60th Anniversary
2009 was Age Concern Wiltshire's 60th Anniversary!
In 2009 we celebrated 60 years of Age Concern Wiltshire.
Mike Weston, Chair of Trustees, said the following abut our 60th year celebrations.
Age Concern Wiltshire was born out of need in 1949 and still today the need is there, albeit sometimes in a different and more sophisticated way… For example, alongside our mainstream services which are constantly in demand such as information and advice and befriending, we have recently been helping with Digital TV switchover.
As Trustees, we saw the 60th year as a way of raising awareness of the varied support that the charity provides and its constant need for both funds and volunteers, as well as an opportunity to involve local older people in our celebrations. Little did we know when we began the planning the year, that the world was about to turn on its head and return financially to a similar position as when we were formed, but Wiltshire folk are a brave and positive bunch, and you have not let us down
There are so many people who have given both of their time and money
to help make this year a success despite the current economic climate. On behalf of the Board of Trustees I would like to thank the funders of the charity, our tremendous staff and volunteer team and most importantly the public who have supported events during this year. You have all gone that extra mile to make sure the 60th anniversary was a success
The 60th Appeal committee meetings produced some fairly wild and wonderful suggestions but, out of them, came a programme of regular events and Big 60 challenges. We started last March with the formation of the number 60 by staff, volunteers and supporters (including the former High Sheriff) in the Market Place in Devizes; then a cycle ride from Edinburgh, Jazz in the Garden, Sweet Charity cake book, Great Sunday Lunch, the Big Knit, a Charity Auction, Guess the Number of Stitches in a Cushion and a poetry and essay competition which, interestingly, was something that had taken place in the early years of the charity. And of course our last event of the 60th year was the Pancake Day Races in Devizes in February.
We are still receiving some of the promised donations but the total looks to be £34,000, plus £15,000 worth of unpaid-for time and services from companies such as Waitrose.
The monies received have allowed us to keep a number of services going which may otherwise have ceased, due to lack of funds.
Finally, I would like to say a big thank you to The Gazette and Herald, as well as the Wiltshire Times and their editorial teams, who gave us that push start by making Age Concern Wiltshire their charity of the year and, throughout the last 12 months, their support has been magnificent.