Mather Family Blog

End of year report

The volume of Foundation activity and speed with which it is reported is awe inspiring and we feel like Luddites trying to keep up ! So rather belatedly here is our update!

We are now living in Garricks House in Kingston, in David’s flat. It has been a difficult period but we feel better being here in his surroundings as well as enjoying all the delights of city and riverside life... if only we could afford it!

Gareth Irma and Sofia came to stay just 10 days after we moved in and at one stage we were 8 staying in a two bed flat. After downsizing from a 4 bedroom house this was a challenge but everywhere now feels very spacious! It was great having them here though clearly very difficult for Gareth. Sofia is an absolute delight and the most contented child one could ask for. We are lucky to have seen her regularly during her first year and delighted she is going to be bilingual as our Spanish still leaves a lot to be desired.

We have now passed two significant anniversaries, when David left, and his birthday. We are dreading the next milestones but know that we have to face them, and know that we can only do that if we are together.

Lydia has been a tower of strength to us and is an amazing force behind the Foundation. She has demonstrated incredible fortitude and courage which has helped us keep going.

We are both now back in the saddle of work and will keep our noses to the grindstone for a further couple of years. We are both now offering consultancy services as we still need to be able to travel to Argentina at short notice should the trial ever be called and to pursue justice for David. We will not be sending Christmas cards this year for obvious reasons but will make a donation to the Foundation. Despite this we wish everyone a happier and healthy 2010.

Thanks to all of you who continue to offer your love and support, it is very much appreciated

Ian and Ceri

Hostal Centro

Gareth has taken possession of a hostel in the centre of the town, which is very pleasant and doing good business. It is called Hostal Centro (good choice- by previous owners) as it is right in the centre of Salta opposite one of the best restaurants in the city. The previous owners had a website (so the details are a little out of date).

The hostel is on the international Hostel internet sites and is consistently top-ranked.

Court Cases

The criminal case has been continually put back, so we are now looking at next year. It has been given to a higher level judge, who apparently has the power to pass the highest sentences. We are told that this is more likely to result in custodial sentences for the owner and the pilot.

The Civil case is becoming more complicated as the damages suit will now include the local authorities who our legal team are claiming were negligent in their responsibility to control the activities of the company concerned. This could take up to four years to resolve. The amount of damages is difficult to measure and the most likely scenario is an out of court settlement.

Prospective Sponsored Trip Around Argentina:

Ceri and Ian are considering a 10,000 mile trip around the perimeter of Argentina in 2011 in the Foundation Jeep. (pictured prior to having the logo put on.)

The plan would be to visit schools on our way around to offer safety advice and possibly give free bicycle lights and luminous vests. ( The road deaths of young people through having no means of being seen at night are huge!) We would also see if schools are interested in signing up to the Foundations Family of schools which we hope to build in England and Argentina. If we go ahead we would also look to get as much sponsorship as we can. We will also need an on-board mechanic, if anyone is interested!!!