BY CHRIS HAILEY, CHAIR OF TRUSTEES
We celebrated our 30th Anniversary year in style.
We started the year with a Sponsorship drive with renewed vigour and offering deals across all 3 Award schemes. This brought us 48 deals with a new Treble Silver and several Double Silvers to add to 7 Gold Sponsors.
We then recruit 4 new trustees in Melisssa, Kerrie, Carly and Scott. Unfortunately Melissa could not take an active role but the other 3 came up trumps
In May we had our 18th Annual YSA at Pool Academy with a record 21 clubs applying. We source our goods via Cornish Granite Sports and Cornwall Trophies. Steve Instance SW RNLI Beach Manager is our guest speaker.
Scott with his crew from Cornwall Funeral Services live streamed this event and the next 2 that we hold so breaking new ground around the world.
Carly joined me in the driving seat of YSA activity which worked very well.
Next up Kerrie arranged the FHEA visits in our 10 schools in the scheme. However we tried to go back with books sourced from Tormark Books St Day in September but this took longer than expected due to stock shortages and a family bereavement.
In August we raised £220 at a bottle stall at Victoria Park Fun Day.
We had a great Sponsors Reward Day with hosts Redruth RFC in September.
About 60 Sponsors and Guests had a good social day out.
Scott was very involved in Our Community Awards at Penventon Hotel in October where 30 clubs benefitted.
This was like getting back to normal after a covid reduction in clubs applying.
Our 30th Anniversary Dinner was attended by 120 guests at PV Hotel in September where we raised £2,300. I was presented with an engrave tankard to celebrate my 30 years service as a trustee since 1990.
In November I switched on the Christmas Lights in Redruth which was a proud moment for me. We delivered 150 Xmas cards to Sponsors/supporters for the festive season.
Anna designed the cards and kept the website and social media up to date.
Both myself and Anna volunteered for the CPR Foodbank at Christmas and we start to understand the Community needs in our area.
This leads to links with Victoria Park Food Troops, Bethel Community Larder, Gweal an Tops and St Andrews Warmspace. We assist Cornwall College to distribute van loads of surplus chairs and tables to our Community Groups.
We forge links with both Rotary and Lions Club to joint fund a Sunrise Suicide support club and Redruth Book Festival.
I did a talk to the Grumpy Old Mens Breakfast Club and we receive a £223 bucket collection.
Fair to say that we have diversified a lot in our Anniversary Year.
After 12 years Paul and Andrea at Cornish Granite Sports sell up and retire.
We will miss them but they are still helping behind the scenes.
Dr Clive Blake a former Chairman passed on and we hope to present a Shield in his honour via our Community Awards in 2024.
This year has seen us celebrate 30 years with our biggest team of trustees.
Its been a big challenge to lead the new team but the newbies have settled in well and my old guard have been very reliable.
We hit investment of £475,000 into our 3 schemes this year so a new target looms for 2024.
Our aim of MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN REDRUTH is still a top priority.
We have built a great reputation and have wonderful loyal Sponsors.
I would like to thank all our Sponsors and supporters. A big thanks to my team of trustees who have many skills to use in their roles.
I will hit 20 years as Chairman this year and wonder just where has the time gone? We have achieved so much in that time but there is always more to do and new challenges to meet.
We pass milestones and look back on memories so we must make the most of life together. Its not a dress rehearsal.
CHRIS HAILEY, 01-MARCH-2024