The Ralph And Irma Sperring Charity

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £406,014 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Quarterly meetings (applications reviewed 4 times per year)
• Grant Range: £50 - £5,000
• Geographic Focus: Within 5 miles of St John the Baptist Church, Midsomer Norton, Somerset

Contact Details

Website: www.thesperringcharity.co.uk

Email: lablett@th-law.co.uk

Phone: 01761 409316

Address: Thatcher & Hallam, Island House, The Island, Midsomer Norton, Radstock, BA3 2HJ

Clerk to the Trustees: Laura Ablett, Partner at Thatcher + Hallam Solicitors

Overview

The Ralph and Irma Sperring Charity was established in 1990 following the death of Ralph Sperring in 1989 at age 81. Ralph was a local carpenter and builder who, with his sister Irma (who died in 1978), owned several properties in Midsomer Norton. Described as living modestly despite his wealth, Ralph left his entire estate in trust to benefit the community he loved. The charity was formally registered in July 1995 as a charitable company (Company Number: 03028105, Charity Number: 1048101). Since its founding, the charity has supported hundreds of local individuals and organizations with grants. In 2024, the charity distributed £406,014 with total income of £280,014. The charity operates with 9 trustees and 9 volunteers, with no trustees receiving remuneration. The charity's primary activity is grant-making for the general benefit of inhabitants within a defined geographic radius of Midsomer Norton.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grants Programme: £50 - £5,000

• Rolling application basis with quarterly trustee meetings
• One grant per applicant per year
• Applications accepted from individuals, community groups, schools, clubs, and charitable organizations
• Application form available for download from the charity's website

Priority Areas

The charity accepts applications for any charitable purpose that benefits inhabitants within 5 miles of St John the Baptist Church, Midsomer Norton. Examples of funded projects include:

• Education: Sports kit for schools, library equipment, educational stages
• Youth Development: Duke of Edinburgh Awards support
• Community Infrastructure: Church roof repairs, community facility improvements
• Sports and Recreation: Tennis club equipment
• Social Services: Support for individuals in need, disability support services (e.g., Conductive Education Bristol received over £700 for rent)

The charity helps children, young people, elderly persons, people with disabilities, and other charities/voluntary bodies.

What They Don't Fund

No specific exclusions are publicly documented. The main restrictions are:

• Geographic limitation: Must be within 5-mile radius of St John the Baptist Church, Midsomer Norton
• Frequency restriction: Only one grant per applicant per year

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (9 members):

1. George Harald Hilding Persson
2. Laura Anne Ablett (also serves as Clerk to the Trustees)
3. Clive Edward James Allen
4. Catherine Bushill
5. David Charles Harvey
6. Dr. John Patrick Nelson Haxell
7. Heather Ann Mitchell
8. Patricia Ruth Needham
9. William Arthur Weller

Administrative Support: Thatcher + Hallam Solicitors acts as the charity's administrators. Laura Ablett, a Partner in the Wills and Probate team at Thatcher + Hallam, serves as Clerk to the Trustees.

The charity maintains robust governance policies including complaints procedures, financial controls, risk management, safeguarding, and serious incident reporting. The charity consistently submits annual returns on time to the Charity Commission.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Submit the completed form to the charity (contact details provided on website)
2. Applications are considered at quarterly trustee meetings

The application process is described as straightforward and accessible.

Decision Timeline

• Meeting Frequency: Trustees meet four times per year (quarterly)
• Application Deadlines: Rolling basis - applications accepted throughout the year
• Decision Timeframe: Applications are reviewed at the next quarterly meeting after submission
• Notification: Applicants are informed of decisions following trustee meetings

Based on historical information from 2022, quarterly meetings were scheduled around April, August, September, and November, though specific dates may vary year to year.

Success Rates

Specific success rate statistics are not publicly available. However, the charity has supported “hundreds of local people” with grants since 1990, demonstrating an active and ongoing grant-making programme.

Reapplication Policy

Restriction: Only one grant can be made to each applicant each year.

Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent years, but successful applicants must wait at least one year before reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Based on the charity's documented approach and statements from administrators:

1. Geographic Eligibility is Critical: Ensure your organization or project is definitively within the 5-mile radius of St John the Baptist Church, Midsomer Norton. This is a strict requirement.

1. Community Benefit Focus: The charity emphasizes supporting projects that benefit the local community. Applications should clearly articulate how the grant will help local inhabitants.

1. Broad Consideration: According to Thatcher + Hallam, “The Sperring Charity will listen to and consider applicants who require a helping hand.” This suggests the trustees take an open-minded, case-by-case approach rather than strict programmatic criteria.

1. Range of Support: Past grants demonstrate the charity funds both capital projects (equipment, building repairs) and program support (Duke of Edinburgh Awards, service delivery). Both types of applications are viable.

1. Scale Matters: With grants ranging from £50 to £5,000, the charity supports both small and medium-sized requests. Tailor your request to actual need rather than requesting the maximum amount.

1. Diverse Beneficiaries: The charity has funded educational institutions, faith organizations, youth programs, sports clubs, and social service providers. Applications from various types of organizations are welcomed.

1. Individual Applications Accepted: Unlike many trusts, this charity accepts applications from individuals in need, not just organizations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Local Legacy Focus: This charity exists to benefit the community Ralph Sperring loved - emphasize your local roots and community impact in Midsomer Norton and surrounding areas
• One Chance Per Year: With only one grant allowed per applicant annually, make your application count - be thorough and clear about your need
• Quarterly Decision Cycle: Plan ahead for the quarterly meeting schedule; don't expect rapid turnaround times
• Modest but Flexible Funding: Grants typically range £50-£5,000, suitable for smaller projects or targeted support rather than major capital campaigns
• Simple Process: The charity values accessibility - the application form is straightforward and available online
• Broad Charitable Purposes: The charity doesn't appear to have narrow thematic restrictions; demonstrate clear community benefit within the geographic area
• Personal Touch: Administered by a local law firm with longstanding community connections; the charity maintains Ralph Sperring's ethos of supporting the community he knew and loved

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Sir John and Lady Heathcoat Amory's Charitable Trust
• THE NORMAN FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Nani Huyu Charitable Trust
• The Portishead Nautical Trust
• The Brownsword Charitable Foundation
• The Roper Family Charitable Trust
• The Elmgrant Trust
• THE VERDON-SMITH FAMILY CHARITABLE SETTLEMENT
• The Pople Charitable Trust
• Quartet Community Foundation

References

1. The Charity Commission Register - The Ralph and Irma Sperring Charity (1048101), https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/1048101/full-print

1. Companies House - The Ralph & Irma Sperring Charity (03028105), https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/03028105

1. The Sperring Charity Official Website, www.thesperringcharity.co.uk

1. Thatcher + Hallam Solicitors, “The Sperring Charity: How Grants Benefit Local Clubs, Organisations and the People of Midsomer Norton,”, https://th-law.co.uk/the-sperring-charity-how-grants-benefit-local-clubs-organisations-and-the-people-of-midsomer-norton/

1. Thatcher + Hallam Solicitors, “Community + Charity: The Sperring Trust,” September 2024, https://th-law.co.uk/community-charity-the-sperring-trust/

1. Bath and North East Somerset Council, “The Sperring Charity,”, https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/87748

1. Thatcher + Hallam Solicitors, "Local Midsomer Norton charity 'The Sperring Charity' seeks applications for funding,", https://th-law.co.uk/sperring-charity-funding-available-in-midsomer-norton/