Press/Web Release
Windsor based charity; Airways Charitable Trust Limited has changed its name to The ACT Foundation.
Airways Charitable Trust Limited is a grant making charity, which was formed in 1994 and is registered with the Charity Commission (charity number 1068617). The roots of the charity are in the airline industry and it was initially established primarily to support people in need from the aviation industry.
Commenting on the name change, the Chairman of Trustees, Ted Gostling said, "Given that the roots of our charity can be traced back through to British Airways and its predecessors, a decision to change the name was not taken lightly. However over the years the number of beneficiaries from the aviation industry has reduced considerably and they now represent less than 1% of the grants we award every year. Trustees believe the old name had become misleading and did not reflect what we did, which is epitomised by our current mission statement, Act to improve the quality of life for those in need. Our new name will more clearly identify with this statement and help avoid confusion amongst potential beneficiaries, but importantly, without losing the link to our history."
Notes for Editors
1.The Foundation’s income is derived almost entirely from its property investment portfolio and this income is used to provide grants, offering financial support where there is an urgent need, to both individuals and other charities.
2.Grants generally fall into the following areas
- Building - funding modifications to homes, schools, hospices etc.
- Equipment - provision of specialised wheelchairs, other mobility aids and equipment including medical equipment to assist independent living.
- Medical Research - to help with the treatment of debilitating diseases and disabilities.
- Financial assistance for recreational and respite breaks
3.Trustees meet at least 4 times a year and will award grants of about £3m this year, and their aim is to provide similar amounts in each of the next 3 years.
4.Details of the Trustees and the application process can be found on the website www.theactfoundation.co.uk
5.Priorities over the next 3 years are to work in partnership with charities that support children with serious disabilities. Current grant partners include Treloar Trust, The Children’s Trust, White Lodge, John Grooms, Whizz Kidz, SPARKS and Wavemakers.
6.Over the last 3 years the Foundation worked in partnership with charities that supported the elderly, and provided £4m in funding for the Extra Care Nursing Home at Whiteley Village.
7.The property investments and grant applications are managed by a small in house team, based in Windsor and led by Chief Executive Denis Taylor who joined the charity from British Airways in 2001.
8.External support in the management of the commercial property investments is provided through Rogers Chapman, Chartered Surveyors with offices in the West End, Heathrow and Bracknell.
9.Investment income has grown from £1m in 2001 to nearly £4m for this year.
10.For further information please contact Denis Taylor, Chief Executive or Jim Kerr, Finance Director at The ACT Foundation, The Gatehouse, 2 Park Street, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 1LU. Telephone 01753 753900. Fax 01753 753901.
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