Ravindran Family Appeal

In my last (Autumn) newsletter report I referred to the fact that we were in discussions with the Thames Community Foundation regarding the establishment of a facility to take advantage of ‘Gift Aid’.  I can confirm that this arrangement is now in place and an explanation of the tax benefits and a copy of the Gift Aid form are now available here to download .

Forms will also be available at Jeyes News Kiosk next to the station and at D. Parry Pharmacy in Arthur Road where you can also leave your cheques with forms for collection (to save you the bother of posting).  You will see that the Thames Community Foundation address is a freepost address.

Please make sure you sign the form.

As you know we have already raised a significant amount.  Unfortunately, it is not going to be sufficient to cater for the family’s special needs and circumstances.   The process of recovery from such a traumatic event is a slow one and our aim is to try and provide housing and ancilliary needs until such time as they are in a position to meet the world again on reasonably equal terms.

Our target is to raise another £10,000.  Certainly, with the benefit of Gift Aid, we can achieve this more easily.   A great many people have already been most generous.  We hope that  there are many others who will feel that this is a special cause worth supporting.

Best wishes for Christmas

Iain Simpson
Chairman

Previous posting on the appeal:
 

The Ravindran Family Appeal - The community response has exceeded all expectations.

As many of you will already be aware the community response to the appeal, following the fire at Partletons newsagents, has been simply tremendous.  The overall funds donated now amount to close to £21000.  Not all of this has been collected in the WPRA fund.  Some money has been given directly.  The total amount  credited to the WPRA fund so far is over £16000 and we are aware of more to come.   So a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed so far.   

We are continuing with the appeal and have almost concluded discussions with the Thames Community Foundation, a well established charity, who have very kindly offered to provide us with a facility whereby we can take advantage of the tax benefits associated with ‘Gift Aid’.  This will enable further donations to be tax efficient for the donors and increase the value of the donations to the fund.   Details of this arrangement will be available on the website in due course.  

Particular thanks are due to Paresh Modasia and his tremendous staff, Anne and Abdul, at the Pharmacy and to Bharat at Jays News who have all done and continue to do a wonderful job in coordinating the collection of funds and assisting in other valuable ways.

I can report that the family are doing as well as can be expected in the circumstances and that they are shortly going to be moving into their own accommodation nearby.  Until now they have been staying with relatives in Banstead and it has been difficult for them to deal with the travelling every day to deliver their daughter to Wimbledon Park School.  Moving into their own house,  will be another major step in bringing some normality to their lives.

As some of you will be aware, at the request of a number of residents, the Vicar of St Lukes, Simon Vibert, very kindly held a service of remembrance in July, following the fire.   This was greatly appreciated by both the Ravindran family, who bravely attended, and the local community. 

Thank you again to everyone.

Iain Simpson
Chairman