Jul-Aug 2006. Bristol students Claire &Eleri elective in Ukraine.

May 2006. Doctors visit Swindon and BDA Conference from Cherkassy.

Jun 2005. Mobile surgery driven by Brendon &Richard to Ukraine.

22-March-2005. AGM. Details to follow

03-February-2005. LH drive mobile surgery returned to Swindon.

August-2004. Bristol Marathon

27-July-2004. Ukraine Trip – including Balaclava Bicentenary.

08-Mar-2004 Progress Meeting

27-Jan-2004. Progress Meeting

LEAFLETS. Brendon has designed a leaflet/small brochure for initial publicity, Domino’s Pizza will sponsor the project to £250.00, he has also made enquires as to printing costs, Prontoprint can reproduce the triple fold leaflet at a cost of £249.00 for 2000. Maurice will make enquiries elsewhere for an alternative price if possible.

MOBILE CLINIC. Brendon &Natasha informed us that the mobile clinic donated to the Cherkassy region of Ukraine was now being utilised, even in winter, and that it has been adapted to withstand the severe temperatures, we all agreed it was heartening to know that it is being used with such pride.

FUTURE PROJECTS. Although we have sent out equipment and materials to be used by dental professionals when equipment needs installing/repairing etc, most of the items are manufactured using imperial tools and with English instructions, to overcome these difficulties, Dr Ivan Kovolenko our contact in the region, has suggested training a suitable Ukrainian national in the UK. MDSS a Swindon based company that specialises in the installation and repair of dental equipment have agreed in principal to train him although this can take a few months. Brendon Natasha &Dr Kovolenko have someone in mind although there is the process of visa’s etc if successful they are willing to accommodate him. Once trained he will be able to service and install equipment.

Brendon &Richard are planning to go over again this year and take mainly disposable items and materials, these will be of far more use, Maurice asked if there were any regulations regarding the transporting of materials, explained must be in date and for use in the Ukraine.

It was mentioned that Swindon is twinned with Torun, a town in Poland, who are in turn twinned with a town somewhere in Ukraine, as Poland is soon to enter the EC, Maurice is to see if we can use this to our advantage ( assuming it is geographically compatible ).

FUNDRAISING. We have sufficient funds for our immediate ongoing projects, however more is always needed.

If Linda and Richard are agreeable it was suggested a garden party in their garden with a Eastern European theme a provisional date was set for Sat 10th July 2004.

Pete Laws mentioned a metal detecting rally, whereby prizes are buried in a field and then metal detector are used, Pete to investigate further.

Maurice suggested contacting the Swindon Rotary Club and Siroptomist Club regarding funding, to send them one of our leaflets. Also to try and contact Zurich if successful they have a policy of matching £ for £. Other ideas, Mayors Ball, proceeds go to nominated charities, Maurice to apply.

Brendon will be attending the British Dental Associations’ annual conference in Bournemouth later this year and has been allocated a stand to promote Smilemenders.

It was suggested trying International organisations such as WHO and Unesco, Brendon explained that this was tried a while ago without any uccess but to try again now we have charity status.

John suggested pooling resources with other charities ie Rotary and then a percentage of the profits are shared, something to think about for the future.

Brendon reports that the 4×4 currently being used in the Ukraine will eventually need replacing so we need to keep this in mind when fundraising.

Ros or Jenny will attempt to find out more regarding insurance/public liability, necessary at any public function.

December 2003. Progress meeting.

November 2003. Launch. Meeting to launch Smilemenders as a registered charity. A prototype web site has been created. We need patrons.