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20 years ago vic tallowin had an idea!
Reflecting on the past 20 years or so…..
Wow 20 years doesn’t time fly?
This all started due to my previous visits to Romania taking small amounts of aid and I thought surely, we can do better than this. I approached a manager in BT Transport regarding the possibility of loaning a 7.5ton lorry to take aid to specific needy areas in Romania. His response was sorry but he does not operate small lorries like that…. But how about a 38ton artic lorry and trailer with drivers instead, I was lost for words!
Ever since that time BT have been a fantastic partner and supporter of TEECH, supplying 2 vehicles for the main trip and 2 vehicles for the Christmas trip every year plus they cover the fuel, ferries and road tolls as well.
The first trip in 1997 was an aid trip only, taking aid to schools and hospitals in the southern region of Romania near the Danube.
From 1998 onwards we adopted a different approach and selected a different specific project each year. We were determined to help those less fortunate in a very practical way, by not just donating aid but also by getting them started with improving sanitary conditions for themselves and future generations.
The first year that we put out pleas for volunteers, to help change the lives of others, we were taken aback by the numbers of people that volunteered. You don’t need any special skills (but of course if they did then even better), you just needed to have the commitment to wield a paint brush as and when required was all we asked. Each year we get a fantastic response from volunteers to raise funds and obtain items that we can take out to help others less fortunate.
The sheer devotion and commitment of the volunteers each year is what keeps TEECH going from Strength to Strength.
We must not forget the huge part that local businesses play either – their generosity in supplying sanitary and electrical goods sometimes Free and if not at a fantastically reduced price is brilliant, releasing funds so that we can achieve even more.
Over the past few years, we have moved on from Romania into Moldova, (was officially named as the poorest country in Europe). Over the 20 years we (with your fantastic support) have helped improve conditions at schools, hospitals, homes for the elderly and orphanages, changing lives and yes even saving lives in some cases.
So thank you to all involved, you should feel a huge sense of pride, yes pride, with being involved with helping in this way, not everyone would be willing to give up time like this to help others.
At this point I would like to also make a special mention of a couple of people who tirelessly work all through the year to make sure things happen when they should.
Rob Brown – our Chair who is one of the most tenacious and committed people you could meet. He achieves nothing short of miracles with the amount of time he spends collecting aid and putting it together for the twice-yearly trips.
Holly Field – wow again, she has been an absolute godsend working away helping to take TEECH from strength to strength. Not just helping Robert Standley (our Treasurer, who came on board with TEECH in 1998) keeping the financial things fluid, but all her organisational skills with the transport and accommodation plus also keeping all of us updated on everything as we go along.
Honestly, I do not know where they find time to do all they do plus hold down full-time jobs as well – perhaps they have a special time clock that allows 26 hours in a day and 8 days in a week?
So there you have it a brief background to 20 years of TEECH.
Vic Tallowin (Co-Founder)
If you want to know more then please do not hesitate to get in touch.
TEECH WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS, WHETHER YOU HAVE BEEN A TRUSTEE, A VOLUNTEER OR DONATED ITEMS AND SUPPORT.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO ANOTHER 20!
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Donations - if you would like to send donations through then please contact holly@teech.org to find out where to send them.
We are looking for good quality clothing for men and children. The next packing day in Colchester will be 8th April. |
