20th February 2022 – Indoor Meeting, Botesdale

With three named storms battering the Country in the week, we had a decent amount of members attend this meeting. Among them were some new members, who were welcomed to the meeting. We had invited representatives along from our charity East Coast Truckers, to present a cheque for £600 to them for our Branch fund-raising over the past two years. Because of the Pandemic, we had to raise money over two years, rather than our usual one and despite not meeting up much with members over that time, we had a good amount to donate.

We were joined by Jackie Noy, who is in charge of External Presentations and their Holiday Home Administrator and Trevor Howlett who is Vice-Chairman of East Coast Truckers and also their Convoy Manager. East Coast Truckers are a charity who organise a Truck Convoy on the Bank Holiday Sunday in August where disadvantaged children ride in the lorries of their members from County Hall in Norwich, through Great Yarmouth to Pleasurewood Hills in Lowestoft. Here they are able to take part in the attractions and rides, before returning back through Yarmouth to Norwich.

Not only do they hold the Truck Convoy, but they raise money for the children to visit other attractions and have holidays with their families at their holiday homes in Norfolk. Members watched a DVD of the 2019 Truck Convoy and also one on the holiday homes. Jackie had also brought along some merchandise to purchase. Money from our refreshments were also donated to East Coast Truckers and Jackie will let us know how much we raised altogether.

Trevor told us that the Convoy will go ahead this year, but their starting point of County Hall, Norwich is not available, so they will be starting from the old Colman’s site across the road. Next year, however they will have to find another starting point. Trevor also said they are looking for volunteers to help with stewarding the crowds at Great Yarmouth.

Members had their photo taken with the cheque presentation and Secretary Tricia said they should give themselves a round of applause for their fund raising. A raffle was held and refreshments then the Branch meeting was held where we decided which events we would be attending as a Branch this year.