Imperial charity summer season in full swing

THE Trustees of Imperial Charity say they are delighted to be able to announce that, following a difficult time over the past few years due to Covid restrictions, the charity is now back on track and is able to fully fulfil their charitable activities again.  

“The coach trips are in full swing with two trips already completed to Henley-on-Thames and Barry Island, both of which were well supported and a further five scheduled to happen over the next few months,” said Bob Summerfield, the charity’s business manager. “We have also recently donated over £800 to the Trowbridge based special needs focused school, Stepping Stones. 

“With care and nursing homes slowly starting to open to visitors, our little band of entertainers are also getting busier throughout the county providing good quality entertainment to the residents. 

“One aspect that we have been able to do throughout is to support our special needs schools by giving them grants for a range of activities and specialised playground equipment that ordinarily they would not be able to afford to get for the children. Our latest grant was to Stepping Stones in Trowbridge to allow them to upgrade and purchase essential new computer equipment.” 

Shortage of volunteers and fly tipping

Like all other charities, Bob said they are suffering from an acute shortage of volunteers which obviously affects the output of the shops and restricts income. It is to be hoped that in time people will be feel more confident to come out and mix more and enjoy a companionable environment while making an important contribution to the charity. 

Bob continued, “Sadly one of the demoralising and financial drains on the charity is the blight of fly tipping which is happening with increasing frequency. Staff are coming in to work to be greeted by a veritable mountain of rubbish that totally thoughtless people are leaving outside the shops in the guise of donations after normal opening hours.” 

Despite notices in the window asking people not to leave anything outside after hours, Bob says they are routinely ignored.  

Bob added, “The annoying aspect of this thoughtlessness is the fact that the culprits know its rubbish and know it would be rejected if brought in during normal hours. 

“The end result of this thoughtlessness is the charity must pay to dispose of other people’s rubbish which reduces funds available for the good causes that the charity endeavors to carry out. It has got so out hand that the CCTV control centre and the local police have had to be involved to catch the culprits.”

Pictured: Bob Summerfield, the Business Manager presenting the cheque to Stepping Stones.