APPROACHES TO TWO REGISTERED CHA

APPROACHES TO TWO REGISTERED CHARITIES TO ASSIST FOSTER A PROGRAMME FOR RECREATIONAL ROAD BICYCLE GROUPS TO "ADOPT A BLIND CYCLIST" WERE NOT MET WITH SUPPORT BY THOSE CHARITIES

(a) encouraging one of the tandem importers, Trek, Apollo or Cannondale, to drop their price for orders placed by RBS after the full cost of each tandem was deposited in a nominated RBS bank account (50% by the blind person and 50% from donations by 3rd parties); and

(b) RBS providing a tax deduction for donations from 3rd parties for half the cost of each tandem for each disabled blind cyclist with the blind person depositing the other 50% (without a tax deduction).

Phil followed-up with a few e-mails to Carol Ireland, GM Marketing RBS, over the subsequent weeks.

On 20 June 2005 Phil wrote to Pat Downie, Secretary, Blind Sports Assoc of NSW ("BSA NSW") [2 pgs plus attachments] providing a copy of his correspondence with RBS and asking for assistance with (a) and (b) above.

In early July 2005 Ms Downie explained to Phil Johnston that BSA NSW was not attracted to (a) above, in particular approaching Clarence Street Cyclery, importer of Trek, to offer a discounted price for orders for tandems for blind cyclists, because BSA NSW thought it may jeopardise existing sponsorship which Clarence Street Cyclery provides to a few members of BSA NSW. Phil Johnston asked Ms Downie to respond in writing explaining why BSA NSW could not assist his the cause he pursued. Ms Downie undertook to respond by letter, but never did. Phil wrote a follow-up letter to BSA NSW on 16 August 2005 [2 pgs] asking for a written response, but none has been forthcoming.

As noted under section 5.(1.) of Adopt a Blind Cyclist, in February this year, Allens Arthur Robinson provided me with some pro-bono legal advice re the ATO deeming donations by 3rd parties to disabled people eligible for a tax deduction. AAR informed the organisations listed below currently appear on the Australian Business Register as having been endorsed by the ATO as deductible gift recipients ie. the below charities can attract tax-deductible donations. According to information on the Register, they qualify for deductible gift recipient status because they are public benevolent institutions.

Below is a link to the Australian Business Register http://www.abr.business.gov.au/(eqtfg145tatld045tzis0zzn)/main.aspx in order to do some further searching.

After becoming aware that at least five charities for the blind had successfully obtained ATO permission to issue tax deductions for donations twds the cost of tandem bicycles, in April this year I e-mailed a few charities associated with the blind re Adopt a Blind Cyclist. Nick Jones (03) 8770 6800 Nick.Jones@VisionAustralia.org who does work for a few charities, including Vision Australia in Melbourne, e-mailed me on Monday, 3 April 2006 10:59 AM. Nick is presently assisting several blind cyclists on a programme in Melb.