The Banks Lyon Memorial Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £104,940 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Quarterly decisions (January, April, July, October)
• Grant Range: £1 - £2,000 (individuals), £1 - £5,000 (organisations)
• Geographic Focus: Lancaster, Morecambe, Carnforth and surrounding rural areas (Lancaster City Council district)

Contact Details

Address:

Gary Rycroft (Clerk to the Trustees)

Joseph A Jones & Co Solicitors

6 Fenton Street

Lancaster, LA1 1TE

Phone: 01524 63371

Email: gary.rycroft@jajsolicitors.co.uk

Website: https://bankslyonmt.org

Twitter: @BLMemorialTrust

Charity Number: 1160678

Overview

The Banks Lyon Memorial Trust was established in 2003 by Dr Walter Lyon (1917-2003), a Lancaster-born doctor and psychiatrist who specialised in alcohol and drug misuse issues. Dr Lyon, who attended Lancaster Royal Grammar School and later owned Stanley Farm at Quernmore, was instrumental in establishing the Lancaster charity Inward House. The Trust was created from the proceeds of the farm's sale, which now forms its investment base generating approximately £20,000 annual income. With annual grant expenditure of £104,940 (2024), the Trust focuses on helping young people aged 16-25 who face social and/or financial barriers to accessing training and qualifications for employment. The Trust particularly emphasises trades education over traditional academic routes, reflecting Dr Lyon's belief that “he had had excellent educational opportunities and wanted to help local young people who were not so lucky.” Trustee Richard Bowker notes the Trust is “keen to enhance the visibility of the support available to those who could benefit most.”

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Grants: £1 - £2,000

• Supporting young people with training and qualification costs
• Vocational education and skills development
• Employment-related qualifications
• Rolling applications with quarterly deadlines

Organisational Grants: £1 - £5,000

• Projects supporting disadvantaged young people
• Educational programmes with clear employment pathways
• Community-based youth development initiatives
• Rolling applications with quarterly deadlines

Note: Grants above these limits may be considered in special circumstances.

Priority Areas

Target Beneficiaries:

• Young people aged 16-25 (primarily, though other ages considered)
• Residents of Lancaster, Morecambe, Carnforth and surrounding rural areas (Lancaster City Council district)
• Those facing social and/or financial barriers to education/training

Funding Focus:

• Trades education and vocational training
• Practical skills development leading to employment
• Training and qualifications with direct employment pathways
• Removing barriers to learning and opportunity
• Youth development projects with measurable outcomes

Recent Funded Projects Include:

• Lancaster and Morecambe College outdoor education programme (£5,000)
• Digital learning resources during COVID-19 lockdowns
• Apprentice hardship fund
• Connecting Kids creative resources programme
• Escape2Make youth provision (11-18 year olds)
• Lancaster Music Festival “Search For a Star” programme
• Individual midwifery training support
• ACE emotional health and wellbeing sessions
• The Dukes Theatre community company productions

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the Trust's focus on employment-related training for young people in the Lancaster district suggests they do not fund:

• Projects outside the Lancaster City Council area
• Academic education without clear vocational/employment outcomes
• Activities not benefiting young people facing barriers
• General operating costs unrelated to youth training
• International projects or work outside their geographic area

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Chair: Fiona Gordon (appointed 18 June 2018)

Also serves as trustee of The Galbraith Trust

Trustees:

• Kirstie Jean Banks-Lyon (appointed 18 June 2018) - Married to Dr Lyon's nephew; noted that Walter would “do cartwheels” to see how his gift helps “exactly those people in our local community” he would have supported
• Julia Susan Ruth Krier (appointed 18 June 2018)
• Richard Bowker (appointed 4 May 2020) - Active in promoting awareness of the Trust's work; emphasises supporting those facing “economic and social barriers”
• Rebecca Stevens (appointed 11 October 2022)
• Margaret Maria Dodd (appointed 23 October 2023)

Clerk to the Trustees:

Gary Rycroft, Joseph A Jones & Co Solicitors

The Trust maintains an up-to-date reporting schedule with the Charity Commission.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted through the Trust's website at https://bankslyonmt.org/apply/

For Individual Applicants:

• Complete the individual application form
• Obtain a letter from a referee
• Submit by the quarterly deadline

For Organisations:

• Complete the organisation application form
• Submit most recent Annual Report
• Include audited accounts
• Submit by the quarterly deadline

Submission Methods:

• Online via website
• Email to: gary.rycroft@jajsolicitors.co.uk
• Post to: Gary Rycroft, Joseph A Jones & Co Solicitors, 6 Fenton Street, Lancaster, LA1 1TE

Decision Timeline

Quarterly Trustee Meetings:

• January meeting - Applications by 31 December
• April meeting - Applications by 31 March
• July meeting - Applications by 30 June
• October meeting - Applications by 30 September

Decisions are made at these quarterly meetings. Applicants are notified following each meeting, though specific notification timelines are not publicly stated.

