User:Gavin Lisburn/UDR Benevolent Fund
thumb|right|The Harp & Crown badge of the Ulster Defence Regiment
The Ulster Defence Regiment Benevolent Fund is a Northern Ireland charity (charitable organization) which distributes benefits to former UDR soldiers and families.[1] Between the period 1970 to 1992, UDR officers and soldiers donated the equivalent of 1/2 days pay per annum at the start and 2 days pay per annum in 1988/1989 to the fund.
The Fund was established as a Charitable Trust in 1972 and its aim was to provide grants paid out immediately to bereaved families and to help serving and ex-soldiers and their families in need, primarily but not solely as a result of their UDR service. The grants started out as £200 to the widow of every soldier killed by terrorist act and £25 to each of the children.[2]
The UDR Benevolent Fund is the first of its kind in the British Army. Existing only to provide assistance to former members of the Ulster Defence Regiment and/or their dependants. This charity is the only one which operates separately from the normal system of benefits for former soldiers and dependants e.g.: Army Benevolent Fund.[citation needed]
This particular fund is part of the UDR and Royal Irish Regiment "Aftercare"[3] service which is unique to the British Army. It is thought to be the model for future development of similar funds for regiments which have a high number of casualties in modern wars.[citation needed]
References[edit]
- ^ http://www.royalirishregiment.co.uk/UDR%20Ben%20Fund/udr_bfund.htm
- ^ Testimony to Courage - the Regimental History of the Ulster Defence Regiment 1969 - 1992, John Potter, Pen & Sword Books Ltd, 2001, ISBN 0850528194 - pages 395 to 396
- ^ http://www.aftercareservice.org/benevolence.htm