2009 AGM & Friends Gathering

Our 2009 AGM was held in the Exeter Guildhall on Wednesday 22nd July. It was attended by the Dream-A-Way team along the Lord Mayor of Exeter Councillor John Winterbottom and Lady Mayoress Winterbottom. A large number of our Friends and supporters were also in attendance.

         

 

Our Treasurer Tim Rea was unfortunately unable to attend the AGM, but prepared an excellent financial report which was presented to the attendees by our
Holidays Co-ordinator Graham Burch. The floor was opened to all for questions but there were none presented at the time.

The key highlights of our Treasurers report for the financial year of 2008 were as follows:
We provided our special clients with holidays to a value of more than £29,000 - up more than 90% on 2007!
An additional £8141 was spent on organised outings - up more than 87% on 2007!
We spent just £644 on expenses such as essential office supplies. This equates to less than 0.003% of our income for the year, and as such we are proud
to be able to continue to boast that we spend more than 99p in every £1 to help others!

Our total income for 2008 was an amazing £171,416. This was generated by the fabulous events that both Dream-A-Way and our superb supporters have held, along with donations and other income as detailed in our accounts. 

Our annual report and accounts can be viewed here.

 

Chairman Jeff Merrett MBE then presented a report detailing all of our achievements in 2008.
This included the first annual Dragon Boat Race Event in August, our Summer Ball and Holly Ball in association with the Express & Echo We Care Campaign.

Jeff then recognised the support of several of our freinds and supporters, including the Biddulph family from Torquay and the Montgomery family from Exeter, both of whom were presented with Ambassadors of Dream-A-Way awards.

         
Lord Mayor of Exeter Councillor Winterbottom presenting the Ambassadors award to the Biddulph family

Jeff also spoke of the work and support given by a small band of volunteers and helpers. Certificates of Appreciation were presented by the
Lord Mayor of Exeter, Councillor John Winterbottom to Shirley and Stuart Hyde, Anthony Burgess, Ted Money, Glen Wilson and Sharyn Brown.
The whole Dream-A-Way team would like to offer our sincere thanks to you all for supporting us and giving your valuable time and energy to help us provide even more Dream-A-Way holidays.

  

Ted Money receives his certificate of Appreciation from the Lord Mayor	Shirley and Stuart Hyde with the Lord Mayor

 

Dream-A-Way Ambassadors and Friends with the Lord Mayor and Chairman Jeff Merrett

After the AGM everyone was invited to attend a gathering at Timepiece nightclub in Exeter where a superb Hog Roast was enjoyed by all.
The Fab Beatles were in attendance to play a set to entertain the guests, and all who attended thoroughly enjoyed the evening.
The Hog Roast, Fab Beatles and Timepiece accommodation were kindly sponsored by George Sloan and Rob Skinner of Timepiece, who we pay special thanks to for putting on such excellent entertainment for our guests and their ongoing support.

The Fab Beatles play at Timepiece during our Friends gathering	A Hog Roast was generously provided at Timepiece

 

During the Friends gathering at Timepiece, the Lord Mayor presented a holiday award to Phil Day. Phil will be enjoying a holiday in Tenerife.
L-R: Gill Freeman, Lord Mayor Councillor Winterbottom, George Sloan of Timepiece, Phil Day (front), Jeff Merrett, Bob Beer

 

Timepiece owner George Sloan and his co-owner Rob Skinner are great supporters of Dream-A-Way, and regularly host events in support of Dream-A-Way.
George is also a member of our annual Ball Committee, and Timepiece have taken part in our Dragon Boat Challenges on Exeter Quay in 2008 and 2009.

During the event, Chairman Jeff Merrett paid thanks to George and team: "The support and friendship shown to us by George, Rob and the whole Timepiece team really does make a big difference. Through their support we are able to make contact with even more supporters and also people that we can help in return."

George Sloan (left) is thanked for his support and efforts by the Lord Mayor Councillor Winterbottom.

Special thanks to the Lord Mayor of Exeter Councillor John Winterbottom for hosting the AGM at the historic Guildhall;
to George Sloan and Rob Skinner of Timepiece Nightclub for the entertainment & Hog Roast;
and to Sharyn Brown of Brown Field Boyer Ltd for your support in preparing our accounts.

Your support really is appreciated.

Timepiece Website