PARKINSON LTD CHARITABLE ROMANIA EXPEDITION!
June 3rd-13th 2010
Employees of Parkinson Ltd will be returning Romania in June to carry out works to assist “Hands of Hope” (Registered Charity No.938 (Isle of Man). Below are details of their first visit in October 2009 which gave them a better understanding of exactly what is required and this time they will be able to better target the needs. Once again they willl be working with the Centre of Hope in Dorohoi to deliver aid. If you wish to help with the expedition then please contact us on info@parkinson.co.im
They are once again being supported by Regency Travel, The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company & P.& O Stena Line with the provision of discounted fares. A full list of those who have helped will be posted here shortly. meanwhile preparations are full steam ahead for departure on 3rd of June.
Hands of Hope seek to help the poor, needy & homeless of Romania by working in the community through practical home building projects, the distribution of aid and the befriending of families and disadvantaged people.The Charity is currently providing assistance to people in the Dorohoi area of Botosani County in the north eastern corner of Romania close to the Moldovia border. Their website address is http://www.handsofhope.org.im .
October 2009 Expedition
The purpose of the expedition is to transport and deliver much needed bedding and consumable supplies (nappies, vitamins, toothbrushes, toothpaste, feeding bottles, soft toys, and other basic essentials that we take for granted) to Charitable organisations working in the Dorohoi area of Botosani County, and the carrying out of some much needed repair and maintenance work at these facilities.
The team with Regency Travel and Steam Packet representitives
The three Transit sized vans undertook the round trip of approximately 3750 miles from the Isle of Man without any problems. The journey to Dorohoi and back took 10 days and included two ferry crossings each way. Regency Travel arranged with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company and P& O Stena Line for discounted fares for the crossings. Their route included many miles of motorway as they crossed France, Belgium, Germany, Austria and Hungary. Once in Romania they had to cross the Carpathian Mountains to reach Dorohoi.
Graham, Keith, Chris, Jeff, Richard & Andy The team by one of the houses
Thursday 8th October 2009
Its Time to load the vans, but first its a Photo call for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company who have provided special fares then a visit from John Moss of Manx Radio to do some interviews. After loading there is still some space to fill but Hands of Hope have a store for holding goods for shipment to the space is soon filled. The vans then go for a brake check and weighing ready for the long journey. Everyone then gets some rest before the ferry crossing and the overnight drive to Dover.
Thursday evening and the vans meet at the Sea Terminal to board the Ben-My-Chree for Heysham. Family and friends are there to wish them well and there is a little apprehension of what is ahead.
Arrival on time at Heysham and on the motorway for the drive south to meet up with Keith and the trailer which is to be towed by the Doxbond van.
Friday 9th October 2009
8am Arrived early at Dover for the crossing to Calais. Andy arranges with P&O Stena to get good position on the ferry to enable a quick disembarkation in France. Across the channel and quickly through France to Belgium. Andy reports that the roadworks in Belgium were a nightmare and the drivers crazy. By late afternoon they were all tired so they stopped at Saarbrucken and got a good night sleep.
Graham and Jeff at Dover The White Cliffs from the Truck park
Saturday 10th October 2009
Todays journey took in three countries. Starting off in Germany heading east towards Munich and then Salzburg in Austria. Roadworks again dogged the journey which slowed down progress. The final country being Hungary where they made an overnight stop not far from Budapest.
Chain Bridge Budapest Heroes Square Budapest Fishermans Bastion
Sunday 11th October 2009
The final leg and east again heading towards Debrecen before crossing the border. After crossing the Carpathian Mountains they arrived in the Botosani area very late on Sunday night. Arrangements had been made fo them to stay at the Centre of Hope one of the charities that works closely with Hands of Hope they have a very informative at website at www.glia.org.uk
Centre of Hope Dorohoi where the team stayed. unloading the aid
Delivering aid
Monday 12th October 2009
In the Dorohoi area a visit is made to one of the Orphanages as well as delivering parcels to some of families who Ruth from Hands of Hope felt were most in need. The joiners of the party also constructed some beds in the houses. They are maximising their time there by putting in a 12 hour day which means we don't get as much information back.
Bunk beds made by the team for a family The houses built by Hands of Hope
Tuesday 13th October 2009
The team today carried on improving houses. The roof of one house was insulated and bunk beds built for the children they also painted the inside of one house after mixing up the paint they had to produce a colour the lady liked (pink). They already knew that the Romanians like bright colours.
Decorating a house One of the families helped
Wednesday 14th October 2009
The final work day before the long journey home. jobs were tidied up and an early finish to get some rest before the long drive
Finishing of one of the houses
Thursday 15th October 2009
Leave at 8.15am this morning the Carpathian mountains are snowy so they have to take it easy at 11.30am they were at Bistritia on the border with Hungary. Winter comes early here as can be seen from the photographs This also meant they did not have the opportunity to have a coffee stop at Dracula's Castle. They had been given a different route which included a new road which was not on the maps. This shortened the time thay took so they pressed on through Hungary and and Austria making an overnight stop at the Paprika Hotel not far from the Austrian/Hungarian Border some 504 miles later.
Carpathian mountains
Friday 16th October 2009
Heading west and the target is Calais. They have modified their route back to try and alleviate the heavy road works in the southern part of Belgium and are heading towards Antwerp then South to Calais. The consensus is to push on and get to Calais as soon as possible so its regular driver changes and coffee stops all the way
Saturday 17th October 2009
Reach Calais at 2.45am Saturday morning after 879 miles fortunately they were able to catch the last ferry before Calais is blockaded by the French seamen. Head north saying goodbye to Keith and making good time they are able to catch the 14.15 Ben My Chree sailing and were safely back on the island by 18.00 hours. The three vans performed faultlessly with no problems whatsoever.
All the assistance has been obtained through Companies and Organisations who work with or are connected with Parkinson Limited, who provided fuel for the journey and one of the vans. Special thanks to Jeanette Gregory and Richard Faragher who saw to the organisation of the trip as well as assisted with the fundraising.
Support has been received from
Regency Travel : Isle of Man Steam Packet Co., P&O Stena Line
Donations from Bierrums, IOM Kitchens, HSBC Insurance Brokers, HSBC Banking, Ambitions Ltd., Industrial & Domestic Plumbing & Heating Ltd, AC Swales Ltd., RAOB Droghad Lodge Ramsey, Gary Kelly, Regal Aluminium Window World, Berrie Miller & Cox, William Daniel Carpets, Lawler & Watt Ltd., B P D Ltd., F C Moore, L Gelling ( Merton Developments), M A Gelling Ltd, , Sefton Group Plc Home Strategic, Staff of the Royal Bank of Scotland, Doxbond, Standard Bank, AXA, Jonathan Stockton, Dawn Robertson, James Chapman, Mark Phair of MAP Groundworks, Acheson & Scheson Ltd Trobridge, Airsprung Beds Ltd Trowbridge(Matresses), Scottish and Southern Electricity (Trailer), Royal Masonic School for Girls at Rickmansworth, Focus DIY Store (Paint), Accord Office Supplies Ltd, Swindon, Pococks Poultry, Swindon, The Staff at Pearson May at Bath & Chippenham, Chippenham Rotary Club, Isle of Man Swimming Association, Focus It (the sat.nav.) ,Richard Daly & Keith Surry and family and friends.
It is hoped to send more aid via the Centre of Hope who send a container every six months to Dorohoi. Anyone wishing to help can contact Andy via Info@parkinson.co.im . Andy and the team are hoping to return next June to provide more help.
Thanks to Richard, Graham, Chris and Jeff for the use of their Photos.
