, former and retired railway workers, including financial grants, legal advice and signposting. The grants that RBF provide are there to support railway people and their families through tough times and can alleviate immediate financial hardship or fund support that will assist wider well-being. RBF is non-membership charity and all grants are non- repayable, meaning that railway employees do not have to give to the charity to use its services. The financial grants are designed to help with unexpected life events or change in circumstances, including: • Illness and health issues • Death and bereavement • Relationship breakdown • Domestic violence • Family issues • Unexpected expenditure • Debt and money worries • Changes to work patterns • Redundancy RBF also have a legal app in partnership with law express, which offers an hour free legal advice with a solicitor, and a partnership with Citizens Advice Manchester. In 2022, the charity launched an online Financial Health Assistant- this is a free service that offers users a report on their financial health and advice for improvement. In 2021, the charity supported over 800 people with their financial support, and over 3,000 used their online tools. RBF is solely funded by fundraising and donations and host regular events throughout the year such as auctions, golf days and steam experiences. Mick said: “I have known about the good work the Railway Benefit Fund has done and have myself referred people for help and assistance in the past. I welcome the opportunity to bring my knowledge and experience to ensuring that this charity can continue to support railway workers, both employed and retired, when they face difficult times." Claire Houghton, CEO of RBF, said: “We are delighted to welcome Mick to our Board of Trustees. He joins RBF at a crucial time, as we are seeing a real increase in demand for our services. His expertise will be a great help to the charity.” Find out more about RBF: www.railwaybenefitfund.org.uk Or contact: info@railwaybenefitfund.org.uk MICK CASH JOINS RAILWAY BENEFIT FUND CHARITY WORK: Mick Cash with RMT general secretary Mick Lynch and Kevin Carey who retired from the union as head of the industrial relations department last year. Kevin served the union for over 50 years at various levels.