October 2002 - Working with

In the pleasant surroundings of the Bourne Valley Inn and following an excellent meal, Jane O’Kelly regaled us with her experiences and information about Rukba. Rukba stands for The Royal United Kingdom Beneficent Association and although at the beginning of the evening most of us had not heard of the association, I am sure that by the end we were all most impressed about the work they do and will endeavour to spread the word.

Rukba is a charity founded in Victorian times, in 1863, to assist older people in financial difficulties to live independent lives with dignity and peace of mind. Assistance in the form of an annuity can be provided for those aged over 60 or for people aged over 40 who are permanently unable to work owing physical disability. There are generous limits to income and capital and annuitants can be living in their own or rented homes.

In addition to the annuity Rukba can also provide financial help in times of crisis, equipment such as power bath seats, wheelchairs and stair lifts, nursing and residential care and help with fees, clothing and household linen plus that most important friendship and support of volunteer visitors.

Jane’s role as Area Co-ordinator covers the region of Wessex, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Isle of Wight AND the Channel Islands. The main job functions are Pastoral care, Publicity, Public Relations and Fund Raising. The last item being one of increasing importance and taking up 70% of Jane’s time as Rukba needs £3,000,000 simply to maintain their current annuitants.

Recent fundraising events have met with varied success and have included outdoor productions of Shakespeare, a Mad Hatters Tea Party, a Bridge Bonanza and many more. Coming up is an event at Longleet, the home of the Marquis of Bath (and wifelets). Among the prizes is a signed pair of gardening gloves from Alan Titchmarsh. Does anyone out there have contacts with a famous person who might be willing to lend their name and support to Rukba in this never ending task of fund raising?

Jane’s area has 120 volunteers who visit clients but there is no one in Swindon or Southampton. Jane covers these areas herself but if you know of anyone who could assist, please do not hesitate to contact her.

The number of people aged over 60 that exceeds those aged under 16 and is 21% of the population. The valuable support and assistance that Rukba provides is one that will see it’s need increasing in the years to come and becoming increasingly difficult to fulfil with so much competition among charitable organisations. Now that we know more about this charity I urge you all to make a special effort to assist one of our number in her admirable vocation.