Welcome to the Maple Leaf Trust

About the Trust

The Maple Leaf Trust is the premier charity of the Canadian community in the United Kingdom. The Maple Leaf Trust raises monies to fund scholarships for Canadian graduate students studying in the UK and to provide financial assistance for Canadian WWII veterans living in this country.

The Maple Leaf Trust supports two key causes:

The Veteran's Support Committee (VSC)

The Veterans' Support Committee (VSC) was established after the Second World War to help needy Canadian servicemen from both World Wars who took their discharge in the UK and who still live here. These veterans are ineligible for Canadian pensions and many find themselves in very difficult circumstances.

For sixty years, The VSC has provided practical and social assistance to a number of these veterans and their wives - or widows.

In 2007, the VSC has 60 families on its list. Each family receives a small monthly stipend plus special amounts on Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving and on the veteran's birthday.

The VSC provides a lifeline for these veterans, many of whose circumstances are very difficult. For some, the money is used for necessary comforts - to pay the heating bills, to buy fresh instead of packaged food, to buy new nightclothes for a hospital stay.

The emotional support is just as important. For some elderly veterans, the birthday or Christmas card from the VSC is the only one they receive.

Your donation will allow the VSC to continue to help these needy Canadian veterans in their final years.

The Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund (CCSF)

The Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund (CCSF) was initiated in 1967, Canada's Centennial year.

Since that time, it has awarded over 320 scholarships to outstanding students from across Canada already studying in a variety of disciplines at universities and colleges across Britain. The scholarships are among the most prestigious and most sought-after for Canadians studying in the UK.

In 2007, the CCSF celebrated its 40th year of awarding scholarships by offering 20 scholarships ranging between £500 and £3000. In 2008, a total of £28,000 was offered to 14 scholars, ranging between £1,500 and £3,000. Dawn Dodds of New Brunswick was named as the winner of the Mary LeMessurier Award for History with Christian Elliott of Ontario named as the first scholar to be awarded the Belle Shenkman Award for the Arts.

The scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence, as well as on the ability of the recipient to represent Canada as an ambassador in the academic and artistic community within the UK. For 2008-2009, awards have been made to Canadians studying a range of subjects, from '19th century French history' to 'Drinking water treatment and management in developing countries'. Some of these students will undoubtedly become Canada's representatives on the world-stage in years to come.

Please visit the CCSF website for further information: www.canadianscholarshipfund.co.uk

Christian Elliott
CCSF Scholar, awarded the Belle Shenkman Award for the Arts

Quotes from CCSF scholars

"It is a great honour to receive this award. I realise the funds have been raised through the hard work of many Canadians and it is a privilege to be able to benefit from them."

"Returning to studies as a mature student filled me with apprehension, but as my medical course unfolds I am convinced that this it is no longer an unattainable goal. My ambition is made stronger with the belief that you have in me."

"This award will allow me to work with Canadian researchers in Canada, to make important connections with Canadians which will facilitate the transition back for future employment in Canada."

"I gratefully accept this award for the second year. Those who rely on CCSF assistance to continue their studies feel very strongly about the generosity of the Maple Leaf Trust. It is heart-warming to be recognised by a Canadian group and have support from my country."

"I become more and more aware of the great good fortune that is mine as a Canadian citizen. To hold this award is proof not only of the support of the Canadian Community in the UK, but also of the sense of community that our country is able to inspire in those who have left it."

"I think of myself of a fortunate person who knows what he wants to do in life and has gone after it. Your award will go to buying tools, wood and many different finishing materials. And as well will help pay for my work placement in Holland restoring violins and cellos. I can't express my gratitude enough."