Success Rates

Success rate statistics are not publicly available. The Trust distributed £104,940 in grants during the year ending March 2024, from an income of £20,651 (drawing from invested capital to support its grant-making).

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy is not explicitly stated on public materials. Contact the Clerk to the Trustees for guidance on unsuccessful applications.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Dr Lyon's Vision

Applications should demonstrate clear alignment with the founder's emphasis on:

• Vocational and trades education over traditional academic paths
• Direct pathways to employment from training
• Supporting young people who lack opportunities Dr Lyon himself benefited from

As trustee Kirstie Banks-Lyon noted, the Trust aims to support “exactly those people in our local community” Dr Lyon would have helped during his lifetime.

Evidence of Barriers

Successful applications clearly articulate:

• Social and/or financial barriers facing beneficiaries
• Why support is needed to access training/qualifications
• How the grant removes specific obstacles to opportunity

Richard Bowker emphasises the Trust targets those facing “economic and social barriers.”

Clear Outcomes and Impact

The Trust values:

• Measurable impact on young people's opportunities
• Clear employment pathways from the supported training
• Practical skills development that leads to work
• Transformational outcomes (as described for Connecting Kids project)

Grant recipients must provide written feedback on outcomes, indicating the Trust's focus on demonstrable impact.

Strong Local Connections

Priority for:

• Lancaster City Council district residents (Lancaster, Morecambe, Carnforth and rural areas)
• Organisations operating locally with established community presence
• Projects serving the local community where Dr Lyon lived and worked

Practical and Realistic Plans

For organisational grants:

• Submit recent Annual Reports and audited accounts (demonstrates stability)
• Provide clear project plans with realistic outcomes
• Show value for money within the £1-5,000 range
• Demonstrate capacity to deliver and report on outcomes

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Emphasise vocational/trades education: Dr Lyon specifically valued practical training over academic education - applications should highlight skills development leading directly to employment
• Demonstrate clear barriers: Articulate specific social and/or financial obstacles preventing young people from accessing opportunities - vague references won't suffice
• Stay local: Geographic restrictions are strictly defined to Lancaster City Council district - ensure beneficiaries reside or projects operate within this area
• Plan around quarterly deadlines: With only four annual decision points, timing is crucial - submit well before deadline dates (31 Dec, 31 Mar, 30 Jun, 30 Sep)
• Show measurable impact: The Trust requires post-grant feedback and values “transformational” and “profound” impacts - build evaluation into your project from the start
• Be realistic about amounts: Individual grants max at £2,000, organisations at £5,000 (with rare exceptions) - scope your project accordingly
• Build relationships: Trustee Richard Bowker encourages spreading awareness of the Trust - engaging with their funded projects and community presence demonstrates commitment to their mission

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Francis C Scott Charitable Trust
• The David Snowdon Trust
• The Lytham Schools Foundation
• The Portishead Nautical Trust
• The Areti Charitable Trust
• DJ Sidebottom/Glasdon Charitable Programme
• ED De Nunzio Charitable Trust
• The Grantham Yorke Trust
• Walcot Educational Foundation
• IMPETUS - THE PRIVATE EQUITY FOUNDATION

References

1. The Banks Lyon Memorial Trust official website - https://bankslyonmt.org (accessed 28 January 2026)
2. The Banks Lyon Memorial Trust - Apply page - https://bankslyonmt.org/apply/ (accessed 28 January 2026)
3. The Banks Lyon Memorial Trust - About page - https://bankslyonmt.org/about/ (accessed 28 January 2026)
4. The Banks Lyon Memorial Trust - Projects page - https://bankslyonmt.org/projects/ (accessed 28 January 2026)
5. Charity Commission - The Banks Lyon Memorial Trust (1160678) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1160678 (accessed 28 January 2026)
6. Lancaster & Morecambe Chamber of Commerce - “Chamber Chat with Richard Bowker” - https://lancaster-chamber.org.uk/chamber-chat-with-richard-bowker-2/ (accessed 28 January 2026)
7. Lancaster and Morecambe College - “Banks Lyon Memorial Trust Funding Supports LMC Students with Outdoor Activities” - https://www.lmc.ac.uk/news/banks-lyon-memorial-trust-funding-supports-lmc-students-outdoor-activities (accessed 28 January 2026)
8. Lancaster and Morecambe College - “Banks Lyons Memorial Trust (BLMT) provides generous grant to support LMC learners” - https://www.lmc.ac.uk/news/banks-lyons-memorial-trust-blmt-provides-generous-grant-support-lmc-learners (accessed 28 January 2026)
9. Charity Choice - The Banks Lyon Memorial Trust - https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/the-banks-lyon-memorial-trust-245694 (accessed 28 January 2026)