IN January the AGM of PEAL decided by a vote of over two to one that we had not exhausted all opportunities and that the decision to close the charity was premature.

I was given the proud honour not only to become a trustee but also to succeed Robbie Porter as the chairman of the charity. More siginfiicantly three bereaved parents also became trustees, Sheila and Robert Reid and Alex Townsend. Miranda Smith and Hugh Thomas complete the trustees. In addition Diana Williams has returned on a temporary basis as support services manager ably assisted by the tireless efforts of Beryl Smith, who works one day a week on a voluntary basis. Last but certainly, not least Eleanor Creed-Miles, counselling management consultant to PEAL continues to train our volunteers and assess the specific needs of bereaved parents and siblings.

May I at this point give my thanks to Angela Gerrard, Robbie Porter, Jan Redman, Carolyn Wood and Gillian Butler for all their hard work on behalf of PEAl and wish them every success in their new ventures.

Since January the following points of significance are worth noting:

1 We have been granted permission to apply for a grant from the Big Lottery Fund under the new umbrella 'reaching communities' - we shall know whether or not we are successful by the end of November 2006.

2 We are applying for numerous other smaller grants to keep us in funds in this interim period.

3 Worcester Contract Bridge association ran a Christmas event for us raising in excess of £300 and is also donating entries to a social event in August to us expected to raise in excess of £500.

4 Alex Townsend has been organising our supermarket collections and to date this year we have collected nearly £1,500 and have five more licensed for this year. Anybody who can spare an hour or two please contact Alex via our office. All help welcome and needed.

5 We have ensured we have in place an exit strategy, ensuring the continued and uninterrupted support of parents and siblings.

As a result of the above, at a meeting of the trustees and management, it was unanimously agreed to become active again. We will now be contacting those parents and siblings around the county, who have been waiting for PEAL to be in a position to offer them its full support.

How can you help? During the next five months we will be incurring costs such as professional fees, rent, insurance, telephone, stationery and expenses and every donation or fund raising scheme not only will keep us solvent but also enhance the chances of being successful with the Big Lottery Fund.

So please, please keep your eyes open and ears sharp to any ways we can raise funds. You have all been so wonderful in the past we need one more big push.

Alan M Reid

Chairman of the trustees

PEAL