We are very pleased to announce the receipt today of a kind donation of £130.61p via the Charities Aid Foundation from former Bolton MRT call out list member Steve Thomas, who also served as our Treasurer whilst in the team.
On Wednesday 8th October 2014, Steve had emailed our Team Leader Garry Rhodes MBE with the following ;
“Hi Garry,
Steve Thomas here (team member/treasurer in the mid-‘90s). Hope all is well with you and Ann. I occasionally bump into Geoff Seddon, and see Matt Hailwood regularly at the canoe club so I know that the team is thriving and busier than ever.
This is just a quick email to let you know about a donation I’ve just made through the CAF website.
This is the result of a collection, in lieu of presents, made at my 50th birthday celebration, which was a camping weekend for family and friends we held in Bala back in late June.
I know it’s a while ago but I was waiting for some further donations which were promised, and as usual these things tend to be forgotten.
Anyway, all sorted now and I have made a £110 donation, plus Gift Aid.
I know this can be put to good use supporting the Team’s work and hope you continue going from strength to strength.”
Our Team Leader Garry Rhodes MBE replied at the time, renewing past friendships and passing on belated birthday greetings and also best wishes to Steve’s wife Bridget, and his children Amy (now in her third year at Nottingham University) and Conor, aged 13.
Steve in turn replied, including an acceptance of Garry’s invitation to visit the team:
“Thanks for the invitation to drop into your base sometime. I would love to, no doubt accompanied by Conor, to see how you have developed the team in recent years.
Please would you get back to me to let me know when would be a good time – I wouldn’t want to get in the way of an exercise, but if the kettle’s on then I’ll bring some biscuits!
Although it’s 17 years since I left, the team is still in the system. I am Secretary of the Canoe Club, and occasionally find myself saying “the team” instead of “ the club”. Matthew Hailwood, by the way, is our Chair and is excellent in the role.
I notice that Craig Lamb is now your Chairman; please pass on my best wishes to him, and to anyone else who might remember me. I guess this includes Mike Marsh, Gill Leigh, General and maybe some others.
Best wishes also of course to yourself and Ann from Bridget and I. Hope to see you around.
Cheers, Steve.”
The whole team membership would like to thank Steve for his thoughtful support of his ‘old’ team, and also to all who made a donation to the team in celebration of Steve’s 50th, in lieu of presents at his birthday celebrations.
Hopefully we’ll see Steve and maybe his family, soon for a visit to our Ladybridge Hall Base / HQ.
