Charity & community news

18 Charity & Community

Sussex Snippets A total of £462,000 has been awarded to fund 560 taser devices between the Sussex and Surrey police forces. This will mean an extra 291 new tasers for Sussex Police, bringing the total to more than 1,100. Both forces can now achieve their ambition of making Tasers available for any police officer who wants one (estimated to be 80% of the frontline). In other news from the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, more than £500,000 in grants was awarded from the Safe Space Funding Network to 17 local charities. This is to help support victims of child sexual exploitation, domestic and sexual violence, stalking and harassment, along with other forms of trauma and modern slavery. Meanwhile an interesting example of one of Sussex Police’s many modern challenges where, through better use of technology, a positive outcome was achieved. Chief Constable Giles York said: “Over 300 victims had been subject to 3,000 malicious telephone calls from an unknown male, often of an offensive sexual nature. This was difficult to trace as he used different numbers and phoned at different times of the day. One of my analysts had the idea of locating where the call was made from and correlate that with ANPR (number plate recognition) data. "Through this information he was able to identify a man in Burgess Hill who was buying second hand phones and using software to reignite old contact lists. Officers seized over 200 phones from his premises. He has pleaded guilty this month and is due to be sentenced next month.” The South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) is developing handy downloadable guides that will include some of the best circular routes across Sussex and Hampshire. The Authority is keen to hear from horse riders about where they like to ride and what their favourite routes are. They need a) start point –ideally with horsebox parking; b) the length of ride; c) a short description of the route and a simple map showing the route. Initially they are keen to hear from riders who use the following areas, but routes in other areas are also welcomed: • Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Hampshire • Harting Down, West Sussex • Heyshott Common, West Sussex • Eartham Woods, West Sussex • Seven Sisters Country Park, East Sussex • East Dean, East Sussex. Email responses to: access@southdowns.gov.uk From the end of last year, West Sussex recycling centres have asked users to show photo ID with proof of residence within West Sussex. The scheme is set out on the WSCC website, where there is also a

recognition that the policy will produce a negative impact on the environment. “The proposal will mean that some non-West Sussex residents will need to travel further to a site in their own area.” However “It is hoped that this may be mitigated by some residents making fewer trips and/or selecting alternative and more sustainable routes for managing their waste such as home composting and use of kerbside collection services.” The section on “sustainability” on the WSCC website states: “We want sustainability to be more central to the way we all work. We believe this approach will help us combat climate change; ensure that all our work benefits society, the economy and the environment in the long-term.” West Sussex County Council have agreed proposals to invest almost £200m in road schemes over the next five years (including £44.2m for the re-alignment of the A29 in Bognor Regis and £19.1m for improvements to the A2300 in Burgess Hill), as well as £45.2m to produce renewable energy and generate income through solar farms and battery energy storage schemes. The £712m five-year ‘capital programme’ also includes an investment of £47.5m for the Fire and Rescue Service, for a proposed new fire training centre and Horsham Fire Station, planned improvements to fire stations, as well as new state of the art equipment and vehicles. Email notices to: info@sussexlocal.net

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20 Charity & Community

Volunteering show for May 16th This year the Community Partnership in Storrington is planning a bigger and better Storrington On Show at the Chanctonbury Leisure Centre to showcase the wide range of activities and opportunities existing in the voluntary organisations, and to raise the profile of volunteering, along with the benefits it can bring. The show takes place on Saturday 16th May. If you want to know more, or your group would be interested in taking part, then contact David on 01903 746101. Water Lane near misses Dear Editor The problem with the comments by P.D.Mace is that traffic travelling on the Thakeham Rd does not slow down when approaching the junction. I could not count the number of times that vehicles on that road regard themselves as having right of way and near misses are common. Although not illegal to keep an engine idling (yet) whilst in traffic, it is stated in the Highway Code that if a car is stationary for more than a couple of minutes, one should turn off the engine. Modern cars often do this automatically. If this junction was not perceived as dangerous traffic lights would not be being installed. M. James Village Day preparations The Storrington Village Day organising committee has started planning for this grand summer community event and promises a fun day of singing and dancing by local school children, a funfair and games, dog

