The Rugby Group Benevolent Fund has formally closed as of the end of December 2025, marking the conclusion of seven decades of charitable support for communities connected to the former Rugby Group, RMC and Cemex UK operations.
Established in 1955 and registered as a charity in 1973, the Fund was managed throughout its history by a dedicated group of Trustees, all former employees, who worked to ensure the organisation’s philanthropic legacy reached those who needed it most. Over the past 70 years the Fund distributed more than £17 million to a wide range of beneficiaries including charities, community organisations, youth groups and company pensioners.
Support focused on communities surrounding existing or former Cement Plants, including Rugby, Southam, Barrington, Kensworth, Lewes, Chinnor, Rochester and South Ferriby. In the Rugby area alone, the Fund provided substantial donations to organisations such as Myton Hospice, Helen Ley House, Friends of St Cross, Children in Touch, the Bradby Club, the Benn Partnership Centre, Hope 4 Rugby and Age Concern.
Across the country, the Fund supported a wide range of initiatives designed to improve wellbeing, opportunity and quality of life. In Rugby, the Benn Partnership Centre provides vital support to residents in a deprived area, helping people facing challenges such as unemployment, domestic violence and mental health issues through initiatives including its Beyond Recession project and community Work Club. Young people benefited through the Bradby Club, where a dedicated youth worker delivered education and counselling on substance misuse, reaching hundreds of local students.
The Fund also supported Futures Unlocked, helping people leaving prison rebuild their lives through mentoring and guidance that significantly reduces reoffending. Health and wellbeing initiatives were supported through contributions to facilities such as the Wisdom Day Hospice, where funding helped create a new day unit providing activities and companionship for patients. Long-term support was also given to East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, helping fund the UK’s first dedicated education and training centre for children’s hospices as well as ongoing training programmes and play facilities for young patients and their families. Community infrastructure benefited from the refurbishment of South Ferriby Village Hall, while Rugby Gymnastics Club received funding for specialist equipment that allows young athletes to train safely and reach their full potential.
Most recently, the Fund donated £100,000 to Friends of St Cross, supporting Rugby’s Hospital of St Cross and community and mental health services. This funding helped towards establishing a new drop-in centre in Rugby town centre, providing a “Health on the High Street” facility to improve access to health services. Expected to open in late 2026, the centre will offer a welcoming space for advice, support, treatment and referrals, bridging the gap between clinical care and community support.
Sadly, the Fund’s Chair for the last 20 years, and trustee for 25 years, Graeme Fuller, passed away on 1st December. A former HR Director of Rugby Cement, Graeme had put everything in place to secure the proper closure of the Fund but was unable to oversee its final weeks.
Ian Southcott, Rugby Group Benevolent Fund Director and Trustee, said: “It has been a privilege to continue the long-standing tradition of giving that began many decades ago within the Rugby Group. The Fund’s purpose has always been to support the wellbeing of our local communities and former colleagues, and we are incredibly proud of the positive impact achieved over the past 70 years. As the Fund reaches the natural conclusion of its journey, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed, partnered with us, or benefited from this work.”
The closure reflects the completion of the Fund’s planned charitable lifecycle, with all remaining commitments now fulfilled. The present Trustees and their predecessors can be justly proud of the contribution the Fund has made over seven decades.