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Record Smashed for Derek’s Tree Appeal!

At the well-attended January meeting of the Burton Business Club at the Branston Golf Club, Club Chairman, Derek Liddle up-dated members on the results of the Derek’s Tree Appeal for Christmas 2009. He revealed that an amazing 1,800 Christmas presents were distributed to disadvantaged and needy children in the Burton area and Burton businesses contributed £1,500 in donations.

Derek went on to report that, as usual, no children went without and there was a total of some £2,000 remaining to provide specific equipment and facilities on local children’s’ homes in the area. He added that the generosity of local people is amazing, even in these recessionary times.

Derek expressed his grateful thanks to all those who helped and those in the Club who provided support this year with a special mention to Bev Butt who marshalled the manning schedule for the Tree site in Cooper Square and Jean Wade, one of the new Trustees of the Appeal, who accompanied Derek in delivering the presents to the various homes and refuges. As for the future of the Appeal, Derek expressed his confidence that the Club will ensure that the Appeal will prosper over the many years to come thus enabling him to hand over the reins after 15 years running this Appeal.

The advertised presentation by Tony Harvey-Bacon of Mercia Web could not proceed, as Tony is seriously ill and could not attend. Instead, Derek hugely entertained members by giving a thought-provoking account on his life starting with his hard upbringing and first job in a Glasgow ship-building yard.

He related the relatively rapid advancement in his career purely through his own efforts in overcoming his disadvantages in life to becoming a General Manager at the age of 26 running 19 electrical goods shops in Kettering. Despite many subsequent setbacks to his business and personal life, he has managed to keep his sense of humour and he has helped rescue many business owners of failing companies in the Burton area with his bend of unique expertise and experience. Furthermore, his early disadvantaged upbringing has triggered his active participation in helping disadvantaged children over the last 15 years

Other members, encouraged by Derek’s frank account, gave some brief insights into their background and how it has shaped their businesses ranging from a humorous poem to more sober contributions on playing to one’s strengths.

David Lees on behalf of members present, thanked Derek for his truly excellent account and this was accompanied by a huge round of applause.

On a final note, Derek asked members to help him identify retail businesses who would be prepared to put collection tins on their counters in aid of the Donna Louise Trust. He voiced members wishes about wishing Tony Harvey-Bacon well and hope for a speedy recovery.