The Farnham Charity supporting local people in need

Press Release:                      

At the recent Annual General Meeting of the local fund-raising group, The Hedgehogs, the members celebrated another excellent year, with well over £50,000 being raised in difficult economic conditions. With such a first class result from the events, the group were able to hand over in excess of £41,000 to worthwhile charities etc., in the Farnham area.

 

The main events to raise this sum were the Annual Golf Day, Chinese Banquet, Bat & Ball Beer Festival and a remarkable £6000, raised at the 60th Birthday Party for Gill Tilburn, the wife of the group’s treasurer. During the year sixteen donations exceeded £1000, with £7500 going to Woodlarks and £4600 going to Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice.

 

After four years as Chairman, Roger Hobbs stood down and will be replaced by David Stevens, one of the younger members of the Hedgehogs. Roger will be a hard act to follow and his hard work and enthusiasm, during his term in office, was applauded by the members. In 2009 he oversaw the 50th year celebrations of the group and the funds raised have now reached over the £50,000 mark for the past two years.

 

The new Chairman has already overseen several events, in particular the Annual Sponsored Swim, and will be the first of the younger generation in the chair. Bob Hockey was elected Vice-Chairman, and will take over the chair after three years and therefore ensure the continuity of leadership. Clive Cook (Secretary), Steve Tilburn (Treasurer) and John Roberts (Membership Secretary) were automatically re-elected for the coming twelve months.

 

It was decided that a group newsletter would be introduced and issued two or three times each year to both the members and to other interested parties. This would inform people of what action the group has taken, plans for future events and hopefully stimulate more interest in the essential work of the Hedgehogs and attract new members. This project would also embrace dealing with the press and would be steered by Jason Grafham, Tony Pickering and Cyril Trust.

 

The Hedgehogs added another name to those who have won the ‘Award for services to Farnham and to date Mike Barter, the late Roger Burge and Cyril Trust have been recognized for their work over many years. Among the nucleus of the group are several others who have given their time and effort free to help the needy, and hopefully the town will also reward them in years to come.  

 

Farnham is lucky to have groups like The Hedgehogs, The Lions, Round Table and Rotary giving support to good causes and long may they continue to do so.

 

AGM 2010 Report

David Stevens and Roger Hobbs

A CHANGE OF LEADERSHIP FOR THE HEDGEHOGS