SpoonPeople
and you just knew what it meant
TRUSTEE ROGER COOKE
ON GEOFF MORRIS
to everyone. Those sorts of
memories will last for ever.”
“GEOFF HAS DONE A GRAND
So what now for Geoff Morris
JOB FOR SPOON AND WORKED
apart from a four hour working
REALLY HARD. HE IS KIND-
HEARTED, A REAL HEART OF
week?
GOLD AND WE HAVE BEEN
“Since the announcement of
FORTUNATE TO HAVE HIM AT
my resignation I have been
SPOON. THE CHARITY HAS
GROWN UNDER HIS AUSPICES
overwhelmed by the number of
AND IT HAS BEEN A messages of support. Initially I am
PLEASURE TO DEAL WITH
going to have a rest. The
SUCH A LOVELY BLOKE. THE
CHARITY HAS BEEN LEFT
priorities going forward are to
BIGGER AND BETTER AS A Suzanne, my wife and my
CONSEQUENCE OF HIS TIME
daughter, Lee and life will be very
AS CEO. HE COULDN’T HAVE
PUT IN MORE WORK OR BEEN
much built around them.
MORE CHARITY MINDED. HE “I look forward to exploring
ALWAYS FOCUSSED ON
record financial returns and the Geoff wasn’t pioneering the new opportunities in the charity
HELPING SPOON AND NOT
ABOUT HELPING HIMSELF
amount of funds distributed to growth of the Charity alone. sector and the business
AND THAT IS SPECIAL. projects to support Over a period of time he put in community and would love to
disadvantaged children increased place a team of consultants, part still be involved in Spoon in some
I HAVE HAD SOME REALLY
FUN TIMES WITH GEOFF,
from £700,000 to £1,700,000 time workers and office staff to way, even if it is just paying my
ATTENDING HIS WEDDING TO last year. These kind of returns help take Spoon forward. membership and attending
SUZANNE IN AMERICA AND
were as a result of hard work “The team is highly effective events.
ALWAYS ENJOY THE SOCIAL
SIDE OF OUR RELATIONSHIP.
and dedication, giving everything and uses their energy and “Life with Spoon over the last
to achieve a positive result. expertise to the collective benefit six years has been a wonderful
SPOON WILL MISS THIS
“I totally believed in what of disadvantaged children. This experience. I have learnt so
SPECIAL PERSON BUT THE
FRIENDSHIPS GEOFF HAS
Spoon was doing and still do. It is team have also become friends much, met so many people and
MADE WILL ALWAYS REMAIN.” very hard to find an excuse not and these friendships will last made so many friends… too
to work once you have visited well beyond this article.” many to thank individually. But
projects such as the Philip Green everyone has a place in my heart
more than my fair share. It has Memorial School in Dorset and Friendship is a strong bond and good memories will follow
been wonderful to work with met people like the Headmistress, within Spoon and many of the me onto the next chapter in my
such enthusiastic and caring Lesley Walter. People like Lesley events encourage friends to join life.”
people and that will ultimately be dedicate 24/7 to improving the in the fun and fundraise
Above: Geoff Morris formed the team
one of my abiding memories. lives of children and young together. The Four Peaks ‘Peaked Too Soon’ to embark on his
“My all time rugby hero is people not so fortunate as the Challenge is one such event and
first Four Peaks Challenge
Gareth Edwards and it was a rest of us. The hours I worked Geoff led by example,
Left: It certainly helped that Geoff
great pleasure to meet him don’t compare. participating in the Challenge
was a keen golfer as his job required
a few rounds a year.
eventually through working with three years running.
Spoon. Gareth is one of many One of my greatest memories “People don’t grasp the
TEN THINGS YOU
who have passed on their best was visiting a project with Gareth camaraderie on this event unless
WOULDN’T KNOW ABOUT
wishes to me in my life after Chilcott. The project had a they have participated. It really is GEOFF MORRIS
Spoon.” A great accolade to special teaching room for incredible. This year I was not
Geoff and his achievements that children with hearing and sight participating. The knees are too
1. Attended 24 consecutive
Trustee meetings and 66
his hero should make such a call. problems. Gareth and I left the old these days, but I was there to Executive Committee
room as a blind child and his welcome the teams after the 48
meetings.
Geoff was the teacher walked in. We looked hour challenge to climb the four
2. Worked for three Spoon
first charity back to see the teacher blow highest peaks in England, Ireland,
Chairmen; Bryan Marsh, David
Allen and Roger Davies.
professional at onto the cheek of the child. Scotland and Wales. There is
Wooden Spoon His face lit up and his head always a great feeling at the post
3. Once had two fundraising
dinners in one evening with
and, while at the followed the breath until event party as the competitors
the great Colin Meads.
helm, he put in their cheeks touched. regale their exploits, compare 4. Was Junior Lincolnshire
place many Gareth and I both looked blisters and soothe aching limbs
Badminton and Javelin
processes and at each other with tears while waiting to see that
Champion.
procedures to in our eyes. It was amazing fundraising total
5. Played in National Schools
Sevens three years running.
help the Charity something so simple but unveiled. Everyone is aware of
6. Delivered speeches at:
run efficiently. He also the importance of that the effort each individual has
Buckingham Palace, Royal
redesigned the interaction was not lost gone through to complete the
Albert Hall, Painted Hall, HMS
Spoon logo, on either of us. It challenge, not just over the last
Victory and rather a lot of
hotels and golf clubs! Over
providing the was a very two days, but also the training 300 in all.
creative flair that is special and fundraising beforehand.
7. Won ‘Equality in Disability’
now synonymous moment “One of the Clifford Chance
Award 1995.
with the Charity and teams was the last off the 8. Once designed a new bus
across the rugby very mountain and limped into the
route in London.
world. inspirational and hotel where those who had
9. Studied tomato production
spurred me on to work already finished were celebrating.
in Europe which led to a
change in Government policy.
For five of his six harder and achieve The whole place spontaneously
10. Won a flower arranging
years as CEO, more.” erupted into applause. The
contest at boarding school.
Geoff delivered respect between teams is huge
30 Spoonews Autumn 2007
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