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Chairmans Report – Cape Branch AGM from 27 July 2003 to 31 July 2004
The past year has been extremely busy for all of us in the office. The support groups continue tending to the needs of individuals, whilst on the administrative side we are working hard to extend our services to our members in a relevant manner.
At our last National Annual General Meeting it was proposed that we find a means of appointing a counsellor/occupational therapist/healthcare worker to tend to the needs of our members. The great problem with this suggestion was that we have no means to pay the salary that would be required.
We, as a committee have always worked with short and long-term goals and we have been successful with our short-term goals. Our long-term goals, and I think I have mentioned this before at our Annual General Meetings, is to own our own property. Well, many thought that was a “pie in the sky” hope. But I am pleased to advise that we have been extraordinarily lucky in receiving a grant from Lotto of R600 000,00 to purchase a property of our own. Not only that, but we have also been allocated money to appoint a counsellor and money to extend our equipment bank.
We have received in total R1 000 000,00 from the National Lotteries Board for which we are so grateful. It will mean so much to our branch. This does not mean that we are rolling in money, but rather it means that for the three abovementioned projects we have wonderful funding and we will, as always, be most judicious in the purchasing of a property as well as in our appointing of personnel.
It also does not mean that this money can be put into our bank account and that we may draw interest. As we prove we are fulfilling our project obligations – so the money will be paid to us. We are very pleased that there is such accountability and transparency in ministering this account as it safeguards all of us.
We continued to extend our equipment bank this past year and ten children enjoy the use of motorized wheelchairs and other assorted equipment through the endeavours of our branch.
On 5 March this year we had a lovely breakfast at Chart Farm. It was an opportunity for everyone to relax and catch up with friends and members of our branch. These events may sometimes feel to be a bit of an effort to attend but do try as it is a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends. Also, do not forget to use dial-a-ride. It is there for us, and it it meant to be used by us.
I would like to thank our doctors and researchers at Red Cross Children’s Hospital and Groote Schuur Hospital who mean so much to us and the genetic clinics who are always willing to assist us with information and talks and who do such amazing work. Dr Jo Wilmshurst is pleased to report that the service for diagnosing Limb Girdle is now up and running thanks to funding from the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation and this is a great step forward.
Once again our heartfelt thanks to the Harley Davidson Club of Cape Town for their generous donation of R40 000,00 this year. Without these kind people we would not have been able to help so many people. The Harley Davidson Club was the first Harley Davidson Club in South Africa to become actively involved with a branch. We thank them for their continued support of and understanding of the work we do. ALL money donated by the Harley Davidson Club is, as always, used only on affected people. This donation has enabled us to get Andrew Forbes a bigger motorized wheelchair as he had outgrown his previous one and a hoist to lift him. This has made the most incredible difference to both him and his family.
On 5 February we held a cooking demonstration at the Pick ‘n Pay School of Cooking. This is always a very popular event and R3 700,00 was raised. My thanks to Antoinette de Nobrega for organsing this event.
We are also indebted to Sandi Ovenstone for inviting us to serve teas at The Open Garden day at Stellenberg. It was a glorious event and we raised R27 000,00. My grateful thanks to the sub-committee of Lee Leith, Cyelle Pollock and Sue Ryan who organized the event and to the Committee and all our friends who assisted, making this event the success of the year.
Our Golf Day was a great success and R16 000,00 was raised. My thanks to Cyelle Pollock and Penny Catto for assisting in arranging this event. A special word of thanks to Cobus Fourie who continues to assist us in maintaining our wheelchairs. If any repair should take too long, he will always find a replacement chair. We appreciate that special care. Thank you also to Solutions Medical for the service they provide to us. Besides customising wheelchairs they too go out of their way to ensure no one is without his/her transport for any length of time or they too provide temporary wheels.
Cyelle Pollock our Treasurer deserves a special word of thanks for the time and energy she expends on our financial matters. Her prudent handling of our accounts is so necessary to run our branch successfully. Thank you Cyelle. We are deeply indebted too, to Ernst & Young who do our annual auditing. It is most satisfactory to have the assurance that every aspect of the branch’s financial status is thoroughly audited by such a prestigious firm of auditors.
To my committee, I thank you for the time and energy you bring to the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation. Each one has family commitments but is always so willingly available when needed. I thank you for your commitment to Muscular Dystrophy. A special word of thank to Margaret Bowker who runs our office so diligently and also assists Cyelle with the day-to-day bookkeeping. She is my right-hand lady who gives me fantastic backup and support at all times.
Win van der Berg
Cape Branch Chairperson
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