Ladies and Gentlemen

During the past year, Gloucestershire Cloud 9 has continued to fulfil the aims of the founder, Clive Boseley, in providing a holiday for two weeks in the Florida sunshine for children with life threatening diseases or severe disabilities. This also provides respite for parents from the constant care of their children.

The process of organising a Gloucestershire Cloud 9 Trip starts within weeks of returning home from the previous one. Applications for places are processed and all applicants are visited in their homes and referrals made to the Trip Doctor who liaises with the childs own medical practitioner. Carers are chosen to meet the individual needs of the children and the Trip as a whole. A caring and trusting relationship is developed between the children and the carers. Children and their families share time with their carers both in formally organised events and also days out etc. arranged privately. This is important as it enables the families to become confident that the child will be given specific and individual care.

Trustees take very seriously our responsibility to both the children and carers. All carers are checked by the Criminals Record Bureau and meet with the Trustees prior to taking part in a Cloud 9 trip. Carers receive training and I would like to thank Mrs Millie Barnes for her assistance in providing training particularly in manual handling. I would also like publicly to thank ARJO for their support in providing lifting apparatus for the trip. Drivers of the minibuses have all received training and assessment by the Gloucestershire Road Safety Unit. Elizabeth White and Mike Essex have both completed courses in Child Protection Awareness.

Last Autumn Trip 12 left with 17 children, carers, nurses and Dr Andy Nichol (Trip Doctor) for the two week stay in Florida. There was much excitement as children, parents and carers waited for the coach to take them to the airport. For many parents, it is the first time that their children have been anywhere without them. Understandably there is some apprehension and often a tear in the eyes of parents as the coach departs from Gloucester.

This year the schedule again included visits to:
Magic Kingdom - the home of Mickey Mouse
Animal Kingdom - for the sights and sounds of Africa and Asia
Sea World
MGM Studios
Busch Gardens
Universal Studios
and Discovery Cove to swim with the dolphins.

The Trip was very successful. All the children remained well, always a big worry, and a wonderful time was had by all.

Trip 12 was the tenth trip that David White has led. I am sure that all carers who have accompanied the children during the last 10 years will agree with me in saying that David has been a splendid leader. His attention to detail is exemplary. Is it any wonder that the trips have always been enjoyed by all  both children and carers. David made it known to the Trustees that he would like a break and would not be leading Trip 13. On behalf of my colleague Trustees I want to thank David for all that he has done during the past 10 years. He will be a hard act to follow, but I am delighted to announce that Trustees have invited Steve Wynn to be the leader of Trip 13 and he has accepted this responsibility. Trip 12 was also the last trip for the Trip Doctor, Dr Andy Nichol. Dr Andy has taken part in 7 trips for Cloud 9. This has been a tremendous commitment and I know his expertise has been appreciated by all. Trustees will be appointing a successor to Dr Andy Nichol in the very near future.

Of course, the Trip could not take place with just a Leader and a Doctor. Trustees are always most grateful to all the Carers who ensure that every one of the children has a holiday of a lifetime.

Of course none of this would be possible without the hard work of so many people:
(a) The Chairman and all the officers and members of the Fund Raising Committee
(b) The fund raisers, who not only raise money but also ensure that Cloud 9 is kept in the public eye.
(c) The treasurer for ensuring that the finances are kept in good order
(d) The organiser of the 125 Club and all those who support it.
(e) The Fund Co-ordinator  Elizabeth, who continues to amaze us all by her vitality.

During the year there are many activities arranged by the Fund Raising Committee which keep the Charity in the public eye. Although not a specific fund raising event, I would like to mention the Gloucestershire Cloud 9 Carol Service. What a splendid occasion it was with so many children and their parents who have benefited from a holiday of a lifetime meeting in reunion with carers and friends.

The Trustees are always reviewing the procedures and this year has approved a Risk Assessment Policy and made amendments to the Carers Application Form. I thank my fellow Trustees for all their support and hard work behind the scenes for the Charity that is so dear to our hearts.

May we all continue to bring joy and happiness into the lives of some of those to whom life appears to have dealt some bitter blows.

John H Smith
Chairman
Gloucestershire Cloud 9 Trustees