London branch thrown out of Lighthouse Club

The London branch of construction industry charity the Lighthouse Club has been thrown out of the organisation after failing to enter into an affiliation agreement.

A Lighthouse Club statement said: “As part of our modernisation programme and to ensure compliance with relevant charities legislation, the charity has put in place affiliation agreements between the charity and the regional Lighthouse Clubs.

“However, the London Lighthouse Club has declined to enter into the affiliation agreement. In the circumstances, the charity has decided to cease all association with the London Lighthouse Club. Accordingly, the London Lighthouse Club have been informed that they cannot use the Lighthouse Club name, they are no longer authorised to raise funds for the charity and that the charity will not accept donations from them going forward. The charity will shortly be announcing a series of activities to strengthen its links with the London Construction Community which it greatly values.”

John Griffin, chairman of the London Lighthouse Club, claimed that the branch had raised over £500,000 for the charity over the last five years and described it as the charity’s “biggest fundraiser”.

He added: "It is with a heavy heart that Lighthouse Club London notes LCIC’s decision not to continue discussions and its decision to refuse any future donations from London. However, undeterred in its aim, Lighthouse Club London will continue to support the construction industry, as it has done for more than 50 years, by organising networking events and donating funds to charities and good causes."

Lighthouse Club London's Christmas lunch event will take place as normal on 5 December.

In the past 25 years, the Lighthouse Club has given £11 million to 12,000 individuals or families of those within the construction industry who are unable to work through accident, illness or injury.