Urgent Appeal for Support from the Jim Conway Foundation

The Jim Conway Foundation is a registered UK charity whose objects are to support democratic and pluralist civil societies throughout Europe. We believe that trade unions, community groups, women's organisations and other similar associations and NGOs are the foundation upon which democratic societies are based. We are dedicated, therefore, to an empowered and articulate civil society which has the capacity to promote its own interests and set its own agenda. The role of the JCF has been to support this process through training and education with local partners mainly in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The JCF does not impose any doctrine or ideology nor does it have any agenda beyond assisting our partners to develop an agreed range of techniques to better equip their members to set and achieve their own objectives in their own way.

The JCF is currently working with trades unionists in Belarus and has received requests to work with partners in Russia, Moldova, Azerbaijan and Romania. Unfortunately, the charity, which is 25 years old, is on the verge of closure due to severe financial difficulties and the probability is that this will happen within the next few weeks. We are facing the terrible prospect of not being able to complete our programme in Belarus and having to leave our other partners to fend for themselves. We genuinely believe that the struggle of the peoples of Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union for democracy, respect and an end to poverty are critical to the future of these countries and to the future of the continent of Europe. We believe that we owe the peoples of these countries the hand of friendship with no strings attached.

To enable the JCF to meet our moral and practical obligations to our partners and friends in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union we desperately need to raise funds in the region of £50,000. This will allow us continue to operate over the next few months. We are appealing to any organisation or individual who is able to assist to reply to this e-mail. Please do not send any money at this stage simply let us know that you are able to help. As a registered UK charity we have extremely strict rules concerning funding which means that any funds we raise that are raised for any specific purpose must, by law, be used for that purpose only. Evidence of our registration as a charity can be seen on the Charity Commission Register of Charities web site at: http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/cinprs/first.asp

When you reach the website you can choose the search by name option for the 'Jim Conway Memorial Foundation' our official title. If you have any questions about us or our work please e-mail us at briankelly@partners.u-net.com or telephone +44 (0)1642 613541 or +44 (0)117 939 5672 or fax +44 (0)1642 618408. All donations will be fully receipted and a report of the programme it has supported will be sent to you.

On behalf of the staff and trustees of the Jim Conway Foundation we thank you for your support. More importantly our friends and partners will also be grateful for your vital contribution. We know that funds are scarce everywhere and that there are many deserving causes but we guarantee any donations will directly benefit our partners in Central and Eastern Europe.

Brian Kelly DIRECTOR JCF