We are always willing to consider applications which will result in an improvement in the quality of life for an individual or group of disabled people. For examples of donations please view our previous donations pages which is divided into individual and organisation sections. Applications are welcomed from individuals, professional workers and representatives of organisations and institutions.

Supporting Statements

In the case of individual applicants, a letter of support from a professional is essential. This can be posted to our Freepost address.

Suitable people from whom to solicit support might include your family doctor, hospital consultant, social worker, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, teacher or a worker from a community or disability organisation that knows you.

The supporting statement is a very important part of the application process. It should be a comprehensive statement on the appropriate agency's headed notepaper describing the personal/family circumstances and your agency's involvement. It should outline why the application is being submitted and the benefits it will bring if successful. An explanation is needed of why help is not available through statutory means and why the individual/family cannot afford to pay for it themselves.

Other Information

We are unlikely to donate to large fund-raising charities.

We donate in those areas where our offices are located ie. in the Midlands and North West of England.

As a small local charity with limited funds we expect to donate up to £5,000 to individuals and up to £10,000 to organisations and institutions.

We do not award grants of cash but pay directly for items or services requested by successful applicants. Please ensure that the suppliers chosen are able to invoice us for payment.

The trustees require three quotes to be provided before requests can be considered, if this isn't possible then the reason must be given, e.g. there is only one supplier of these goods/ services.

We cannot provide donations for some conditions, for instance, those disabilities which arise because of the normal aging process and for conditions which are best described as illnesses rather than disabilities.

We are unlikely to provide funding to pay for wages or salaries.

It is unlikely that a grant will be awarded if a client has received a donation from us within the last 12 months.

Donations must be taken within 12 months of being awarded.

Clients are responsible for the safe use, care, maintenance, servicing and insurance of all donated items.

Requests for help with transport, (apart from when this is included in a donation towards a holiday), will only be considered in very exceptional circumstances.

Where the request involves household items rather than specialist equipment, the letter of support must specify how these are related to ameliorating the effects of the disability rather than improving general family circumstances.

The sf group charitable fund will not donate in the area of major home improvements. The trustees will consider small cost alterations where these meet our criteria and there are exceptional circumstances involved.

In particular, the Charity CANNOT help with:

• Educational grants and course fees
• Debts of any kind, including telephone, gas, electricity and rent arrears
• Reimbursement of cost for items already purchased
• Motor vehicle purchase or expenses e.g. repairs / road tax / insurance / licence
• Nursing and residential home fees
• Funeral expenses/removal expenses
• Driving lessons
• Some therapies such as swimming with dolphins, hyperbaric therapy etc.
• Alternative therapies such as reflexology, acupuncture, faith healing etc.

Applications

If, after reading the above, you feel you are eligible for a donation, please apply by completing our preliminary enquiry form and we will respond within two weeks. You can do this on line or by post. Alternatively printed forms can be sent to you on request.