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Can you help? New fund set up
to help hard-pressed ADIs
2020 was a hard year for everyone, but
our industry was particularly hard hit.
Most driving instructors are selfemployed
and have been unable to
work during the various lockdowns and
more restrictive Tiers in operation.
Although the Self-employed Income
Support Scheme has provided an
income for some, there are a number
who have been unable to access funds
under the scheme. This group includes,
but is not limited to, those who have
not been self-employed long enough or
have earned enough prior to the start of
the 2020-21 tax year. This has left a
lot of people wondering how they will
survive this current pandemic and its
related challenges.
Bobbie Hicks and Susan McDonald
are two well established ADIs who
have set about organising a fund to
help ADIs and PDIs who are struggling
financially.
The ADI Fund: How it will work
Bobbie and Susan say: “As driving
instructors ourselves, we want to help
others who are struggling financially,
even if it is only with small amounts. In
these trying times everybody needs a
little help and if the Government cannot
help us all, then the least we, as driving
instructors, can do is help each other
and share what little we do have.
By doing so we also show those less
fortunate than ourselves that we care
about the predicament they are in.
We are asking driving instructors and
driving schools if they could make a
small donation – as little as £1 if you
want, but more if possible – to a fund
that will help instructors who will not
receive Government assistance through
the usual channels set up to respond to
the Covid-19 pandemic.
We know it is hard for everybody at
the moment, but with around 39,000
ADIs on the register, if everyone was
able to donate £1 to this fund it would
show that while we may work alone
and vie for the same customers, we
don’t have to be alone when we need
help.”
Who will decide if a grant
is to be made to an ADI?
Grants will be considered by a panel
drawn from members of the leading
‘‘
As driving instructors ourselves,
we want to help others who are
struggling financially ...
everybody needs a little help
and if the Government cannot
help us all, then the least we, as
driving instructors, can do is
help each other and share what
little we do have...
‘‘
national associations. The panel will be
unaware of the identity of the applicant,
who will have had to provide supporting
evidence of their need when making an
application. Small grants will be made and
will be on a one-off basis only.
We will have an independent person,
not an ADI, to monitor and audit our
income and expenditure and bank
account.
No expenses will be taken by us or by
the panel; all monies received will be for
the fund to help ADIs and PDIs, other
than any bank charges that may be
incurred. Payments will be made via bank
transfer into the recipients’ bank accounts.
Selfemployed
support
Ongoing plans
Although this fund has been set up as a
result of Covid-19, and to help people
through the current situation, it is hoped
that if funds can be secured on an ongoing
basis this project can continue to help
those in our industry who need it in the
future.
Thanks must go to everyone who has
donated so far and made the fund such a
success to date.
The link to the fund is:
https://campaign.wellinformed.
co.uk/t/r-l-juhhtrkk-l-u/
The link to the rules is at:
https://campaign.wellinformed.
co.uk/t/r-l-judittyd-oitiyhtlki-u/
By going to the link you can see the
amount that has been raised so far.
Everyone who has been working on this
fund for the industry is extremely grateful
to the people who have donated. These
include Marmalade Insurance, which has
donated £2,500 at the beginning and has
promised to donate another £7,500 if the
fund can reach £12,500.
This would make an amazing
achievement of £20,000 as a starting
point. All the organisers would be grateful
for any small donations to help our
colleagues.
The Government’s Self-Employed Income Support scheme
MSA GB members are encouraged to check out the latest on the support packages
available from the Government, through the Gov.uk website.
Click here for the latest
on the support for the
self-employed...
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NEWSLINK n JANUARY 2021