You can support SERV by making a donation or sponsoring us. Making a donation doesn't have to mean giving money to the charity, however, if you wish to you can make a donation online through JustGiving. Donations can also be made using the Gift Aid system (see below).

Donations are normally smaller denominations, but sometimes companies would rather become a sponsor. A sponsor normally either makes a financial donation of a larger denomination, or provides a service - within their area of business - and in return SERV will advertise and promote their business at shows, on products etc.

If you own or are part of a company, perhaps you could sponsor SERV by donating a service that your business normally offers; at a reduced rate, or free of charge. For example if you work for a company that produces safety equipment, you could donate refective tabbards for use by our riders, whilst on duty.

You could donate a sum of money, or become a sponsor for a specific purchase, such as, insulated blood bags or reflective jackets and SERV would have your company's name printed on them. Or you could always provide Corporate Sponsorship, which would ensure that SERV would have a regular amount each year.

Companies that have sponsored or donated to SERV can be seen on our sponsor page. Their generosity ranges from financial aid with website hosting, to very generous donations, and sponsorship of our own dedicated motorcycle.

Credit & Debit Card Donations

SERV has an online facility to make a donation through the JustGiving website. JustGiving allows you make a donation and have Gift Aid automatically reclaimed on your behalf. If you have a PayPal balance that you wish to donate to SERV then this can also be done via JustGiving - use the online donation form and select PayPal as the method of payment.

Gift Aid

As a registered charity SERV is able to take advantage of the Gift Aid facility, which is run by the UK government. Directly below you will find the forms necessary to apply for Gift Aid. Below the links to the application forms you will find a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) relating to Gift Aid.

Gift Aid FAQs

---

What is Gift Aid?

If you are a UK taxpayer, Gift Aid offers a simple way to increase the value of your gift to charity by allowing the charity to reclaim the tax on your gift.

---

How does Gift Aid work?

Charities take your donation (which is money you’ve already paid tax on), and then reclaim tax on its ‘gross’ equivalent (its value before tax was deducted) at the basic rate of 22 per cent.

In practice, this means that if you give £10 to charity using Gift Aid, that gift is worth £12.82 to the charity. This is because 22 per cent of £12.82 is £2.82 – your £10 being the difference.

The Gift Aid scheme is only for monetary gifts and there are rules limiting the value of benefits you can receive in return.

---

Who can use Gift Aid?

You can use Gift Aid if the amount of tax you have paid in any tax year (6 April one year to 5 April the next) is at least equal to the amount the charity is reclaiming on your behalf. You can calculate the amount of tax the charity will reclaim by multiplying the amount you give by 22/78.

So if, for example, you give £100 to a charity in a particular tax year, they will claim back 100 x 22/78 = £28.20. You need to have paid at least this amount of tax during the same tax year to be able to donate using Gift Aid.

Higher rate taxpayers: If you’re a higher rate taxpayer, you can claim the difference between the higher rate of tax at 40 per cent and the basic rate of tax at 22 per cent on the total value to the charity of your donation (the ‘gross donation’).

So, using the example above, you can reclaim higher rate relief of £23.08 (18 per cent of your gross donation of £128.20).

You make this claim on your Self Assessment tax return.

Non taxpayers: If you do not pay tax, you should not use Gift Aid.

---

How to make a donation using Gift Aid.

When you make a donation to charity, they will normally ask you to consider making your donation using Gift Aid. If you agree, they will give you a simple form (above) to complete declaring that you wish to make donations under Gift Aid.

You should complete a separate declaration form for each charity you wish to donate to, but one form can cover every gift made to the same charity.

---

What is a Gift Aid declaration?

It is simply a statement by an individual taxpayer that they want a charity to get back from the Inland Revenue the tax paid on their donation. This is a great way to add 28 per cent to the value of your gift to SERV without it costing you a penny more!

---

How do I know if I pay UK income or capital gains tax?

You pay these taxes if:

• income tax is taken from your wages or salary before you receive your pay
• you pay tax after filling in a self-assessment form each year
• you have any taxable savings (in a Building Society, for instance), or a pension plan, or investment income
• you have paid any capital gains tax, on the sale of a property or some shares, for instance

If any of these applies to you, please complete and return your declaration so SERV can reclaim the tax on your donations. Note; Inheritance tax does not count as UK income or capital gains tax.

---

Why does it work out at 28 pence for every pound given?

Although basic rate tax is currently 22 per cent, the donation for £1 is treated as the net after tax from £1.28 (£1.28 minus 22 per cent is approximately £1). SERV get back the 28 pence.

---

How long does the declaration last for?

The declaration wording normally covers present, future and past donations. We are able to claim on any gifts made since the Gift Aid scheme was revised on 6 April 2000, as long as you are eligible.

---

What should I do if my tax status changes or I want to cancel my declaration?

Please notify us in writing at:

SERV - 16 Farlington Avenue
HAYWARDS HEATH
RH16 3EY