The Hilary Awdry Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Charity Number: 1138813
• Annual Giving: Approximately £90,000-£150,000
• Grant Range: £500 - £5,000
• Decision Time: Up to 6 months (grants considered twice yearly)
• Geographic Focus: National (UK), with some preference for Wiltshire
• Application Type: Rolling written applications

Contact Details

Address: Wansbroughs Solicitors, Northgate House, Northgate Street, Devizes, SN10 1JX

Phone: 01380 733300

Email: anna.wensleystock@wansbroughs.com

Website: Information available via UK Charity Commission register (charity number 1138813)

Overview

The Hilary Awdry Charitable Trust was registered as a charity on 3 November 2010 and is based in Devizes, Wiltshire. The trust operates with the broad charitable purpose of pursuing “charitable purposes which are exclusively charitable according to the law of England and Wales,” specifically focusing its grant-making on four distinct areas: cancer research, hospices and palliative care, rescue services, and steam railways. With annual expenditure ranging from approximately £90,000 to £153,000 in recent years (£90,040 in 2024, £153,748 in 2025), the trust provides focused support to UK registered charities working within these specialized fields. The trust is managed by five trustees and maintains its administrative base through Wansbroughs Solicitors, a well-established Wiltshire law firm with a 142-year history.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates a single grant program with the following parameters:

• Grant Amount: £500 - £5,000 per award
• Application Method: Rolling basis - written applications accepted at any time
• Review Schedule: Grants are considered by trustees every 6 months

Priority Areas

The trust focuses exclusively on four specific cause areas:

1. Cancer Research: Supporting registered charities engaged in cancer research activities
2. Hospices and Palliative Care: Funding hospice organizations and palliative care services
3. Rescue Services: Supporting emergency rescue service organizations
4. Steam Railways: Preserving and supporting historic steam railway operations and heritage

Geographic Considerations

While the trust accepts applications from UK registered charities operating nationally or across the UK, there is a documented preference for supporting causes based in or serving Wiltshire.

What They Don't Fund

The trust only funds UK registered charities working within their four specified priority areas. Organizations working outside these areas (cancer research, hospices/palliative care, rescue services, or steam railways) are unlikely to be successful. Unregistered charities, individuals, and non-charitable organizations are not eligible.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The trust is governed by five trustees, none of whom receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity:

1. Anna Wensley Stock (appointed 29 April 2015) - Partner at Wansbroughs LLP and Co-Managing Partner of the firm since 2024. She is the first female Managing Partner in Wansbroughs' 142-year history. Anna specializes in Wills, Tax, Trusts & Probate and has over 20 years' experience in wealth protection for high-net-worth individuals. She acts as trustee for several personal, family, and charitable trusts, bringing significant expertise to the role. She trained at Clifford Chance and Farrer & Co before becoming Partner at Wansbroughs in 2009.

1. Alfred John Fortnam

1. Simon Patrick Fortnam

1. Rachel Louise Barton

1. Sara Elizabeth Heron

Governance Policies

The trust maintains robust governance with documented policies covering:

• Complaints handling
• Financial controls
• Risk management
• Conflicts of interest

The trust has no trading subsidiaries and does not own or lease land or property. All reporting is up to date with the Charity Commission.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications may be made in writing at any time - there are no fixed deadlines or closing dates. Written applications should be sent to:

Anna Wensley Stock

Wansbroughs Solicitors

Northgate House

Northgate Street

Devizes

SN10 1JX

Or via email: anna.wensleystock@wansbroughs.com

Or by phone: 01380 733300

Decision Timeline

• Review Frequency: Grants are considered by the trustees every 6 months
• Expected Timeline: Applicants should expect the decision process to take up to 6 months from submission, depending on when their application is received in relation to the trustee review schedule
• Notification Method: Not specified, but likely communicated via the contact details provided in the application

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, with annual expenditure of approximately £90,000-£150,000 and grant sizes ranging from £500-£5,000, the trust likely makes between 18-300 awards per year depending on individual grant amounts.

Reapplication Policy

No specific information is available about reapplication policies or waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants. Applicants may wish to inquire about this when submitting their application or following an unsuccessful outcome.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Priority Areas

Given the trust's very specific focus on four distinct cause areas, the most critical success factor is clear alignment with one of these priorities: cancer research, hospices and palliative care, rescue services, or steam railways. Applications should explicitly demonstrate how the organization's work fits within these parameters.

Geographic Considerations

While the trust accepts applications from charities operating nationally or across the UK, previous awards show a preference for supporting causes in Wiltshire. Local and regional Wiltshire organizations may have a competitive advantage, but this should not deter well-aligned national charities from applying.

Registered Charity Status

Only UK registered charities are eligible. Applications should include the charity registration number and demonstrate that the organization is in good standing with the Charity Commission.

Clear, Written Applications

As the trust accepts written applications without a formal application form or online portal, the quality and clarity of the written submission is crucial. Applications should:

• Clearly state the organization's charity registration number
• Explain how the organization's work aligns with one of the four priority areas
• Specify the grant amount requested (within the £500-£5,000 range)
• Describe the specific project or purpose for which funding is sought
• Demonstrate the impact and outcomes the grant would achieve

Timing Considerations

Since applications are reviewed every 6 months, applicants should submit well in advance of when funding is needed and should be prepared for a potentially lengthy decision timeline.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Specific Focus: Only apply if your charity works in cancer research, hospices/palliative care, rescue services, or steam railways - these are strict parameters
• Grant Size: Keep requests realistic within the £500-£5,000 range; consider what a smaller grant could meaningfully achieve
• Rolling Applications: There's no deadline pressure, but allow up to 6 months for a decision
• Written Quality Matters: With no formal application form, your written submission is your entire case - make it clear, compelling, and well-structured
• Wiltshire Connection: If you have any connection to Wiltshire (operations, beneficiaries, heritage), highlight this as it may strengthen your application
• Registered Charities Only: Ensure you include your UK charity registration number and that your organization is in good standing
• Professional Administration: The trust is administered through an established solicitors' firm, suggesting a professional and thorough review process

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• THE BASIL SAMUEL CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE ANDOR CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Dischma Charitable Trust
• The Thompson Family Charitable Trust
• Langdale Trust
• RJ AND AH DANIELS CHARITABLE TRUST
• J E POSNANSKY CHARITABLE TRUST
• Susanna Peake Charitable Trust
• The Hamilton Wallace Trust
• The Frank Litchfield General Charitable Trust

References

1. UK Charity Commission Register - The Hilary Awdry Charitable Trust (Charity Number 1138813). Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5013014/full-print []

1. Bath and North East Somerset Council - The Hilary Awdry Charitable Trust. Available at: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/86406 []

1. Wansbroughs LLP - Anna Wensley Stock profile. Available at: https://www.wansbroughs.com/our-people/anna-wensley-stock/ []

1. Find That Charity - The Hilary Awdry Charitable Trust (GB-CHC-1138813). Available at: https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-1138813 []

1. Wansbroughs LLP - Wansbroughs announces new leadership appointments. Available at: https://www.wansbroughs.com/news-events/wansbroughs-announces-new-leadership-appointments/ []