Official Naming and Opening of our new caravan "Charlie Thomas"
Saturday 9th May 2009, and a close group of committee, friends and supporters of Dream-A-Way were gathering at Devon Cliffs Holiday Park, Sandy Bay, Exmouth awaiting the arrival of Dream-A-Way Trustee Charlie Thomas.
For this was to be the official opening ceremony of our seventh luxury holiday home, named in honour of Charlie.
Unbeknownst to Charlie through a lot of secrecy involving as few people as possible - but with the superb discretion of Charlie's partner Edie - we had arranged for Charlie to be chauffeured in style to the venue, via the support of a local Limousine company. Stuart Blundell and Hollywood Limos of Woodbury near Exeter very kindly offered their services for free, in recognition of Charlie's efforts over the past sixteen years as a trustee, and one of three founding members of Dream-A-Way still with the charity.
The limo arrived at Charlie's house in Heavitree, Exeter and despite some initial confusion in which Charlie attempted to turn his chauffeur away(!) he was eventually convinced that the ride was in fact for him, and that it was a well deserved treat to start the day in style!
Click on any of the images in this page to view the full-size version
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| "Sorry sir, I think you've got the wrong house" | Charlie and Edie set off in style, heading for Devon Cliffs Holiday Park |
Charlie travelled to Devon Cliffs in a white 8-seater limo with partner
Edie and members of the Dream-A-Way team. Upon arrival at the holiday park
Charlie was delivered right to the location of our latest new-for-2009
luxury holiday caravan, the Solstice model made by Willerby, where he was greeted by his
friends, family and the Dream-A-Way team.
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| Charlie is greeted upon arrival by Dream-A-Way Chairman Jeff Merrett | Dream-A-Way Patron Sir John Evans congratulates Charlie on his success |
After speeches from Dream-A-Way Chairman Jeff Merrett MBE and our Patron
Sir John Evans,
Charlie said a few words of thanks himself and proceeded to name our
seventh luxury holiday caravan "Charlie Thomas", and officially declare it
open!
Guests steadily poured into the caravan to inspect the layout and
facilities and all were very impressed.
With three bedrooms - two twins and a double plus a double sofa bed, the
Solstice can sleep up to eight people in total comfort.
It has a fully fitted kitchen with cooker, fridge and microwave etc,
lounge and dining area, TV (with Freeview), DVD player and a host of other
features.
All our caravans are also fitted with smoke and Co2 alarms and fire
extinguishers.
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| After taking the time to welcome and thank everyone personally, Charlie proceeded to name and open the caravan "Charlie Thomas" |
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Charlie, with Gill Freeman, our Events Co-ordinator and Vice Chairman Bob Beer taking a look inside the new caravan |
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Following the opening and viewing, Paul Adkins and the Bourne Leisure team at Devon Cliffs Holiday Park kindly laid on a buffet and celebratory drinks in the Owners Exclusive Lounge. The buffet was exquisite and the superb support from the staff made the event even better.
 Several members of Charlie's family were in attendance to see the opening of the caravan, and it was a proud day for all. |
"We're so proud of Charlie. He truly deserves the recognition he has
received today for the dedication and hard work he's put into both the
charity and the people that the charity has helped over the past sixteen
years."
"Charlie puts everyone before himself and having this van named after him
will allow him in a small way, to continue to do so in the future".
Following the event Charlie delivered a letter to Jeff which he has requested is added to this page for all to see:
To all at Dream-A-Way,
I wish to thank Haven for a wonderful Buffet;
To thank Gill, Jeff, Bob, Rachel, Steve and their families for coming;
Thank you to my family for coming;
To Tina and Tammy for coming before work;
To wish all the people using the new Charlie Thomas Caravan very much
happiness;
To Edie for putting up with me whilst helping Dream-A-Way;
And lastly, to everyone for making an old man very happy;
I expected a lovely day but this was out of this world.
Love you all,
Charlie
Dream-A-Way would like to pay special thanks
to:
Paul Adkins and the Bourne Leisure team at Devon Cliffs for hosting a
superb event;
Stuart Blundell and Hollywood Limos for the generous use of their services;
Charlie's family and friends, for joining us to celebrate Charlie's day;
And of course, Charlie Thomas for his tireless dedication and enthusiasm
to both the charity and our special clients.
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| http://www.limohireuk.co.uk | Bourne Leisure |