Benefits and Work has news of a trust with money available now to help women who need a holiday.
{jcomments on}Mary Macarthur was born in Ayr in 1880 the daughter of a draper. Joining the Shop Assistants’ Union in 1901 she was elected the President of its Scottish District Council within a year. In 1903 she moved to London and became General Secretary of the Women’s Trade Union League. She helped to form the National Federation of Women Workers in 1906 and was its President for the first two years. She served as its General Secretary from 1908 to 1921 when it was merged with what is now the GMB, shortly before her tragic early death.
Mary Macarthur had often expressed concern that the “tired working women”, with whom she came into contact, had no hope of respite or of a holiday.
The Trust exists to provide holidays for women who are in need of a period of rest or holiday by reason of age, poverty, infirmity, disablement or social or economic circumstances. The Trust aims to provide a break needed at a crucial time and provides financial help towards the cost of a holiday.
The Trust tries to help as many women as possible each year. Therefore the maximum available for any holiday is normally £350.00, although this may be increased very slightly in exceptional circumstances.
Her aim “to fight, to struggle, to right the wrong” so that those in need might hope for better things is continued today in the fulfilment of her dream to provide the respite needed by women.
To see if you could qualify for a grant to have a much needed holiday: have a look at the criteria
