Folkestone Rotary’s very own marathon master, Ray Johnson, has recently completed his 21st consecutive London Marathon while smashing his target of £100,000 raised for the Kent Association for the Blind (KAB).
My best time was 3 hours, 23 minutes in 2002 and I have already entered the 2022 race which will take place once again in October.”
On a glorious day and with the crowd sparring him on, Ray managed to clock in a time of 04:55:19 nonstop, raising some vital funds in the process.
KAB provide essential training and support to people who are blind, deafblind, or partially sighted, mainly in the Kent area.
Ray already has his eyes on raising more though, saying: “My best time was 3 hours, 23 minutes in 2002 and I have already entered the 2022 race which will take place once again in October.”
You can find more information about donate to Ray on his JustGiving page so he can keep raising money for KAB.
Elsewhere, the Rotary Club of Fareham had cause for celebration as they marked the 75th anniversary of the granting of their charter.
The club members, who have always given their time and talent in support of their local community, were able to enjoy a special dinner with a selection of special guests.
Norman Chapman, President of the Rotary Club of Fareham, said “We welcomed to our event the Mayor & Mayoress of Fareham (Councillor Rotarian Mrs Pamela Bryant and the Mayoress Mrs Louise Clubley), Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire Mr Tim Weale TD DL and our Rotary District Governor Mr Paul Steele, who travelled from his home in Guernsey to join us.
“It was an honour to have them all with us and I thank them for their kind words when addressing club members.”
The club is currently supporting the Hampshire charity Hounds for Heroes, which provides assistance dogs to disabled UK Armed Forces and Emergency Services personnel whose quality of life is improved by their hound.
A raffle took place on the night that raised £605 for Hounds for Heroes – proving the clubs fundraising efforts show no signs of stopping even after 75 years!
This wasn’t the only Rotary anniversary on the cards as it came time for Leighton Linslade Rotary to celebrate the 4th anniversary of their ‘Yes We Can’ programme.
Picking up the baton in October 2017 when the town only had the wonderful Otters Swimming Club, Rotary have worked to develop a number of other sports which now include thriving football, hockey and tennis sections, as well as the most recent addition of sailing.
The participants who are impacted by “Yes We Can” and indeed their families and carers now have the opportunity to take part in sport in a way many of us take for granted.”
Using a unique model, the Rotary team identify outstanding delivery organisations and committed, quality sponsors and coordinate them under the “Yes We Can” umbrella, creating a truly family-friendly approach.
Richard Johnson OBE, Chairman of the Rotary Program Team said: “The unique approach Rotary has taken to delivery while making everyone feel part of the “Yes We Can” family is what makes this such an exciting program to be part of.
“The program is pleased that it has not drawn on Unitary Authority or Central Government Funds but we are proud that we have been able to bring so many quality organisations together for the benefit of people who really need our support.”
Club President Simon Marshall said: “As a Rotary club we couldn’t be prouder of this unique program and the impact it is having on our community. The participants who are impacted by “Yes We Can” and indeed their families and carers now have the opportunity to take part in sport in a way many of us take for granted.”
