Rifles Benevolent Trust

The Rifles Benevolent Trust, established in 2007, is a specialist military charity dedicated to relieving hardship among serving and former members of The Rifles and its antecedent regiments, including Regulars, Reserves, and their dependants—such as partners, widows, and children—particularly those facing financial difficulty, sickness, old age, mental health challenges, injury, or family breakdown. Rooted in a long regimental history, its mission emphasises comradeship, loyalty, compassion, and mutual support, delivering flexible, needs-led aid to preserve dignity and promote independence through initiatives like Care for Casualties and Always a Rifleman. Governed by senior Rifles officers, it prioritises rapid, confidential responses via internal welfare teams, focusing on practical relief rather than long-term organisational projects.

Funding targets direct individual benevolence, including emergency grants for rent, food, and debt relief; essential goods like mobility aids or white goods; home adaptations for disabled veterans; specialist medical treatment and PTSD therapy; crisis accommodation; job retraining; and welfare advocacy. Grants support urgent, tangible needs across the UK, with no geographic restrictions, often in partnership with other Armed Forces charities for complex cases.

Unsolicited applications from charities or organisations are not accepted; aid flows primarily through regimental welfare channels for verified Rifles-connected individuals, with no income thresholds or entity size rules specified. Typical grants range from £500 to £3,000, awarded on a rolling basis with no deadlines or public portals—casework is continuous and needs-assessed.

Distinctively, the Trust excludes general community projects, other regiments, or unrelated beneficiaries, rarely funding organisations except via internal co-funding arrangements. Its niche expertise in Rifles-specific challenges sets it apart as a responsive, regimental lifeline rather than a broad funder.