Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 25th July 2024 Issue no. 1124
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Clapped in the clink for charity - Jim Melvin makes bail
The Master of The Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners, Jim Melvin, just about scraped through his 'brutal' incarceration for charity at the annual fundraising event Jailed and Bailed. Organised by various Livery Companies in London, this involves Livery Masters being 'arrested' and 'jailed' for a short period, before being 'bailed out' by their colleagues and friends.
The bail money raised is donated to a charity of choice, which this year is the British Red Cross. The funds raised collectively by all the participating livery Masters, over £40,000, will be of vital importance to the British Red Cross and its work around the world, especially given recent disasters in Libya and Morocco where the charity's support is ongoing.
The event is usually accompanied by a humorous reprimand from a Sheriff or Judge. Jim was released following the generosity of WCEC members and friends who collectively paid his bail of over £3,400.
City of London Sheriff, Andrew Marsden, raked about 20 Livery Masters over the coals before they were marched off to the Tower of London, accompanied by a Beefeater and fed a spartan lunch; not exactly dried bread, and gruel, but they used their imaginations.
The WCEC is delighted to add that Jim's bail constituted the largest contribution of all the Masters involved in the event, and thankful that his efforts and his influence raised such an impressive sum, for such a good cause.
Giving back is at the core of WCEC, and it does so through its Charitable Trust. The majority of members contribute to the Trust by way of a personal donation and it allocates approximately 4% of its capital annually to support various worthy causes. These range widely, from the promoting of education through scholarships and grants, community projects, offender rehabilitation support and more. The most recent initiative starting this year is a goal to help two people transition from life on the streets to a path of stability and personal growth. If you would like to know more about the WCEC's charitable giving and work, visit: https://wc-ec.com/charitable-trust/
The Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners is one of 110 Livery Companies which are based upon trades, industries and professions and carry on the ancient traditions of the Guilds and Livery Companies which started in the 12th century. Formed in 1972 as the Guild of Cleaners and subsequently known as the Guild of Master Cleaners, the Company was granted full Livery Status in 1986 as the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners, the 97th Livery Company of the City of London. HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh was an Honorary Freeman of the Company.
The Company aims to encourage and maintain high standards of practice and integrity while promoting and supporting education, training and research projects within the cleaning industry. Examples of its efforts to raise the industry can be seen in its achievement of a Royal Charter in 2010, and granting of its Charter of Registered Practitioners, in 2021.
If you would like to find out more about the Environmental Cleaners, or any of its initiatives or events, email:[email protected]
2nd November 2023