2019 is the centenary year of THE ACHILLES CLUB. In order to mark this important anniversary, the Club is reaffirming its original objectives and, in addition, emphasising its broader charitable purpose which is exercised through THE ACHILLES TRUST, a registered charity.
The original aim of the Club was to provide a forum through which Oxford and Cambridge athletes could compete together, both while touring overseas - in particular in the TRANSATLANTIC SERIES against the Ivy League, now in its 125th year - and in domestic competition. This purpose is as true today as it was in 1919, albeit that with the advent of first claim clubs, the opportunities for domestic competition are reduced.
The Club, through THE ACHILLES TRUST, has a broader charitable purpose best described as "sport for all". The athletics clubs are the largest sports clubs in each University. At the same time, both Universities continue to see greater diversification in terms of student backgrounds. This expansion of the student base over the last hundred years is indeed one of the most notable features of both Oxford and Cambridge.
The need for support is greater than ever before, as official funding is increasingly withdrawn whilst the costs of providing coaching and other assistance continue to rise.
The Club, through THE ACHILLES TRUST, now seeks your support in its centenary year. Below you will find a form containing some donation options, should you wish to contribute.
As a charity the Trust can seek gift aid to receive an extra 25% on donations from tax payers. Donors who are higher rate taxpayers can also receive a similar tax rebate.
3 X 100: THE GOLD CIRCLE
We are appealing for recurring annual contributions of £100 FROM 100 MEMBERS IN OUR 100TH YEAR. Contributors and those who have already pledged or donated £1,000 or more will automatically become a member of THE GOLD CIRCLE and be entitled to a distinctive lapel pin.
SPECIFY SUPPORT OF OUAC OR CUAC
Other annual or one-off donations remain very welcome, and for all contributions there is now the option to request that some or all be apportioned to either OUAC or CUAC
REMEMBER ACHILLES IN YOUR WILL
Please consider bequeathing monies as part of your estate. Again, you have the option to apportion some of your monies to your University Athletics Club.
We hope that you enjoy your membership of THE ACHILLES CLUB and that you can help us to deliver its benefits to new generations as we enter our second century.
MAKING A BEQUEST TO THE ACHILLES TRUST
If you would like to pass on something of the fun and satisfaction which you enjoyed to the next generations of athletes at Oxford & Cambridge, please join with us and include THE ACHILLES TRUST in your Will. This is a tax effective way of expressing in a lasting manner your pride in membership of THE ACHILLES CLUB.
THE ACHILLES TRUST is a Registered Charity (no. 1152963). A gift in your Will reduces the size of your estate liable to Inheritance Tax by the amount of that gift. If you already have a Will please consider making a short codicil to achieve this, and if you are reviewing your Will please consider adding in a gift. The following form of wording would achieve the charitable purpose:
I GIVE to THE ACHILLES TRUST registered charity number 1152963 c/o the Clerk to the Trust whoever that may be from time to time ABSOLUTELY the sum of . . . . . . to be applied by THE ACHILLES TRUST for its charitable purposes, and I further direct that the receipt of the Clerk to the Trust shall be sufficient discharge to my executors. [Option: Apportion . . . % to OUAC or CUAC].
It would help our administration if you would kindly inform the Clerk to THE ACHILLES TRUST at the address below if you do decide to leave a gift. Such notification is not binding and is entirely revocable, but enables us to ensure that we continue to advise you of the Trust's and the Club's activities.
The Clerk to the Achilles Trust,
16 Tudor Close,
Woodford Green, Essex IG8 0LF trust@achilles.org
