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One of the most important
opportunities in the calendar for us each year in the South West is
the Gorsley Festival.
This takes place over the August Bank Holiday where we have an
exhibition stand at the
Festival,held just outside Ross on Wye. Although a lot of work to
prepare and then man the stand from Thursday through Monday, it is a
huge opportunity to increase the awareness of The Smiles Foundation
with over 5000 visitors coming through the marquee
during the course of the weekend.
 Once
again we were supported by people from around our region: John Rush,
Nicola and Aaron Hacker (our daughter and grandson), Mary Jones, Peggy
Feltham and Paul and Alison Jeanes. We also had the privilege of Liz
and Geoff Farrow from Worthing joining us on the stand – they spent
the weekend with Dave and Rosie Clark. Ivor and Mary Morgan from
Amesbury, Wiltshire also helped on the Smiles stand again this year –
they have never been on a mission trip but are keen supporters of
Smiles.
 This year
we focussed on inviting people to join us on a Smiles Mission Trip,
and we asked Smiles mission trippers from across our region to give us
a “quotable quote” for use on the stand – here’s a sample of what we
received:
“Fabulous ‘First Mission’ experience. Well organised, well fed and
cared for and supported while getting stuck into the real needs of the
people & projects, Go for it and enjoy!”
“I was
over 60 when I went on my first Smiles trip
– age is definitely NOT a barrier!”
“If
you want to be able say ‘I have made a difference!’
– Smiles is definitely for you”.
 "I never thought
serving could be search a rewarding experience. The work of Smiles is
absolutely incredible and it was a privilege for me to be able to
serve alongside them and make a difference to the lives of those in
need in Romania..."
"My first time at Smiles won't be
my last time. I'll be coming back - such a brilliant experience!"
"A mission trip is life with a difference"
 Anna
Clarke
from Kidderminster went on her first Smiles
mission trip last year and was so impressed that she returned this
year for a whole month.
Those
who have been on a Smiles mission trip KNOW how much it can affect
their lives, and those they have visited. If you haven’t been yet, or
haven’t been for a long while, why not join us next year – we’ve love
to welcome you!
As we
write this report we are DELIGHTED to advise that
Ivor and Mary Morgan
have decided to join us on their first Smiles mission trip next March
and their application forms will be sent to Dawn by the end of this
week!
Why
don’t you follow them. Contact us or the
Leeds office for your Application Form or further detailed
information.
Serving the South-West. |
