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Newcastle United Supporters Trust (NUST)

Alby

by Alby
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Newcastle United Supporters Trust (NUST)   

186 members have voted

  1. 1. Have you / do you intend to pledge to the 1892 Pledge scheme orchestrated by the NUST?

    • Yes
      70
    • No
      107

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LFEE

LFEE

Posted
Posted

Just got this for those interested…

 

 

NUST - 1892 Pledge Scheme Update
 

Dear Member,
 
Thank you for your patience.
 
The 1892 Pledge Scheme was halted in January this year on your direction with 83% of you voting to end the Scheme and distribute the funds to charity. The takeover of Newcastle United in 2021 has transformed the fortune of the football club and members agreed there was no longer the requirement for this Trust to collect funds in attempt to safeguard the future of Newcastle United.
 
Since January this year the Pledge Committee made up of Trust Guardians and members of the Trust Board have worked together to present a suitable destination for the £200,000 Trust members raised between April 2021 and January 2022. 
 
The North East of England has many deserving charities and how to best distribute the funds was a question not easily answered.  The Pledge Committee wanted to support multiple charities yet provide selected charities with enough money to make a significant difference to the lives of the people the charities support.  It was also important to the Pledge Committee that the Pledge Scheme money be used on projects members could recognise and see the positive effects of, rather than be paid across for general running costs.
 
Our Pledge Guardians came together and asked the Pledge Committee to consider supporting four charities that Trust members know and recognise. Four charities that have links back to our great football club:

Newcastle United Foundation

The Alan Shearer Foundation

Newcastle West End Foodbank (better known as the Newcastle United Fans Foodbank)

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation

Minutes of the meeting between the Pledge Guardians and Committee that took place on 21st July 2022 can be found HERE

George Caulkin, on behalf of The Pledge Guardians, has written the following for members to explain their decision making:
 
How best to describe the 1892 Pledge scheme, now it’s winding down? How about: beautiful failure? Or what about: beautiful success? It’s a failure because the original intention was to help save Newcastle United in the horrific (but all-too plausible) event of the club dropping down the divisions and it’s beautiful because, for reasons we all appreciate, that safety net is no longer necessary. 

It’s beautiful, too, because the notion of fan ownership is one worth fighting for, then and now. It’s beautiful because as a result of the takeover, the second part of the Pledge comes into effect, which is that the funds you helped raise will be distributed to worthy causes across our region. And it’s a success because as we have seen at St James’ Park over recent months, the force of a united Newcastle can make big things happen. You did that.  

As guardians of the 1892 Pledge, we had two main tasks; to act as a lock on the money – to ensure it was only spent on the things it was meant to be spent on – and then, once the decision had been taken to give it away, to advise the NUST board on the charities it could be given to. This was a weighty responsibility, but our guiding light was this; if we could not save the club, we would use the prism of the club to help save and improve lives in our city and beyond. 

We believe our choices fulfil that remit. Each of the Newcastle United Foundation, the Alan Shearer Foundation, the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and the Newcastle West End Foodbank has an umbilical connection to our club and each do vital, life-changing work. Our money will fund infrastructure projects or have a lasting effect over the coming years. The Pledge scheme may have ended, but these relationships are only beginning. They will bloom and grow.

I'm so proud of our beautiful failure, our beautiful success. I'm so proud of us, so proud of you. Thank you for everything you’ve done.

George Caulkin, Lee Humble, Ian Mearns MP, Warren Barton 

What next?
 

The Pledge Committee has spent several months speaking to charities and learning about their needs and funding requirements.  Charities were asked to provide funding requests for the Pledge Committee detailing why money was needed and what projects it would be spent on.  You can find the proposals submitted by each organisation by clicking on the links below:

The Trust Board requires the consent of Trust members to make the payment of money to the charities as outlined below:

The Alan Shearer Foundation - £83,500

The Newcastle United Foundation - £30,000

The Bede Foodbank - £27,500

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation - £59,000

We are asking you to vote ‘yes’ on this proposed division of the 1892 Pledge Scheme funds.
 
Please click HERE to vote. 

NB: Voting will open on Monday 12th September and close at Midnight on Tuesday 20th September.

In order to vote, you must hold an active NUST membership and will need to know your NUST membership number. If you do not know your membership number please go to https://nufctrust.co.uk/support/ and select "I Don't Know My Mem No". 

