New name brings HCBA 'up to date'

THE Hotel and Catering Benevolent Association (HCBA) has been renamed Hospitality Action as part of a series of measures designed to "bring the charity up to date".

Chief executive Alison Rogers said the use of the terms "hotel" and "catering" excluded many operators, particularly those in pubs and fast food restaurants.

"We need as much support as we can get," said Rogers, "and we can't afford to exclude anyone."

She said Hospitality Action was moving away from running traditional, sheltered housing for pensioners, and was concentrating on providing assistance to people "of all ages, when they need it".

Those helped include a 25-year-old chef who lost his sight and the wife of a vending merchandiser who had become wheelchair-bound, said Rogers. The charity provides short-term grants in cases of illness, bereavement, injury and where an employee has had to give up work to become a carer. It also offers advice on issues such as welfare rights and low income.

The charity is consulting housing associations about the running of its five residential homes, and is now concentrating on fundraising. It wants to raise £750,000 over the next year as part of a five-year plan to keep doubling its annual income. It plans to do this through events such as the Hospitality Ball (see page 64) and by encouraging hospitality workers to make contributions through their payroll.

l See Opinion, page 17