Gil Poulos was a young boy full of joy, energy and promise when his life was tragically cut short by an automobile accident. During the five weeks of hospitalisation prior to his death, Gil displayed a remarkable nobilty, a delightful sense of humour and a loving nature which touched everyone who came into contact with him. In the three short years of his life, he managed to influence and bring out the best in everyone who met him.

To honour his spirit and to preserve the valuable lesson Gil taught his parents, a Trust was established in his name, to help others and to make something positive from such a tragedy.

 

The Purpose of the Trust

The Trust's purpose is to promote joy, growth and the development of human potential; through the support of projects, grants, initiatives and programmes which enlightne and improve the quality of life for children and adults.

The Trustees were keen to help with the Maidenhead Interfaith Tsunami project, particularly in the context of so many parents having lost their children and so many children having lost their parents.

Activites of the Trust

In 2004, the following donations were made by the Trust:

• 1,240 to provide Reading Volunteer Reading Help with 20 reading 'kits' of children's books and games to enable their volunteers to give special literacy skills help to children from deprived areas.
   

• 1,500 in educational support for two children in Berkshire who suffer from Juvenile Chronic Arthritis to provide one to one tutoring and appropriate equipment to ensure the children have full access to the curriculum and can reach their full potential.
   

• 500 for musical equipment for Reading Mental Resource Centre which provides meaningful day time activities as well as the skills and confidence people with mental health problems need to get back to employment.
   

• 1,250 towards a scholarship to enable a young person to participate in special educational programme
   

• 1,500 was used to help create a sensory garden for the blind in Henley's Mill Meadow.
   

• 900 enabled a Henley children with brain damage and learning difficulties to receive special 1 to 1 tutoring this year.
   

• 1,000 was donated to the One to One Children's Fund making the Gil Poulos Memorial Trust a patron of this worthwhile organisation which supports projects in aid of children in Russia, Tanzania and elsewhere.
   

• 650 provided a scholarship enabling an individual to complete a two year programme resulting in a MA in Religious Education
   

• Scholarships of 1,500 enabled three young people to participate in special educational programmes.