AMCARE UK

NATIONAL FEDERATION of RETIRED AMBULANCE ASSOCIATIONS

A very important decision was made at the AMCARE UK’s Annual General Meeting held on Sunday 22nd April 2007, to determine its future.

It was with a degree of sadness that prior to this AGM, the ASBF Trustees were invited to a exploratory meeting, held in March 2007, with some of their Trustees to discuss a possible merger of the two Charities. Following a very positive meeting their findings were presented to the AMCARE members to vote upon. Following their Annual General Meeting AMCARE President Mr Harry Goulding made the following statement to members:-

23rd April 2007.

Members have been aware that the Association has faced a number of hurdles during the past few years, and whilst some of those problems should never have arisen, there were others, we had no control over and had to deal with them as best we could.

An ongoing problem facing the organisation is the age of the members managing our affairs. An increase in years so often also means a decrease in mobility and energy levels, an important factor when considering the work and commitment involved, and all of which has been considerable, the efforts and resilience demonstrated throughout has been tremendous and is to be commended, but in football parlance ‘these players now need to be rested’. Any problem is the absence of members who are available to accept the responsibility of Office. The position of Treasurer being the most recent major concern, add to that the news given to the recent EGM that one of our major sources of income could be in jeopardy, information that called for some serious thinking and decision making by Executive members. It was agreed that every effort must be made to continue to ensure that those benefits which may be applied for and required by our former working colleagues, would still be available. Following numerous suggestions, some repeats from previous discussions, in the end the main suggestion was the one that we have to be realistic, if we are to make any progress. It was proposed that we further discussions with the Ambulance Services Benevolent Fund (ASBF) to explore the feasibility of a merger of the two organisations. A meeting in March proved favourable enough to allow the representatives who were elected to attend, to submit to the Trustees of AMCARE UK a report which listed the agreement reached between the representatives of both organisations.

In consequence of this, the Trustees made a recommendation to the Annual General Meeting, held on 22nd April 2007, that the Terms of the Agreement be accepted. The meeting voted in favour of a merger and a detailed report will be circulated to the membership.

On a personal note, my thoughts are rather mixed, my initial reaction being one of sadness at the closing of ‘our’ organisation but at the same time one of relief and satisfaction, that the continuation of the aims we have fought for, for so long is ensured by this decision, also that the title of AMCARE UK will be incorporated with the ASBF title which will ensure the continuation of the name. I do feel privileged to have been involved in the discussions, and one which enables me to feel a quiet confidence that this decision is the right one, that feeling comes from not only the combining of the available resources, but also that the management and control of all the affairs will be in the hands of people we believe are genuine and sincere in their quest to achieve those aims which mean so much to us. My fervent hope now is that the membership in general will continue to give their unstinting support to what I really believe will be a most worthwhile organisation serving the membership in the best possible way.

To conclude, I extend a sincere welcome to our colleagues from the ASBF and invite them to join with me in thanking each and everyone involved in AMCARE UK over the years, for the many hours of devoted dedication given so diligently, all of which has resulted in many successes.

With since thanks and best wishes to you all

Harry Goulding AASI
President, National Federation of Retired Ambulance Associations

In an ideal world the ASBF would have liked to have closed both Charities and started afresh but having taken legal advice the legal and practical problems involved made this an unrealistic option. The ASBF Trustees are very sensitive to the reasons for this merger and would wish to keep the AMCARE torch burning by incorporating its name on all new correspondence and promotional literature. Four AMCARE members, Harry Goulding, Trevor Shelbourne, John Allen and Frank Gill have since been invited and agreed to become Trustees. We know their experience and energy can only enhance the effectiveness of the welfare work amongst needy ambulance personnel and we warmly welcome them in our service together in serving others.

The Trustees of the ASBF would like to formally place on record their heartfelt and grateful thanks to all those involved within AMCARE for their dedication in helping so many retired ambulance colleagues in both sad and difficult times.

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