ABOUT THE IRISH MOTORSPORT BENEVOLENT FUND

The Irish Motorsport Benevolent Fund is a registered charity (No. CHY 11906). It was set up in 1997.

The sole object of the fund is to provide relief from hardship for Motorsport Ireland Competition Licence Holders and their families where the hardship has arisen as a result of an injury suffered by the licence holder while competing in motorsport events held under the rules of the FIA, Motorsport or other ASN.

The Fund is managed by five Trustees who are appointed by the Motorsport Ireland Commission each year.

The Fund’s help is limited to financial assistance.

The Fund is not able to offer counselling or advice.

By the end of 2008, the Fund had distributed nearly €160,000 to a total of 12 beneficiaries.
IN WHAT SORT OF SITUATIONS DOES THE FUND GIVE FINANCIAL HELP ?

Let's take the worst case first:

If the family breadwinner dies, as a result of an accident while competing, the Fund can, and has done, get an 'Emergency Grant' to the family within 48 hours. This will be a sum to tide the family over immediate money problems.
The Trustees can then give consideration to the settlement of outstanding bills, and help with funeral expenses. Then, if it looks as if the family is going to be in poverty because there are no wages coming in, the Fund can make a further award or awards.

Or if an accident means that there are no wages coming in, or individuals are living on very low incomes, that is a case where the Fund can make a 'One Off' grant to help meet the general day to day expenses - the purchase of essential household items or items required as a result of a disability, assist with mortgage repayments, school uniforms – that sort of thing.

HOW IS HELP SOUGHT ?

If you or your family are in need of financial assistance as a result of an accident while competing, or you know of someone in this situation, then contact one of the Trustees listed below:

Chairman:
Rev. Charles McCollum, St. Mary’s Rectory, Dunleckney, Bagnalstown, Co. Carlow.
00353 87 2885019

Secretary:
Mrs. Margaret O’Mahony, ‘Winnipeg’, Ballea Rd., Carrigaline, Co. Cork.
00353 87 6778487

Treasurer:
Mr. Barry Tobin
00353 86 2413900

Client Liaise:
Mr. Ed Colton
00353 86 2567199

PRO:
Mr. Robert Lyttle, Hazelwood, Sligo, Co. Sligo.
00353 87 4184993

WILL I HAVE TO REPAY ANY PART OF THE HELP THAT I RECEIVE ?

No.

There are 'no strings' to the financial help that the Irish Motorsport Benevolent Fund distributes.
'No Strings' means that the Irish Motorsport Benevolent Fund gives financial help.
Aid given by the charity is not a loan, it is not repayable.
Aid distributed by the Irish Motorsport Benevolent Fund is a gift from
people in the motorsport community.

However, sometimes recipients of help offer to raise money by way of fund raising or, in the event of a 'compensation claim' being settled, money could be donated by the recipients.
The choice, however, would be yours!