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PATTAYA GAY
FESTIVAL
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2004|
As the season progressed the interest and financial support of participants heightened; from a total income by October of 1.7 million baht, it was possible to almost double this figure at the end of the final four days festival to just over 3.3 million baht. Overall the PGF has raised in the period 2001-2004 the incredible sum of 12,491,798 baht and our current bank balance stands at just over 2.6 million baht after paying all expenses. This ensures that we shall be able to continue to support the main beneficiary of the funds collected by PGF — Heartt 2000 — for at least the ensuing year at the sustainable level of 200,000 baht per month. The acting Treasurer’s report, which will be presented at the PGF Annual General Meeting, will detail income and expenditure for the year and immediately following will be posted on the official PGF website for its usual public scrutiny. During the year two committee members resigned for personal reasons: David Martin, and John Nicholl who has been Treasurer for three years. On behalf of the PGF Committee, I would like to thank both of them for their years of voluntary labour, for their continuing un-official help and support, wise comments and advice and active participation in events. I would also like to place on record my personal thanks to all committee members for their labours behind the scenes and also the unheralded financial input they have made over the years. Although at times during the past four years it has sometimes been difficult for all the committee members to work in unison, I very much appreciate everyone’s respect to myself as Committee Chairman in the work that I have been personally entrusted with to find compromises for the overall benefit of PGF. The success of Pattaya Gay Festival and its position as the best festival of its kind in Thailand is a striking symbol of how adopting the Buddhist principle of finding a middle way through all difficulties can achieve something positive and rewarding. I should also like to recognize the Festival’s special thanks to Brian Wigley www.boxertravels.com who this year managed the PGP website. His enthusiasm in recording in words and photos PGF activities has undoubtedly publicized the Festival to a greater extent than was hitherto possible and led to greater attendances at events. His ideas for the forthcoming year and continued efforts are much appreciated. Our thanks too, for the continuing work of Dr Philippe Seur and Dr Jeerarat of Chonburi Hospital whose patient-list has increased significantly since last year. Philippe’s efforts to secure lower-cost, but effective generic anti-HIV drugs have continued to be successful and many more patients have been able to face the future with hope. No praise is sufficient for the work that he and his colleagues have undertaken voluntarily for Pattaya’s less fortunate. In December, Dennis Dewsnap through PGF presented a cheque for 300,000 baht to Heartt 2000 representing 50% of the income from the sale of his book “What’s sex got to do with it”. This is the story of his life with his over forty year partner Syd Wood who sadly died in 2003; the remaining 50% from sales being donated to the Tangier Crèche for Abandoned Children. The PGF very much appreciates not only this significant donation but also looks forward to being the beneficiary of part of the proceeds from re-printing. Both Syd and Dennis have been enthusiastic supporters of PGF from its inception. It is important too, that 2004 saw the work of the Festival’s originator, Jim Lumsden, recognized by two very differing organizations: in the summer Pattaya Rotary Club awarded him personally a Paul Harris Fellowship for his charitable work in the Pattaya community and towards the end of the year he was the recipient of an award from Utopia for his charitable contribution to the gay community in Asia. These awards he was gracious enough to accept on behalf of PGF. Such unsolicited awards have added considerably to the credibility of the PGF in general as well as being recognition of Jim’s continued hard work. Although the event happened after the close of PGF 2004, the disastrous Tsunami which hit south-eastern Thailand on 26 December cannot pass without comment. The PGF has yet to make a financial response, but it is to be hoped that a significant contribution — perhaps educational scholarships — will be considered by the new committee early in 2005. Although the short term needs of those affected in Thailand has already been addressed both locally and internationally on a scale hitherto unprecedented, long term help is still needed and the PGF is well placed to make a significant donation without jeopardizing its commitment to Heartt 2000. In conclusion, and in common with every year that I have had the privilege of speaking on behalf of the PGF Organising Committee, I would like to thank all our members, sponsors and contributors for their support this year; it is impossible to name them all individually and many, who also make significant contributions to other charitable organizations, have expressed the desire not to be named. To all of you a very special ‘thank you’ mainly from the many patients we were jointly able to help this year. Without your practical and financial support it would have been impossible to be able to report a fourth consecutive successful year for Pattaya Gay Festival.
Committee Members
2004 John Nicholl Treasurer to Oct, then acting Allan Sherratt Committee Secretary
Hans
Frisch
Publicity Richard Burk Lukas Habersaat Jomtien Events
David
Martin
to July |
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Total income for
the financial year ending 31 December 2004 was Baht 3.3
million, which exceeded the
Compared to last
year the total income was higher by Baht 680,000, which was
due to an earlier start to
Membership Fees
increased to Baht 265,000 representing 27 members, a
shortfall of 3 on the target set for
Administration
fees were zero for the year and 91% of total income was
available for donation to worthy
HEART 2000 was
the only beneficiary during 2004, receiving a total in
excess of Baht 2.8 million.
During the year
there were many events organised by the PGF Members, which
raised 20 % of the
The Bank Balance
at 31 December 2004 was Baht 2.6 million, which secures the
contributions to
Signed John
Nicholl
Signed
Michael Burchall |
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Signed by Chairman and the Accountant. |
