The Sailors' Fund was a charitable fund established in 1970 following the abolition of the daily rum ration in the Royal Navy. It provided recreational, welfare and other charitable benefits for Royal Navy ratings and Royal Marine other ranks and their dependants. The fund was also known as the Sailors' "Tot" Fund or "Tot" Fund.
History
In January 1970, the government announced that £2.7 million would be paid into the fund. The Navy Records Society reported that ratings would play a major role in its administration, and in March the government told the House of Commons that arrangements for its administration had been communicated to the Fleet.
The fund began making grants in 1970. A grants committee consisting of six sailors and a Royal Marine allocated funds among ships in commission and for improvements to naval amenities. Among its early grants was £24,000 towards improvements to the swimming pool at HMS Mercury.
The fund supported naval amenities during the 1980s, including a contribution from the fund and Fleet Amenities Fund towards a multi-gym.
By 1991, t the fund's investments were valued at approximately £10.5 million. It spent more than £380,000 on projects that same year and made grants totally about £75,000. Among the grants were £48,000 towards refurbishment of the Trident Club at HMS Neptune, £17,600 towards refurbishment of the Warrant Officers' and Senior Rates' Mess at HMS Raleigh, £12,000 towards a glider and trailer for the Culdrose Gliding Club, and £10,000 towards a multi-sports area at HMS Sultan.
In evidence to the House of Commons Defence Committee in 1999, the fund was noted as a source of funding for naval welfare services.
Charitable purposes
The fund's charitable objects included providing recreational and entertainment facilities for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines; assisting naval ratings, Royal Marine other ranks and their dependants in need; and providing resettlement, further education and training facilities. Its objects also included supporting churches and religious activities for naval ratings and Royal Marine other ranks.
The fund later received donations associated with the commercial revival of Royal Navy rum. In 1979, Charles S. Tobias established Pusser's Rum after obtaining permission from the British Admiralty to reproduce the former Royal Navy rum blend commercially. As part of the arrangement, Tobias agreed to make donations from sales of the rum to the fund.
In 2009, the fund received a substantial donation from worldwide Pusser's Rum sales. It was the fund's largest source of income apart from its original bequest.
Registration and dissolution
The fund was registered as a charity in England and Wales on 7 December 1970 (charity number 261530). Its trust deed from 10 August 1970 was amended in 1990, 1995, 1996 and 2006.
The charity's assets were transferred to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity on 10 January 2007. The fund was removed from the Charity Commission register on 22 September 2009 following the transfer of its funds.