It was an exciting day in Essex as Keith Brownlie, Halstead Rotary Club member and District Governor for Rotary District 1240 Essex and East Herts, signed the Armed Forces Covenant. with Colchester Garrison Commander Lt Colonel E. L. Rankin AGC (ETS).
150 Rotarians and partners gathered during their Rotary Conference at Potters Resort, Five Lakes as Keith signed the Covenant alongside Colchester Garrison Commander Lt Colonel E. L. Rankin AGC (ETS).
The Armed Forces Covenant was introduced in 2000 as a form of promise from the U.K. that ensures those who serve or who have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly.
The aims of Keith’s signing of the Armed Forces Covenant are:
- To encourage local communities, including Rotary, to work together with the Armed Forces community.
- To nurture public understanding and awareness of the issues faced by the Armed Forces.
- To recognise and remember the sacrifices faced by our Armed Forces.
- To encourage activities which help integrate the Armed Forces community into local life.
With Lt Col Rankin’s cooperation, Rotary District 1240 is looking to set up a new Rotary club at the Pegasus Club, Colchester in September.
Amongst District 1240 Rotarians, there are those who have the skills and capabilities to offer mentoring and job advice to the Armed Forces community using the Rotary Great Britain and Ireland network.
Rotary, and Chelmer Bridge Rotary Club, have recently raised over £65k for Forces charities with sales of the Rotary poppy pin.
The Covenant also encourages the Armed Forces community to help support the wider community, perfectly aligning with Rotary’s core values.
Keith, who himself served in the Corps of Royal Engineers and holds the Territorial Decoration with Bar, believes that this cooperation could grow to become a much wider Rotary initiative.
