Our history
The Trust is a UK-based charity which grew out of the Zambia Society, a friendship group formed in the late 1960s by people who had previously lived and worked in Zambia (formerly Northern Rhodesia).
The Trust was formed in 1991 at the suggestion of Vic Godfrey - then Treasurer of the Society - as it had accumulated reserves which could be used for "worthy causes" in Zambia. The Committee of the Society accepted the idea and agreed that funds should be transferred to a new trust to be created to promote its operations.
On 27th November 1991, 11 members of the Society met in London to consider a draft Constitution prepared by Geoffrey de Mornay Davies. This was approved by the Charity Commissioners and those present at the meeting became founder members of the Trust, and Mr. Davies was invited to become Chairman. The other members formed the Trust Committee, with Vic Godfrey as its Treasurer and Dick Hobson as Secretary.
The first 2 awards were made in April 1993 (to Harvest Help, an agricultural scheme on Lake Kariba, and to a quadriplegic assistant at St. Frances Hospital). Then a grant was made to the hospital when a lorry with medical supplies was stolen. They also provided funds to "Mama" Lilias Foulkner, an 80-year old lady who had formed an orphanage in Northwestern Province. Her friend, Mrs. Peggy Beck also set up the Seeds Project.
In 1995 Dick Hobson's Tales of Zambia, was printed and raised £11,000. In 1998 Dr. Jessie Ridge provided the Ridge Bursary to help train Zambian doctors and health workers. Every year Frank McGovern runs an annual golf day and is now raising about £5,000 each time for specific orphan projects. Peter Foulkes gave valuable service for years as Secretary of the Trust and Maggie Currey took over the "News from Zambia" and "Spotlight".