BOB Summerfield, the business manager at the Imperial Charity, has reflected on what has been a successful year for the charity as the charity took over 1,000 people to their popular monthly seaside excursions as well as funding grants worth £12,000 for special needs schools.
Bob said, “As 2022 comes to a close we have looked back at what the charity has achieved and experienced this past calendar year. It has been our first full year of trading and carrying out our charitable activities since enduring the rigors of Covid lockdowns and other restrictions imposed upon us.
“Our trustees, members of staff and volunteers all deserve congratulating on their efforts on getting us back on the road to where we want to be. A special mention must be made to our little band of volunteers without whom we just couldn’t function. They work so hard and are so loyal it is a pleasure to work with them. Like all charities we always need more volunteers to share the workload and would welcome new volunteers with open arms.
“Our coach trip programme was extremely successful this year with monthly trips being run from April to October. Each month three coaches were provided by the charity to take people to various places, predominantly seaside resorts for a day out. All trips were fully subscribed and, in some cases, oversubscribed which was very gratifying. Overall, this meant a total of 1,100 happy trippers were given a day out.
“It is anticipated that the trustees will approve another season of trips for 2023. The full itinerary will be published in the White Horse News and Warminster Journal when destinations are finalised. The cost of these trips which was some £9,500 was financed entirely from the profits from our two local shops and gift aid.
“Similarly, the charity was also able to fund grants totalling some £12,000 to special needs schools that requested help for a variety of projects and the purchase of specialised equipment that benefited the pupils. Within this total were grants to Westbury Shed and several grants to individuals who were in desperate need.
“Finally, the organising and financing of entertainment in care and nursing homes within Wiltshire continues to go from strength to strength. The charity has a small group of entertainers that consist of a song and dance duo, country and western singer, guitarist/vocalist, Irish folk singer/accordionist, vocalist/accordionist and finally a jazz/blues singer who also plays trumpet. These wonderful people, all very professional, travel many miles to entertain the residents of these establishments on behalf of the charity. The feedback we get from the homes is that these sessions are not only enjoyed by their residents but they are also very beneficial to their well-being. This year we have completed a total of 106 sessions at a cost to the charity of £7,500.
“These activities are only made possible by the continued exceptional generosity of all the people who donate their unwanted items to us and in turn the support of the local community who regularly use our shops and purchase the donated items for which we are all so very grateful. We must also make mention of the generosity of those people who make regular cash donations to us, it all makes such a difference. Without this all-round support the charity would not be able to survive and provide the little extras that hopefully brighten people’s lives for a while.
“The trustees, staff and volunteers of Imperial Charity thank everyone for their continued support and wish you all a safe and good New Year.”
