The NPF – the journalists’ charity – has lost its treasurer of 26
years as it embarks on finding £5m to rebuild its Dorking nursing home.
Former Press Association journalist Noel Richley retired at the charity’s annual general meeting last week at the age of 94.
NPF council chairman Nick Jones presented Richley with gifts and council colleagues paid tribute to his work.
Joint treasurer Brian Ager now takes on sole responsibility for the post.
Jones’s annual report marked a critical moment in the charity’s 140-year history, he said.
By
the middle of this month, the council will have tender estimates for
the rebuilding of Sandy Cross nursing home, and will decide in July
whether donations and pledges of cash will enable the scheme to go
ahead.
Fundraising has already begun. Jones said: “Gaining the
confidence of both journalists and the wider media industry has been no
easy task but I do believe we have demonstrated that the rebuilding of
Sandy Cross is not only a viable and worthwhile project but also one
that deserves wide support.”
Meanwhile, the NPF’s core work of
dispensing grants continues – the charity paid out £203,000 in 2004 and
anticipates spending more in the future.
● NPF membership is up
to 5,800 but it has “lost” 1,000 of those for whom it does not have
up-to-date addresses. It is appealing to all members to update their
records with the Dorking HQ.
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