Society Donation Appeal

Throughout the years, the British Interplanetary Society has been dependent upon the support of its members for its survival and from time to time it has been necessary to make an appeal for specific purposes, such as the Development Fund or Equipment Appeals.

Such support has allowed the Society to continue in its objective of promoting astronautics in the UK and worldwide. I would like to take this opportunity here to thank all those who have previously contributed in any way.

Unfortunately, the Society faces another crisis. While it was an outstanding technical and social success, the 2008 International Astronautical Congress in Glasgow has not left the Society in a healthy financial position.

The main reason for this was that initial advice obtained from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs regarding VAT liability was not accurate and the Society is now faced with an unexpected and substantial VAT bill.

Needless to say, we are not letting it rest there and are appealing to friends in high places to plead our case. However, a recent similar case indicates that any petition against payment is unlikely to be successful.

This will leave the Society in a difficult financial position. The investment the Society was expecting to support capital expenditure (building repair, re-modelling of facilities etc) will not be forthcoming from the proceeds of the Congress.

I am therefore asking Members of the Society for additional voluntary donations to our funds to allow us to continue our work and the services we provide to our Members. We need immediate help if we are to survive 2009 without severely curtailing our activities.

I therefore appeal to you all once again for donations, no matter how small, to allow us to continue to promote all aspects of space and the importance of the use and exploration of space for the furtherance, and preservation, of life on Earth.

If you would like to be specific in how your contribution is to be used, please let us know and we will endeavour to meet your wishes.

May I thank you once again for your support to our appeals in past years and look forward to your continued assistance.

John Harlow
President
The British Interplanetary Society

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