Rural Transport becomes first registered charity

Copyright Kevin Cooper Photoline: Tina McMillan, Project Manager, and Colin Preen, Chairman, Lagan Valley Rural Transport with Chief Commissioner Tom McGrath, and Frances McCandless, Charity Commission for Northern Ireland Chief Executive. At the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland first registration ceremony a number of Northern Ireland charities became the first charities to register with Charity Commission for Northern Ireland at their offices 257 Lough Road, Lurgan, Craigavon, Northern Ireland, BT66 6NQ on Friday, 13 December 2013. Commission Chief Executive Frances McCandless and Chief Commissioner Tom McGrath were joined by a number of Chief Executives and senior figures from the voluntary sector in Northern Ireland. Jonathan Gracey, District Director of Boys Brigade Northern Ireland, Bernice Swift from Fírinne, Brian Irwin, Development Manager and Liddean McStravog, Project Co-ordinator, from Cancer Lifeline, Sheenagh McNally, Liaison Officer with Supporting Communities NI, Seamus McAleavey, Chie

Lagan Valley Rural Transport, which offers Dial a Lift and social car schemes to people who may not otherwise have access to transport, has today become one of the first entries on the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s new register of charities.

The announcement was made as the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland officially began compulsory registration for all charities in Northern Ireland.

Tom McGrath, Chief Commissioner, commented: “I would like to congratulate Lagan Valley Rural Transport on becoming one of Northern Ireland’s first registered charities.

“I am also delighted to announce that today the Commission will begin full charity registration for the first time, marking a new chapter in the history of charity regulation in Northern Ireland.

“Registration will bring huge benefits to the charity sector, and to the people of Northern Ireland, many of whom give their time, money and knowledge to help support the work of the very charities we will be registering.”

Lagan Valley Rural Transport was one of a group of organisations which took part in the Commission’s pilot registration phase, using its application to test drive the Commission’s online registration system and processes.

Colin Preen, Chairman at Lagan Valley Rural Transport, commented: “We are very proud to have become one of Northern Ireland’s first registered charities.

“Anyone can now go online and check the register of charities, where they will see Lagan Valley Rural Transport has been legally confirmed by the Commission as a Northern Ireland charity.”

It is important to note that registration of all charities in Northern Ireland will not happen overnight.

It is estimated that there are between 7,000 and 12,000 charities currently operating in Northern Ireland so registration will be a managed process with organisations called forward by the Commission in tranches to apply.

If you would like to find out more information on registration, including what organisations will be required to register and any steps you can take to prepare your application, visit www.charitycommissionni.org.uk.

For more information on Lagan Valley Rural Transport and its work, visit www.laganvalleyruraltransport.co.uk.