Where it all began...

In 1924 during the days of silent movies, it became clear that many workers in the Cinema Industry would fall on hard times and something positive needed to be done. And so, the Cinematograph Trade Benevolent Fund, as it was known then (television was just a dream in those days), was founded.

Thanks to pioneers such as Sir William Jury, President of the later known MGM, support poured in from all sides of an ever expanding industry, and the charity began to grow.

A highlight in the Fund's history was in 1934 when the Prince of Wales started the Royal tradition by becoming the Fund's first patron. The first Royal Command Film Performance premiered 'A Matter of Life and Death' in 1946. Since then, the Fund is grateful to film distributors, who have given some of their best films to help raise money for the Fund's work.

In 1952 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second became Patron of the Fund and when it was re-constituted in 1964 to include the fast emerging commercial television industry, Her Majesty most graciously signified her pleasure in continuing as Patron of the Cinema & Television Benevolent Fund.

Over 80 years on and the CTBF now spends around £1.3 million a year 'Providing Care Behind the Cameras' to workers of the British film, cinema, commercial television, cable and satellite industries.

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