On 28 September 2014 BEFSA’s supporters and friends came together to the Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock to help the charity celebrate its 10th anniversary.
As well as being a wonderful opportunity for everyone to celebrate the work of the charity it was also an opportunity for all those involved in the charity to thank the charity’s many friends and supporters for their fantastic support over the preceding 10 years.
Friends from far afield joined us for the event including nine South African teachers who had travelled 6000 miles to be part of this event. They were warmly welcomed by everyone at the event.
There was much singing led by our South African visitors, by the choir from Chesterton Primary school and by Susie Butt.
A special welcome was also given to Her Excellency, Bongiwe Qwabe, the Deputy High Commissioner, to Cllr Anne Purse, the Chairman of Oxfordshire County Council and to Cllr Julian Cooper, the Mayor of Woodstock all of whom gave inspirational speeches on the day.
In his speech Keith Borien, the CEO of BEFSA thanked all those organisations including Oxfordshire County Council and the many schools located all over the country for their friendship and support.
He also thanked the host of individuals who had supported BEFSA in lots of different ways. This group included the 40 volunteers who have worked with the charity in South Africa since 2004. Within this group of volunteers there were teachers, head teachers, senior managers, a nursery nurse, a builder and a vet and a large group of gap year students.
Finally Keith thanked all of BEFSA’s trustees, both in the UK and in South Africa for their unwavering support and concluded by saying that he hoped to see you everyone in another 10 years!