Any support requests for membership numbers must be made by Midnight on Sunday 18th September in order to ensure you receive a response in time to place your vote. Requests for membership number information cannot be made by email.
 
The vote requires a 50.1% majority of eligible members who vote one way or the other to carry.

 
What happens if?..


The ‘Yes’ vote wins...

After communicating with members, the results of the vote, the money would be paid to the charities as soon as possible. It is expected it would not take more than a week to do this.

Trust members will be emailed to inform them that the charities had been paid in full

The charities will provide updates in the coming months and possibly years for Trust members to demonstrate that the funds have been spent on the projects that they were requested. These updates will be delivered by the Trust through emails and social media.

The ‘No’ vote wins...

The Pledge Committee would meet to decide next steps and another proposal to members would be put together in the coming months after feedback was taken on why the current proposal for the selected charities was rejected

Further Information
 
If you have questions about the proposal, please email [email protected] with the subject line ‘1892 Pledge vote’ and someone will respond to you within 24 hours. 
 
Pledge Guardians are willing to attend an online meeting with members before the vote deadline if there are questions that cannot be answered. If you would like to put questions to the Guardians or Trust Board, please email the Board at the above email address if you would like to take up this option and a suitable time will be sought. 
 
Please be aware that the decision to stop the Scheme was backed by a huge majority of voting members and neither the Trust Board by email or the Pledge Guardians can change that decision.
 
Closing comments
 
The 1892 Pledge Scheme was a remarkable achievement by Trust members to try and safeguard our football club as it seemed destined to slide toward relegation and beyond.  Instead of having to continue to do what we should never have to do we are able to come together to make a remarkable difference in our community in within this city.
 
£200,000 will leave a legacy with deserving charities that have helped people within this city and beyond. Each charity has been served by the supporters of this football club whilst also helping Newcastle United supporters in the most incredible ways.
 
The Trust Board and Guardians sincerely hope you believe our work in months gone by has been effective in choosing deserving charities with deserving projects.  Please vote ‘yes’ and with your consent we can get this huge sum of money to where it is needed.
 
Thank you

Newcastle United Supporters Trust

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We are stronger in numbers. Do you know a supporter who hasn't yet signed up to be a member of the NUFC Trust? Please share the work we are doing and encourage them to sign up on our website. The more members we have, the louder our voice is. Thank you!
 

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54

54

Posted
Posted
3 minutes ago, HTT II said:

Sorry but the others need it less!

Don't know if I'm a wet wipe for thinking this, but to me it feels wrong to say one charity deserves less or more money than another, they all equally need the funds for different reasons.

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Guest HTT II

Guest HTT II

Posted
Posted (edited)
10 minutes ago, 54 said:

Don't know if I'm a wet wipe for thinking this, but to me it feels wrong to say one charity deserves less or more money than another, they all equally need the funds for different reasons.

Nah people are starving, can’t afford to buy food or feed a family, the others have expertise on tap and far more resources and fame to garner more funding, maybe Shearer could be a patron of a food bank… and the NUFC foundation, we are owned by PIF FFS, I’d be livid if they get some of the money!

 

 

Edited by HTT II

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Guest HTT II

Guest HTT II

Posted
Posted (edited)

The Alan Shearer and NUFC Foundation getting more money than a Food Bank FFS, total piss take. I want the money I’ve donated over the years back, so I can donate it directly to my local West End Food Bank! What a mug I’ve been!

 

 

Edited by HTT II

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Rafalove

Rafalove

Posted
Posted

Seems like some very worthy causes there to me. New inivataive cancer treatment sounds fantastic, and so does all that stuff Alan Shearer was talking about when it comes to helping disabled children. Delighted my money has gone towards all of this

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Joey Linton

Joey Linton

Posted
Posted (edited)

Pleased they've got around to drawing this to a close, but right to the end it's still an absolute mess unfortunately.

 

Will leave it there though.

 

Hope the funds are used well and benefit those most in need of them.

 

 

Edited by Joey Linton

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nufcjmc

nufcjmc

Posted
Posted

My little boy is autistic and uses the Alan Shearer centre. Free to entry no barriers to entry except for over subscribed services. The charity needs annual regular money to maintain its offering and maintain and renew equipment. I live near a charity that offer a hydro therapy pool at a "discounted" rate of £60 for 45 minutes. It's free at the Alan Shearer centre albeit near impossible to get a booking due to popularity.

