The Essex County FA Benevolent Fund is a Registered Charity which aims to help players and officials who have suffered a football-related injury and, as a result, find themselves in financial hardship. Without donations, the Benevolent Fund simply wouldn’t exist.
“We want to try and get through to the players as well as the club secretaries," explains ECFA Board Member Eddie Rhymes, who is instrumental in the operation of the scheme. "Clubs are asked for donations when they receive their Affiliation Forms each year but that usually gets no further than the secretary. It’s no longer mandatory to have made a donation in order to put in a claim so, if the figures dwindle, it’s the players who are ultimately suffering.”
He continues: “Any injured amateur footballer can claim financial support but not enough people know about it so we are making every effort to raise its profile. There are thousands of pounds in the fund but we are currently paying out more than we are taking in through donations. We plan to encourage clubs to donate as you never know when one of your players might need this form of help, which won’t be available if the money dries-up. It would also be a boost to a League’s image if they were to forward funds, too.”
“Recently a donation was made from the Fund to the Essex Air Ambulance as, on at least three occasions, they were called-out to tend to injured players. Claims haven’t fluctuated a great deal since the compulsory donation rule was lifted, although more people are starting to notice the service is there. We’re envisaging further financial help will be needed to maintain a healthy balance to work from and it may take a few fresh ideas for revenue-raising to keep the Fund going.”
Last year many footballers received financial aid from the Fund, which continues to demonstrate its importance. For those players without insurance or savings, the Benevolent Fund is their only means of help. Further information on how the Fund operates can be obtained by calling Sarah Dyer on (01245) 393079 or by sending Sarah an E-Mail.
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