The Paul Strank Charitable Trust

Charity Number: 1167085

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £237,869 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not specified (case-by-case assessment)
  • Grant Range: Under £10,000 - £50,000
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide with preference for Merton and Wimbledon, London

Contact Details

Address: Paul Strank Roofing, 22-22a Weir Road, Wimbledon, London SW19 8UG

Phone: 020 8944 6010

Email: admin@paulstrankroofing.co.uk (via Paul Strank Roofing)

Website: No dedicated website; information available via paulstrankroofing.co.uk/paul-strank-charitable-trust

Charity Number: 1167085

Overview

The Paul Strank Charitable Trust was registered on 13 May 2016 as a family-based grant-making trust with close ties to Paul Strank Roofing Ltd, which operates from Wimbledon. With total income of £225,004 and expenditure of £237,869 in the 2024 financial year, the Trust is led by three trustees: Paul Strank MBE, Irene Strank, and Thomas Price. The Trust's mission is to support disadvantaged families, with a particular focus on alleviating poverty, illness, or other hardship for children and young people. Paul and Irene Strank have been raising money for numerous causes over the years using their roofing business as a platform, helping thousands of people in and around South London and the wider UK. The Trust operates through a combination of direct grant-making, fundraising events including annual Charity Galas and Summer Parties, and long-term partnerships with chosen charities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates with two funding bands:

  • Small Grants: Under £10,000
  • Larger Grants: £10,000 to £50,000

Grants are made on a rolling basis with no specific closing dates, and applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Priority Areas

Primary Focus:

  • Young people and children in need
  • Relief of poverty, hardship, sickness, handicap, and distress amongst disadvantaged persons
  • Families facing illness or hardship
  • Grassroots community groups and small-to-medium-sized voluntary organisations

Geographic Preference:

  • Strong preference for causes in the London Borough of Merton and Wimbledon areas
  • Will fund across the UK for appropriate causes

Types of Support:

  • Equipment and resources for charitable organizations (e.g., medical equipment for hospices)
  • Support for children's welfare and family support services
  • Local community initiatives and grassroots projects

Long-term Charitable Partners:

  • Shooting Star Children's Hospices (primary cause)
  • AFC Wimbledon Foundation
  • Croygas Pirates Mixed Pan Disability Youth Football Team
  • Children in Need

What They Don't Fund

  • Areas with government statutory responsibility (typically not funded)
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

  • Paul Strank MBE - Founder and Trustee; founder of Paul Strank Roofing Ltd
  • Irene Strank - Co-founder and Trustee
  • Thomas Price - Trustee

The Trust operates with 3 trustees and 4 volunteers, with no paid employees. No trustees receive remuneration or payments from the charity.

Paul and Irene Strank have used their business, Paul Strank Roofing, as a springboard for charitable work, raising money for numerous causes over many years. The Trust benefits from celebrity patrons including Shaun Williamson and Christopher Biggins, who have supported fundraising events.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Trust accepts written applications from organizations across the UK, with preference given to those in the London Borough of Merton and wider London area.

Application Method:

  • Submit written applications to the registered address: Paul Strank Roofing, 22-22a Weir Road, Wimbledon, London SW19 8UG
  • Phone inquiries: 020 8944 6010
  • Email contact: admin@paulstrankroofing.co.uk (via the roofing company)
  • Contact form available via the Paul Strank Roofing website

Who Can Apply:

  • UK registered charities
  • Individuals (assessed case-by-case)
  • Grassroots community groups
  • Small-to-medium-sized voluntary organisations

Application Process:

  • No specific application form is publicly available
  • No dedicated website for the Trust
  • Further information can be obtained from the Charity Commission website or by contacting the Trust directly

Decision Timeline

Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis. There are no fixed deadlines or decision dates specified. The Trust operates on a rolling application system.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No information is publicly available regarding reapplication policies or waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Based on available information about the Trust's activities and priorities:

Strong Alignment Factors:

  • Geographic focus: Projects based in or serving the Merton and Wimbledon areas of London have a clear advantage, though UK-wide applications are considered
  • Organizational size: The Trust explicitly states they are “especially keen to help grassroots community groups and small-to-medium-sized voluntary organisations,” suggesting smaller organizations may be prioritized
  • Cause area: Projects supporting children, young people, and families facing poverty, illness, or hardship align directly with stated priorities
  • Partnership potential: The Trust maintains long-term relationships with chosen charities, suggesting they value ongoing partnerships over one-off grants

Evidence from Their Funding:

  • Support for Shooting Star Children's Hospice included funding for specific equipment: portable oxygen machines, cuddle cots, and cold blankets
  • This demonstrates they fund practical, tangible resources that directly impact service delivery
  • Their annual Christmas visits to Shooting Star Hospice show they value relationship-building and hands-on engagement

Application Approach:

  • Given the family-based nature of the Trust and its connection to the roofing business, applications should be clear, straightforward, and demonstrate direct impact
  • The Trust operates without a dedicated website or formal application system, suggesting they prefer personal, direct communication
  • Demonstrating how your work addresses poverty, illness, or hardship for children and families is essential

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic targeting matters: While they fund UK-wide, they have a clear preference for Merton and Wimbledon areas - local organizations should emphasize their geographic connection
  • Size advantage for smaller groups: Explicitly state they are “especially keen” to help grassroots and small-to-medium organizations, potentially offering better odds than larger national charities
  • Equipment and practical support: Evidence suggests they fund tangible resources (medical equipment, essential items) rather than just operational costs
  • Relationship-oriented: Long-term partnerships with organizations like Shooting Star Hospice suggest they value ongoing relationships over transactional grant-making
  • Family foundation ethos: As a family-based trust connected to a local business, they likely appreciate personal stories and direct community impact over corporate-style applications
  • Written applications only: No online portal or formal application form - prepare a compelling written case and be prepared to follow up by phone
  • Flexible decision-making: Case-by-case assessment and rolling applications mean there's no single deadline pressure, but also no predictable decision timeline

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