The Benevolent Fund of the ICE (BFICE) is in urgent need of volunteers to help provide its vital services.
The Fund needs people in this region to visit those seeking first time help or already receiving assistance. Training is provided and expenses covered. The workload is very light, with perhaps a couple of people to contact a year, and the occasional visit required. Visitors are urgently required in the following areas:
Suffolk (Bury St Edmunds - Thetford – Diss – Lowestoft – Aldeburgh)
Norfolk (Norwich - Kings Lynn)
Essex (Southend – Basildon - Thames estuary)
If you are interested in volunteering or want to find out more please contact Lindsay Howell at the Institution of Civil Engineers Benevolent Fund - lindsay.howell@ice.org.uk or 01444 417979.
The fund is also asking every member of ICE to commit to supporting their own charity by giving a regular annual donation of at least £5, which equates to just £200 over a forty year working life. It is easier than ever to donate, either by making the payment with your ICE subscription or by visiting www.bfice.org.uk, where you can either set up a standing order or click on the “donate now” button to make a donation through Just Giving. A standing order is the most cost effective way for the Fund, but donating through Just Giving is still cheaper for the Fund than donating by credit card or cheque.
BFICE exists to provide advice, support and financial assistance to current and past ICE members and their dependants. Services available include:
■ Financial help for those unable to make ends meet and on low incomes
■ 24 hour free helpline covering a range of subjects such as stress, bereavement, debt, accident, illness and health problems
■ The opportunity to benefit from a free financial health check from an appropriately qualified individual if you are struggling to meet financial commitments
■ Access to the Fund’s back to work programme – a free course designed to assist those out of work increase their marketability and improve job prospects
■ Help for disadvantaged ICE students who may be unable to complete their studies because of financial difficulties
All these services are paid for by the donations made by civil engineers like you. Remember the fund is here to support engineers just like you. No-one is immune to misfortune.