A life-changing legacy formed off the coast of Scotland
The RNBT was first formed in waters off Orkney ahead of the Battle of Jutland. Commander-in-Chief, Admiral John Jellicoe set up a benevolent fund for sailors and their loved ones, shelling out £50 – around £4,000 today – to help sailors and their families rebuild their lives following what became the largest naval battle of World War One.
That £50 was the beginning of the Grand Fleet Fund which later became the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust in 1922. Now, more than 100 years on, that same fund is still helping those who have served – and those closest to them.
The attached article in the Scotsman Scottish National Newspaper details the key events that formed the RNBT and the positive impact that we have had as a charity on RN and RM serving personnel and their families over the past 100 years.
We have an estimated 200,000 serving sailors, veterans and family members in Scotland able to access financial help, with around £3m available each year to support RN and RM families nationwide.