The
Gallimore Trust Benefactor: Mr F Chart
The intention is that funds from the Gallimore Trust should act as a 'safety net' to bolster Staffordshire Bull Terrier groups that may be short of funds. Aid others to set up new groups in areas where one is deemed neccesary and to help with unexpected expenses which may face any of these groups.
Who were the Gallimores?
Gwen & Victor emigrated to the USA where they both continued breeding, showing & judging. Gwen actually died in the USA. Later when Victor died he left in his will a generous sum of around £40,000 to set up a trust fund to help with rescuing Staffords. According to the terms of his will, only the interest from the investment of the legacy may be used for distribution. All Stafford owners will be aware that there are many groups working to rehome unwanted or stray Staffords.
What are the aims of the Gallimore Trust? Victor Gallimore's intention was that his fund should act as a 'safety net' to bolster groups that may be short of funds. Aid others to set up new groups in areas where one is deemed neccesary and to help with unexpected expenses which may face any of these groups. With the recent huge growth in popularity of the breed, the need for rescue organisations has never been greater and whilst some areas manage to keep within the monies they raise, others, particulary in highly populated urban areas, find it hard to cover all the demands made on their resouces. The late Ron Grantham, one of the breeds first rescue workers, oversaw the drawing up of the Trust Deed, following the legal requirements of the will and those of the Charity Commission. The present trustees are Derek Smart (Chairman); Clare Lee (Secretary); Shirley Gray (Treasurer), Vic Pounds, Ann Gatenby & Wendy Clewley. They are therefore drawn from the North, South, Midlands, West & East. All the trustees are people well versed in the breed and who might be expected to have their fingers on the pulse of events within the breed. The panel meets twice a year and allocates monies to other rescue organisations where it has come to their attention that they are helping Staffords. Occasionally individuals will approach the Trust to help with some rescue problem they may have. These are all checked with the nearest Club or Rescue organisation to make sure they are really 'bona fides' and every claim must be backed up with receipts etc. All the organisations helped send details of their work and keep the Trustees well informed about their accounts, events etc. The Trust does no 'hands on' work, although all of the Trustees are helpers with one or other of the organisations dealing with Staffords. Trying to spread the help throughout the Country and plugging the holes that others cannot fill is an important part of the work.
Trust Donations Donations primarily go to breed rescue groups but also to general rescue organisations. So for example when we heard of a rescue centre on the outskirts of Birmingham which was dealing with a large number of Staffords, we were delighted to be able to give a donation which was 'ring-fenced' specifically for the neutering of Stafford bitches coming into the kennels. The Trust is not a closed one and we already have promise of some money from future legacies - always with the original proviso that only 'interest' from the investment of the donated money may be used for distribution. We feel that this is an important safeguard when people are leaving money to any fund, and especially one which can so easily gobble up money, as can animal rescue. The trust is, of course, run according to the rules of the Charity Commision. If you would like to contact the Gallimore Trust then please click here for details of contacts. Clare Lee (on Behalf of the Trustees of the Gallimore Trust) |
Gwen & Victor Gallimore were well known breeders of Staffordshire
Bull Terriers throughout the sixties & seventies. Gwen is probably remembered
best for breeding Champion Wystaff Warfare, the first Stafford ever to win Best In Show at
an all breeds general championship show.