The Ambulance Services Benevolent Fund has changed its name to the Ambulance Services Charity, as it expands to become a national charity after receiving government funding from Libor fines.

According to a spokeswoman from the charity, the reason behind the expansion is to provide a truly national support service for serving and retired paramedics as well as their families.  

Lorna Birse-Stewart is the chief executive with the Ambulance Services Charity (TASC), which has four full-time members of staff and is based in Coventry.

She said that this new umbrella body would provide important support for ambulance staff across the United Kingdom. “There are around 70,000 people working in the UK Ambulance Services across a wide range of sectors whether it be front line emergency services, call handling centres, patient transport or other areas of service.

“They are extremely committed and dedicated professionals, with each making an invaluable contribution to society, and all deserving of our support.”

In recent years the ASBF merged with two smaller charities: Amcare UK and the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Ambulance Benevolent Fund.

For the year ending 2014 the charity's accounts showed it had an income of £35,087.  

Six former trustees from the Ambulance Services Benevolent Fund have agreed to serve on the board of TASC. Four trustee positions on the TASC board are open and will be advertised for shortly.

According to a spokeswoman from the charity, the reason behind the expansion is to provide a truly national support service for serving and retired paramedics as well as their families. 

In 2014 Beds and Herts ABF merged with ASBF, as it had repeatedly failed to file its accounts with the Charity Commission and was removed from the register. Nobody involved with the charity has since joined TASC in any capacity.

Just over ten years' ago, Amcare UK ceased trading and passed on its funds to the ASBF. Amcare UK was first set up to co-ordinate and oversee the UK local Ambulance Retirement Associations.