 

I don't feel comfortable with putting a weight to which charity needs it most. While I agree the ability to feed and cloth yourself is a basic human need. The specialist and bespoke service on offer is vital for my sons wellbeing he regularly self harms and despite only being 4 has begun to hit his head when he is overwhelmed that all melts away when he goes to one of those sensory rooms. We literally would be lost without it. 

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Heron

Heron

Posted
Posted

As frustrating as this process may have been for many, even on the board (I suspect), it's an incredibly large achievement in my opinion and they can and should be proud of it.

 

The notion of fan ownership in my opinion is still required, albeit not for a long time for us now, you'd think, but plugs will eventually be pulled...

 

As critical as I am and will continue to be, I cnanot knock this for effort. 

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Lazarus

Lazarus

Posted
Posted (edited)
17 minutes ago, Heron said:

As frustrating as this process may have been for many, even on the board (I suspect), it's an incredibly large achievement in my opinion and they can and should be proud of it.

 

The notion of fan ownership in my opinion is still required, albeit not for a long time for us now, you'd think, but plugs will eventually be pulled...

 

As critical as I am and will continue to be, I cnanot knock this for effort. 

 

:spit:

 

 

Edited by Lazarus

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TheBrownBottle

TheBrownBottle

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, nufcjmc said:

My little boy is autistic and uses the Alan Shearer centre. Free to entry no barriers to entry except for over subscribed services. The charity needs annual regular money to maintain its offering and maintain and renew equipment. I live near a charity that offer a hydro therapy pool at a "discounted" rate of £60 for 45 minutes. It's free at the Alan Shearer centre albeit near impossible to get a booking due to popularity.

 

I don't feel comfortable with putting a weight to which charity needs it most. While I agree the ability to feed and cloth yourself is a basic human need. The specialist and bespoke service on offer is vital for my sons wellbeing he regularly self harms and despite only being 4 has begun to hit his head when he is overwhelmed that all melts away when he goes to one of those sensory rooms. We literally would be lost without it. 

And this is why charity, ultimately, isn’t a societal good.  The selection of ‘deserving’ and ‘undeserving’.

 

The Newcastle United Foundation one is lost on me mind.  Christ, I think the owners have enough spare change rattling around to support that one. 

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bobloblaw

bobloblaw

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, TheBrownBottle said:

And this is why charity, ultimately, isn’t a societal good.  The selection of ‘deserving’ and ‘undeserving’.

 

The Newcastle United Foundation one is lost on me mind.  Christ, I think the owners have enough spare change rattling around to support that one. 

 

I think I know what you mean, but still.

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Sima

Sima

Posted
Posted (edited)

Why has it taken so long to decide on the four charities that most would probably guess that they would give the money to if given only a few minutes? :lol: 

 

We were led to believe it was a significant vetting process.

 

 

Edited by Sima

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Sima

Sima

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, Sean said:

How did they manage to raise exactly £200,000 to the penny? Not a little more or less. Seems a very specific (and unlikely) number to me.


Alex’s corporate tickets won’t pay for themselves.

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Guest HTT II

Guest HTT II

Posted
Posted (edited)
7 hours ago, nufcjmc said:

My little boy is autistic and uses the Alan Shearer centre. Free to entry no barriers to entry except for over subscribed services. The charity needs annual regular money to maintain its offering and maintain and renew equipment. I live near a charity that offer a hydro therapy pool at a "discounted" rate of £60 for 45 minutes. It's free at the Alan Shearer centre albeit near impossible to get a booking due to popularity.

 

I don't feel comfortable with putting a weight to which charity needs it most. While I agree the ability to feed and cloth yourself is a basic human need. The specialist and bespoke service on offer is vital for my sons wellbeing he regularly self harms and despite only being 4 has begun to hit his head when he is overwhelmed that all melts away when he goes to one of those sensory rooms. We literally would be lost without it. 

That’s great that your boy has such use of facilities and any charity is a worthy cause that they all need funding for, I just absolutely feel, our food banks and the homeless too are in more need of funding and that the money the Trust has received from fans, could be better used. Again, the NUFC Foundation does not need a donation and certainly not of that amount above and beyond a food bank. I’ll never support them again personally. And as great as the Sir Bobby and Shearer foundations are, they have millions in the coffers and have famous names behind them to drum up support and donations. My own food bank in the West End has some random person from say Benwell trying to drum up support and donations, they have more demand than food they can dole out and donations of food and money and even help and support is in short supply. But hey, NUFC’s own foundation needs the money more apparently…

 

 

Edited by HTT II

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