Press Report 

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On the 30th November 1934 the Board of Trustees met for the first time at The Royal Station hotel, Hull and signed the Deed of Trust which marked the start of The Joseph Rank Benevolent Fund.  The founder, Mr Joseph Rank (1854-1943) addressed the Trustees and explained the objectives of the Fund and how the money was to be distributed.  As well as supporting local charities, Mr Rank directed that his charity was to “be devoted to the payment of pensions to poor persons, who, from age, ill health, accident or infirmity, are unable to earn their living by their own exertions.”  He concluded his address he said: “I am making this foundation in the hope that it will be of great comfort to a number of people during a very long future.”  

We are delighted to be celebrating our 90th Anniversary  - 1934-2024

During 2023 £139,890 was paid out to 465 local people in Hull and the Trustees also awarded an extra gift of £125 per person to provide them with additional assistance to cope with the sudden and large rise in the cost of living. 

An additional sum of £6,000 was donated to eight Hull charities.  These included Kids Yorkshire & Humber, Catzero, Hessle Road Network, Teenage Cancer, Hull Women’s Aid, Hull & East Riding Breast Friends, Jubilee Church and Hull 4 Heroes. 

At the Annual General Meeting, Mrs. June Clunie was re-elected Chairman.

The Fund was founded in 1934 by Mr Joseph Rank and has made allowances totalling £4,366,280  to 8,202 pensioners in the Hull area and in addition, has awarded £186,585 to Local Charities since its inception.

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The total money paid out of the Fund since 1934 is now:- £4,552,865

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Current Trustees 

Mrs. J. Clunie (Chairman)
Mr. J.R. Newton (Vice Chairman)
Mr M. Lucas
Mrs. J. Waite 
Miss. D. North

Mr. P. Matson

Ms. G. Martin

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Press cutting is courtesy of Hull Daily Mail