Our Charities fund has helped literally thousands of individuals and organisations over the years. The Trustees of the Grand Order of Water Rats meet every month to discuss and assimilate the various requests for help. Of course we would like to help everyone but it just isn't possible.

We have though, been able to assist with donations or by supplying equipment to Guy's Hospital, Roy Castle's Cause for Hope, International Spinal Research, Macmillan Cancer Fund, Moorfields Eye Hospital, Order of St. John, Brinsworth House and many others. This is as well as helping performers and their dependants who, because of old age or disability are unable to work.

We are not a big organisation but we have big hearts and with your help we will go from strength to strength and continue our charitable work wherever and whenever possible.

If you would like to make a contribution please contact: John Adrian (Secretary to the Trustees), 16 Gloucester Court, Swan Street, London SE1 1DQ, telephone 020 7407 8007. Our charity is registered under the Charity Commission Act number 292201.

On 6th March 2003 Past King Rat Gorden Kaye spoke at the 76th Charter Night of the Rotary Club of Long Eaton, Nottingham. As a thank you for giving of his time Gorden received a cheque for our Charities Fund from the Rotary Club President Graham Smith MBE.

Our King Rat Chas McDevitt receives a wonderful donation from the Sir Henry Cooper/ Mike Reid Golf Classic. From left to right: Mike Reid, Max Morgan, King Rat Chas McDevitt and Past King Rat Sir Henry Cooper, OBE.

In April 2004 Past Scribe Rat Mike Craig spoke at a Long Eaton Rotary Club Dinner and received a cheque for the Water Rats from their President.

A weary but happy Past King Rat Keith Simmons is congratulated by King Rat Chas McDevitt just minutes after completing the London Marathon.

Past King Rat Keith Simmons Marathon Run acheived a total of £5,051. This figure has been split between The Outward Bound Trust and The Water Rats. Thanks again to all those who supported him with sponsorship and donations.

Past prince Rat Ken Joy (yes that's him in the middle!) and Producer and Water Rat Dick Ray present a cheque to Past King Rat Chas McDevitt from front of house collections made at the Shaw Theatre London during the 2004 panto run.

Here are just some of the organisations we have helped over the years:

Age Concern.

British Theatre for the Disabled.

Bud Flanagan Leukaemia Fund.

Cancer Research UK.

Brinsworth House (EABF).

Dyslexia Association.

Fire Services Benevolent Fund.

Gliding for the Disabled.

Great London Fund for the Blind.

Guys Hospital.

Jewish Association for the Mentally Ill.

Kings College Hospital (Harris Birthright).

MacMillan Nurses Cancer Fund.

Meningitis Research.

Moorfields Eye Hospital.

Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Multiple Sclerosis Society.

National Listening Library (for the Blind).

National Society for Epilepsy.

Parkinson's Disease Society.

Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.

Royal British Legion.

Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disabilities.

Royal Marsden Hospital.

Royal Star & Garter Home.

Special Gymnastics Association.

St Johns Ambulance.

The Stroke Association.

Yorkshire Children's Hospital Trust.

March 2005. Water Rat Paul Squire receives a cheque for £750 from the President of the Long Eaton Rotary Club (Andrew Blyth) following Paul's magnificent and highly entertaining after-dinner speech at the Club's annual charter evening. Paul, who gave his services in aid of the Grand Order of Water Rats, was accompanied by his talented sons Ben and Jamie. To sum up Paul's performance: "Brilliant!"

The Trustees are voted in for a five year period and each current King Rat acts as Chairman. Our current Trustees are:

King Rat Kaplan Kaye, Past King Rat Melvyn Hayes, Past King Rat Wyn Calvin MBE, Past King Rat Roy Hudd OBE, Past King Rat Keith Simmons, Past Prince Rat Ken Joy.

Water Rat Paul Daniels with Debbie receiving a £1,500 cheque for the Grand Order of Water Rats from President David Britton on behalf of the Rotary Club of Long Eaton. Paul and Debbie braved very bad weather in March 2006 to join 200 guests at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham, for the Rotary Club's annual charter dinner. Paul's visit in aid of the GOWR was much appreciated and enjoyed by everyone present!

Internationally well-known ventriloquist and Water Rat Neville King dropped into the Devonshire Suite on 4th May 2006 with 'Grandad' to present a cheque to the Phoenix Fund on behalf of the Grand Order of Water Rats. Neville interrupted rehearsals of Long Eaton Young Performers current production "Who Do You Think You Were Kidding Mr Hitler" and whilst with them gave an hour long Masterclass on the art of ventriloquism and voice-throwing with his famous assistant 'Grandad'. Introducing the subject, Neville gave the youngsters an informative behind-the-scenes talk about variety and music hall before demonstrating the art he has become so famous for all around the world. Neville said " It is really encouraging to see a group of young people doing something good with their lives and I am immensely encouraged by what I see and want to do all I can to help the Phoenix Fund. It is quite clear that these talented youngsters need a proper theatre to perform in to keep theatre alive in Long Eaton".

Most if not all of the youngsters, had never seen a ventriloquist work before and judging by the rousing applause Neville King received throughout his Masterclass, it is quite clear that they want to see more and all were looking forward to sharing the stage with Neville and other well-known Water Rats on Saturday 7th October 2006 at The May Hall, Trent College, Derby Road, Long Eaton, Nottingham for what was to be a terrific show.