Founded in 1843, the home improvement industry's own charity, Rainy Day Trust, celebrates its 173rd anniversary today, March 24.
The organisation was set up by Henry Lowman Taylor at a public meeting held at Bishopsgate Street in London, for the purpose of granting permanent pensions. It was then known as the Iron, Hardware & Metals Trades' Pension Society. The first pensioners were admitted in September 1846.
The charity was honoured in 1893 by the presence of the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) at London's Guildhall, where it was announced that Queen Victoria had commanded the organisation be designated as 'Royal': the name was subsequently changed to The Royal Metal Trades' Benevolent Society.
Over the years, the charity's values have not changed, even though its name has. Now known as the Rainy Day Trust, it exists to provide financial and other assistance to its core beneficiary group to improve their lives, treating them fairly and with respect.
"We're pleased to be able to offer modern support built on a foundation of traditional values," says CEO Bryan Clover. "So we now help people from the home improvement and home enhancement trades and have embarked on a programme of growth and the delivery of new services, including legal advice and telephone-based counselling. If readers know of anyone who may need our support, please ask them to contact us."
Rainy Day Trust is the only charity that exists solely to help people working or who have worked in DIY shops, hardware stores, builder's merchants, garden centres and cookshops, and with all who supply them.
The April 8 issue of DIY Week will feature an interview with Bryan Clover