In these days of lockdown with meetings online and few fund-raising events, Rotarians around the world are looking for different ways to raise money for charities to support their local communities.
Knighton Rotary in Shropshire is no different and member Angie Ellis had the great idea of doing a marathon in her garden to raise money for the club’s charity account.
It took Angie three days to complete the task, completing 10 miles on the first day, with husband and fellow Rotarian Keith, keeping score of the laps.
Angie Ellis had the great idea of doing a marathon in her garden to raise money for the club’s charity account.
She ticked off 10 more miles on day two, nursing some painful blisters by the end of the run.
And on the third day, the brave Rotarian completed 380 circuits around her garden to complete the final six miles.
“Those last six miles were the worst,” said Angie afterwards. “But I did it, and Keith will verify this fact as he counted each and every circuit.
“It seemed appropriate somehow that the finish line ribbon was a toilet roll!”
Angie raised more than ÂŁ500 which will support the community in Knighton, Presteigne and beyond.
It was pier to pier for Welsh Rotarian Ashok Harshey, who took part in a 22-mile sponsored walk on behalf of two charities.
A member of Llandudno Rotary in North Wales, Ashok walked from Llandudno Pier to Bangor Pier, accompanied by Rotarian Ian Trevette for the first 10 miles. He was then joined at Llanfairfechan by two walking friends, Doug and Beryl, for the remaining 10 miles to Bangor. The walk took eight hours.
It was pier to pier for Welsh Rotarian Ashok Harshey, who took part in a 22-mile sponsored walk on behalf of two charities.
About 50 friends, Rotarians and other well-wishers sponsored Ashok to the tune of ÂŁ1,200, which is to be divided equally between the Llandudno Hope Restored Foodbank and the Khayesitsha Foodbank, Cape Town, South Africa.
Llandudno Rotary has worked in partnership with Sea Point Rotary Club in Cape Town on a number of projects for some years, notably the Ilitha pre-school project, which goes from strength to strength.
Meanwhile in Somerset, members of Langport and Somerton Rotary have been raising funds through providing a grave-tending service.
The club has been offering the service for four months now. “The idea came from one of our members, Gerald Tucker,” explained club President, Joy Bailey.
“This year, as President of Langport & Somerton Rotary Club, I wanted to be more service-focussed than fund-raising, and with COVID-19 this has been our way forward.
“I thought grave tending was a nice thing to do for people and the club agreed.”
This year, as President of Langport & Somerton Rotary Club, I wanted to be more service-focussed than fund-raising, and with COVID-19 this has been our way forward.”
The club has been covering cemeteries in the Langport area, and Joy reports that the have been tending three graves.
So far, they have raised ÂŁ225, which will be split between a homeless charity in Taunton called Arc and a club fund to help local individuals.
Money had been donated to two Girl Scouts raising money to go on a trip to Kenya to volunteer in a school helping destitute and orphaned children, and a family needing help to buy school uniform for three children.
