The Rainy Day Trust (RDT) is celebrating its 173rd anniversary today (24 March).
Founded in 1843 by Henry Lowman Taylor at a public meeting held at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate Street, for the purpose of granting permanent pensions, the Charity was then known as the Iron, Hardware & Metals Trades' Pension Society.
The Charity has a proud history of unbiased help, given to those in need. The first 'pensioners' were admitted in September 1846.
The Charity was honoured in 1893 by the presence of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) at London's Guildhall, where it was announced that Queen Victoria had commanded the charity be designated a 'Royal' charity – 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, the charity exists to provide financial and other assistance to its core beneficiary group to improve their lives, treating them fairly and with respect.
"We are pleased to be able to offer modern support built on a foundation of traditional values," says RDT chief executive officer, Bryan Clover. "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."