Storrington Cubs and Beavers receive their cheque

show, Morris Dancing, bar and bbq, Lions giant book fair, grand raffle, a display of classic cars from SADCASE enthusiasts, a scarecrow building competition, teas and cakes, as well as lots of charity, craft and trade stalls. This free annual event was revived last year and is led by The Rotary Club of Storrington & Pulborough District with strong support from Storrington & Sullington Parish Council and local community clubs and groups. The new Committee Chairman, Rotary President Mark Foss, is keen to have a big village input and is encouraging as many groups as possible to join in and contribute to a fun day for the whole community. All proceeds from the event will be used to support many village activities for young people. Last year’s event saw a £4,250 awarded to a number of Storrington young people’s groups who helped at the event, including the Sandra Wilson Dance School; Storrington Scout Group; Guides, Brownies and Rainbows; Storrington Primary School; and the Air Cadets, plus Maxwell Smith, 7, of Thakeham who suffers from mitochondrial depletion syndrome, requiring 24 hour care. For more information contact Mark on 01798 812380 or email mark.e.foss@gmail.com Sussexdown new manager Not-for-profit charity Care South has appointed Registered Nurse Raphy Perez as the new general manager at its Sussexdown care home. Based in Washington Road, Storrington, Sussexdown offers specialist nursing and dementia care. Formerly an RAF Association home, it is surrounded by stunning countryside and landscaped gardens. Sussexdown is run by not-for-profit charity Care South, which manages care homes across the south of England. Relatives have praised the high level of care, saying staff treated residents with a level of love and respect that was “beyond our expectations”. Others said staff are “really lovely, cheerful, friendly and nothing was too much trouble”. Notices: info@sussexlocal.net.

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22 Charity & Community

Squires donate trees to hospice Squire’s Garden Centre has donated ten Silver Birch trees to Chestnut Tree House in Arundel as part of their ‘Love Where You Live’ campaign. The trees were planted on 5th March, in a joint effort by the charity and employees from Squire’s in Washington. “The Woodland Walk is a special outdoors space, designed to give the children lots of things to see, explore and discover. It’s a firm favourite with the families!” says Caroline Roberts-Quigley at Chestnut Tree House. “Thank you to the team at Squire’s for this wonderful donation and helping us plant the saplings.” Night to Remember opens Open to everyone aged 10 and over, St Barnabas House’s ‘Night to Remember’ is your chance to remember a loved one, support local people, take on a personal challenge or encourage yourself to get fit. Whatever your motivation, the midnight walk on Saturday 27 June will be a Night to Remember. Over the past 12 years, 11,900 friends, families and colleagues have taken part in ‘Night to Remember’ –walking the streets and seafront of Worthing, raising an incredible £1.7 million to support local hospice

Notices: info@sussexlocal.net. care. Participants can pick from a 7, 13.1, or 20 mile route which will take them past Worthing to Lancing and Shoreham. All sponsorship money goes towards the St Barnabas House Hospice at Home service. Visit www.stbh.org.uk/nighttoremember to register and find or more. Charity marathon bid Horsham resident Gemma Morris, who works as a senior cabin crew member for Luxaviation UK, is participating in the 35th Marathon Des Sables on 3 April. The Marathon Des Sables is known as the hardest footrace in the world, covering 250km over 6 days in 50 degree heat. Gemma has a JustGiving page where she has raised over £12,000 so far for Anthony Nolan who work in saving the lives of those suffering from blood cancer after her dad died from the disease.

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24 Legal

Life Interest Trusts By Will Writer Emma Wells MIPW Probably the biggest worry and most contentious issue that people talk to me about is that there will be nothing left for their children to inherit if they need to pay for care later in life. People often fall into two categories, those who are pained at the thought of paying out more than they already have during their lives and those who accept that if you have the means to pay, then that’s what you should do. Neither side is wrong, but it is always worth exploring your options regardless of which way you lean. Many clients approach me regarding putting their home into a trust to avoid it being used to fund long term care, but this is rarely a viable option. If you have put your property into a trust and then go on to require care your actions may be considered deliberate deprivation by the local authority and in most cases the trust won’t work- despite you having paid thousands to set the trust up. The local authority are wise to such trusts and should you require care, they simply set aside the trust as though it doesn’t exist and value your estate with your property included. The onus is on you to prove there was a legitimate reason for creating the trust that wasn’t anything at all to do with care home fees. You are considered

guilty until proven innocent. For the trust to work, you would have to fail to disclose its existence at the point of assessment, and in doing so you’ve probably committed benefit fraud. If we accept that you may need care at some point and it that will need to be paid for, then look at what you can legitimately do that isn’t going to land you in hot water with the local authority, the tax man or leave disgruntled children. Using a Life Interest Trust in your Will secures half of your property for your chosen beneficiaries. You leave your half of your property to beneficiaries other than your partner but with a Life Interest in the property for your partner. This means that your partner can carry on living in the property treating it as though it is theirs in its entirety including being able to sell the property and buy another in its place. The person with the Life Interest takes precedence over the beneficiaries until stipulated within your Will but your share is not owned by them so should your partner go on to need care only their half of the property can be assessed for payment means. Your children will therefore inherit at least half of the value of your property and your partner will be able to afford decent care. For more information on this please do get in touch, alternatively, we will be discussing Life Interest Trusts in more detail at our free seminar on 16th April at Storrington Village hall at 2:30pm. To join us please book on 01903 821010 or email: wills@nsure.co.uk

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