SpoonNews
2009 AND
BEYOND
SPOON CEO, CHRIS GILL, SHARESHIS
THOUGHTS ON THE PAST, THE PRESENT
AND THE FUTURE OF SPOON.
Dear Spooner, 25,000 more children and young people society. Looking back to 1983 helps us
were helped by Spoon during 2008. recognise how much change has taken place
What a wonderful time to be a Spooner! Not Projects have ranged from sensory rooms, during the life of Spoon.
many organisations have the opportunity of interactive gardens and playgrounds for In 1983 IBM announced its first PC and
celebrating 25 years but for a charity it is special needs children through to support cellular telephony was still in the testing lab.
something extra special. 2008 has given us centres, IT equipment for training centres and Yet today the vast majority of the population
all a chance to reflect on not only the hydrotherapy pools. Projects have been carry with them a microcomputer and
achievements of the past but also to supported across all of our Home Nations on communication device which was the stuff of
acknowledge and recognise the contribution both local and national levels. sci-fi comics just 25 years ago. What
the Founders have made since those five Fundraising went on unabated throughout boundaries of the imagination will be
intrepid rugby supporters returned from the year with over 200 events taking place. breached during the next 25 years? Only
Dublin clutching the original wooden spoon. We’ve run mountains (at least the most fit time will recall the journey, a journey that
That trip has left its mark in so many have!), played numerous rounds of golf, Spoon must and will be on.
different ways. attended lunches and dinners, balls and In 2009 we will be creating our framework
During 2008 we celebrated the work and barbeques. We’ve held auctions and raffles, for the future. Adapting and adopting
dedication of our Founders, the original five sold tickets to Internationals, Christmas Cards change where only necessary whilst at all
plus those who quickly responded to help and Spoon merchandise. It is impossible to times being sensitive to the needs of the past
raise funds for those less fortunate than report how many like minded people have and the challenges of the future. We must
themselves. That inner core of like minded attended these events and supported our lose nothing of our heritage and the values it
people, who established the Charity, gave fundraising but it runs into thousands. We do has given us. Change must only serve the
Wooden Spoon its name and set its course so know, however, that without the proactive Charity and not the other way round. The
that today Spoon is a major force in sports involvement of our core 500 Volunteer values, ethos and ethics that have driven
related charities. Regional Committee members the rich Spoon must remain at its heart as we move
Many of those original Founders are still diversity of our programme would be sadly forward. The ongoing dedication and
actively involved today, something that was diluted. Without the dedication of the commitment of our staff and close contractor
so vividly demonstrated on September 16th Committees the broad church that Spoon partners will be key to the successful
at the Founders Lunch. It would be difficult now represents would be that much poorer. implementation of our plans and
to calculate how many membership years Although the Regions have only come on the programmes.
were represented at that lunch but the spirit scene in the past ten years or so, the I would like to close on a subject that has
and camaraderie that gave Spoon its first life coverage across all geographic areas Spoon occupied my thinking for some time now.
were on show for all to see. The day was a now enjoys and the associated growth in What does it mean to be a Spooner? Jot
truly memorable recognition that all the fundraising, demonstrates once again the down your thoughts and let me know, I
achievements of the past 25 years could not foresight and confidence of our Founders would love to hear from you. To be a
have happened without the vision and and Trustees. Spooner is a very personal issue and will be
tenacity of our Founders. So now that 2008 has drawn to a close it is different for all of us. However, there are two
The one constant throughout the first 25 only right that we look to the future. Having characteristics that all members and
years has been the recognition of the need of celebrated our Founders with Founders Year supporters that I have met have shared,
others and the desire to help in the most we are now moving into the next era by namely: a love of life and a desire to give
appropriate way. This belief has been the celebrating the start of our next 25 years. back something to those less fortunate so
driving force of all the fundraising and With our strong heritage and history as a that they in turn can have a better chance in
project support the Charity has undertaken foundation we must look to the future and life. It is this ethos that gave life to Spoon,
since 1983. Over this time more than 350 start the process of moulding Spoon to meet has driven it over the past 25 years and will
projects have been supported with over £15 the challenges of our ever evolving society. continue to do so long into the future.
million given in grants. In 2008 alone 62 new Today the complexities of legislation,
projects were initiated with a total of information technology and the cultural
£1,822,000 committed. We opened more diversity of our nation are elements of I wish you all a happy Spoon 2009.
than 30 new projects of which seven were everyday life we must harness for the future.
opened by our Royal Patron, Her Royal We must create a Spoon that is nimble and Chris Gill
Highness, The Princess Royal. In total over reactive to the influences of change in January 2009
2 Spoonews Winter 2009
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40