The importance of fundraising and thanks to those who kindly support our work

Despite it being an understandably difficult time for fundraising, in 2007 we were successful in raising £414,381 and provisional figures for 2008 show that we are set to improve on that performance. The vital elements of this was in continuing to develop relationships with our individual supporters, charitable trusts and companies.

We would like to thank wholeheartedly; the Drapers' Company in London that pledged to support the provision of emergency grants to our beneficiaries for three years; the Lord Austin Trust that made a generous contribution to assist our work in the West Midlands; the Swan Trust, which continued its support; the Ford Britain Trust; and the Lady Hind Trust that provided funding towards those people we support in Nottinghamshire and Norfolk.

In December 2007, we were so grateful to JP Morgan Cazenove, which agreed to support our outreach programme in the London Borough of Southwark based on the work of our Regional Development Officer there. We are proud to say the company has continue its generous partnership with us in 2008/09. This has resulted in vital financial support together with the benefits of the company's employee volunteering programme.

The Herbert & Peter Blagrave Trust and the John Ellerman Foundation have both been essential to the continued development of our voluntary services by kindly supporting our "Tackling Isolation and Loneliness" project.

We wish to offer our grateful thanks and appreciation to every trust and company who supports our work. In addition, we would like to thank all the many members of the public who kindly support our work in various ways such as making monthly contributions, attending our events, pledging to leave a legacy to UBS and by volunteering their time. Sadly, since 2007, four of our dear friends passed away and we were touched by the generosity and compassion shown by them by remembering UBS in their Wills.

With particular thanks to our corporate supporters, which include: