Up to 500,000 naval personnel, veterans and their dependants could be entitled to help with the cost of living crisis from a charity founded 100 years ago. The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust (RNBT) has launched a drive to get people to seek support after research it commissioned showed 57% of people not being familiar with charitable help available to them.
The charity, which is supported by The Railway Children and Call The Midwife actress Jenny Agutter, provides grants to serving and ex-serving men and women ratings and their families, no matter how long they were in the Royal Navy. Grants are available for anything from help with energy bills, to buying essential white goods like fridges and washing machines, modifications to homes and support getting into employment and setting up businesses.
As it celebrates its centenary, the charity has nearly £3 million available this year to help naval families who have been struggling during the cost-of-living crisis. With the average age of a seaman being 30, research conducted by the RNBT found in the past year only 5% of all grants have been given to those aged 18-34.
