Chairman's Review of the Year
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Mr H M Booth MBE,
JP and Chairman
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This review aims to highlight some of Galloway's achievements over the past year. The full Annual Report and Accounts as submitted to the Charity Commission can be obtained by contacting Stuart Eastwood at Howick House on 01772 744148.
Anniversary Year
The Charity we now know as Galloway's was established following a public meeting, chaired by the then Mayor of Preston Alderman Birley on March 11th 1867. Consequently, throughout the last year many events have been held to celebrate the milestone of our 140th Anniversary. We are indebted to the many organisations, large and small, that have adopted us as their ‘charity for the year' and either raised funds or undertaken special projects.
During the year, we had a number of changes to the Board of Management; a list of Trustees is detailed within this report. However, I must make mention of the service given to Galloway's over the past 55 years by one of our Vice Presidents Mr E. C. (Teddy) Dickson, who this year decided to step down as a Trustee. Teddy has served Galloway's in practically every capacity and I believe his voluntary contribution is unequalled across the sector. In recognition of his service, the Trustees have established the E C Dickson Award which will be presented by Galloway's each year to an organisation or individual, acknowledging their contribution towards our aims of ‘providing facilities for the preservation of sight' and reducing the disability of visually impaired people. I am delighted to announce that the first winner of the Award is the Chorley Building Society.
Unsung Heroes
Galloway's has only been able to celebrate its 140th anniversary due to the help it receives from the public and our thanks is recorded to all our supporters including our army of 450 volunteers who give up their valuable time to ensure our services are maintained to over 6000 blind and visually impaired people across the region.
Financial Facts
Overall expenditure amounted to £709,481 some £20,000 up on the previous year, income from donations and fundraising stood at £236,000 whilst legacies totalled £210,000 slight increase on the previous year but this followed a 50% decrease on the year before. I take this opportunity to stress how important legacies remain to the future development of Galloway's. Confidential help and further information can be obtained by contacting our Director Peter Taylor on 01772 753700 or by email to peter.taylor@galloways.org.uk
Partnership Prospects
We are again very grateful to be working in partnership with various organisations across the County. Our relationship with Lancashire Adult Learning is well recognised nationally and the recent Heritage Lottery Funded Project which recorded experiences of people with a sight loss was one of the highlights of the year. Thanks are also expressed to Central Lancashire PCT, British Wireless for the Blind Fund, D'Oyly Carte Trust and many other trusts and grant giving organisations who have supported us during the year. Without this vital funding it would not be possible for us to reach so many people with our services.
H M Booth, MBE, JP
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