Trustees Report 2012/13

TRUSTEES REPORT 2012/2013
2012/2113 has most definitely not been the second year that we planned for Smiles. Grace’s illness devastated us all and the further set-back at the beginning of the year simply added to the heartache.
The second walk in July, to be followed by Grace carrying the Olympic torch a couple of weeks later were to be the highlights.
As it turned out Grace was in intensive care in Great Ormond Street when the walk took place and Karen carried the torch, very emotionally, on Grace’s behalf. Smiles and Grace got wonderful column inches for all the wrong reasons.
The support for Grace and Smiles has been fantastic, with £13,500 raised during the year. The 100 plus who faced the elements and completed the walk were just brilliant; a special thanks to Mark Jessop and Margaretta Al Shawk who took up the reins at such short notice…All we need to find out is what happened to the100 bottles of water that Waitrose insisted that they left on the doorstep?
Throughout the year we have had a constant flood of donations, not only from the walk but from a variety of events and collections. Although some of the individual sponsorships from the walk were quite staggering. Chigwell School, Woodford Green Prep and Daiglen School all gave Smiles tremendous support. The Tillbrooks’ selling their unwanted toys was appreciated. Sammy across in Reading persuading her year group to support Smiles was special and the Smiles Gymkhana in the West Country a wonderful effort. All we can say is a big thank you to everyone!
Other activity has had to be, understandably, put on the back burner. We have in excess of £19,000 in the bank account and would welcome suggestions from anyone of worthwhile causes.
Smiles will continue and we hope for a happier future.
Peter Boxall – Trustee – May 2013