We were grateful to Geoff Stokes & Robert Kurley (apologies if spelling is incorrect) who came to us at quite short notice to talk and show us slides on the work involved with 'Aid to Children Everywhere'.  Robert gave us insight as to how it all started - a local member of the Charity joined in a convoy in 1991 of several hundred vehicles from all over the U.K. to take basic clothing and food to Romania.  After a while it was officially formed and registered as a Charity.  We were amazed on hearing the various procedures which have to be gone through both before and during convoy, i.e. getting clearance from the Docks, what is on board in detail and the weight, getting across the various country borders, sometimes being accompanied by the Military.  There are all the stops to be planned, refuelling etc through 4 countries, and the documentation involved,

Geoff told us how a team of approximately 12 (male and female) which is the run from the local area (some being from Elstead) go out twice a year to various villages in eastern Romania, with an articulated lorry (maybe one other) and a 'bus caravan', sometimes his own vehicle, with the cargo for a particular trip.  They are getting very well known, and have sponsorship from various businesses etc and who donate, can be bicycles, bedding, medical supplies, whatever, clothes and food not needed quite so much these days, as the country is slowly becoming a little more self supportive.  They choose a village more often than an orphanage these days, as they seem to have had quite a lot of support, through world wide coverage, and spend about 7 days working on a needed project, one for example being, turning a derelict building into a passable standard to house a Doctors Surgery/Clinic & Dentist.  They do not have to take so many materials with them these days, as more can be purchased locally, and if a project is not completed, local people use their skills to complete.  The team carry out building work, plumbing, electrical etc.  Roofs of course would not be tiled or slated, merely corrugated iron, maybe asbestos!  The fuel for these journeys costs approx: £1,000.

What wonderful people they are, who give of their time and energy to do this work for those less fortunate than ourselves (all for love) but there is always the thoughts who will carry it on, when perhaps the present teams can no longer do it.  We were able to contribute in our own small way, by asking our members to bring gifts of soaps, flannels, towels, shampoo, tooth brushes and paste.  They are always grateful of donations and will probably be pleased of bedding for the coming winter, where everything is now stored in Chiddingfold, used to be Elstead. The usual raffle was held, and a surprise tea, when Betty arrived with strawberries (in sharing her celebration of an '0' birthday we think).  'Chair' having been pre-warned, so a trip to get cream, for - who can have strawberries without cream.  All we hope they did not cost as much as they do at Wimbledon!

Next Meeting.  Brown Bears to the Black Sea.  Jeffery Wheatley.

Freda Sheppard

13