Rotary Magazine

Ken Robertshaw knows all too well the horrors of terrorism. In 1997, his aunt, her daughter and granddaughter were among 62 people, mainly tourists, who were killed at an archaeological site in Luxor, Egypt.

Dundee Rotarians are volunteering as ‘white van men’ to distribute surplus in-date supermarket food to charities.

Tim Cowling of Farringdon & District Rotary Club discusses how the Rotary Leadership and Management programme has helped young people develop over the years since it started.

At the Rotary Conference & Showcase in Nottingham last month, the Champions Awards recognised outstanding humanitarian and community service conducted by volunteers from across Great Britain and Ireland.

Love Food Hate Waste is a movement promoting a greener lifestyle across Great Britain and Ireland, and it is spreading the message to other countries across the world.

Community food club The Port Grocery has appointed serial entrepreneur Gordon Vickers as its patron – after a year of rapid growth.

Rotary has been open to women for 35 years, yet for many, Rotary is seen traditionally as a male dominated organisation. The Colchester Gazette recently published this article focusing on how District Governor, Lesley Sulley, is breaking the male-only perception.

For many, visiting Chicago is a pilgrimage to the home of the founder of Rotary, Paul Harris, is a must. Dave King follows that trail and speaks to the movers behind plans to renovate the founder’s home.

Nadine Pemberton, Rotary member and anti-racism and diversity educator reflects on how Rotary needs to change and be the change to end racism.

At the Rotary Conference & Showcase in Nottingham last month, the Champions Awards recognised outstanding humanitarian and community service conducted by volunteers from across Great Britain and Ireland.

The English organ donation law is changing in 2020 to help save more lives. The change already exists in Wales, and there are plans afoot in Scotland to follow the other nations’ lead. But what does it mean?

Gareth Cheesman from Rotary Llantwit Major in South Wales has enjoyed close ties with the Philippines since visiting the country as a Group Study Exchange team leader in 2012. When a devastating typhoon decimated the south-east Asian country a year later, Gareth was at the forefront of a Rotary project to help fishermen who had lost their boats in the storm. Here he tells the story.

At the Rotary Conference & Showcase in Nottingham last month, the Champions Awards recognised outstanding humanitarian and community service conducted by volunteers from across Great Britain and Ireland.

Meet 12-year-old Alana Habergham-Rice, whose venture, Alana’s Caring Cakes, is making a big impression in South Yorkshire.

Remarkable young people from across Britain and Ireland are being recognised by the Rotary Young Citizen Awards in 2019. The accolades celebrate the positive citizenship and responsibilities which are shown by many young people through hard work, inspirational ideas and a determination to help others and make a difference, writes Eve Conway.

How a collaboration between two Rotary clubs across the pond led to hundreds of primary school children having access to warm winter clothing.

Sailor Will Sears from Dorset is the winner of the first Rotary Young Citizen Sporting Hero Award.

At the Rotary Conference & Showcase in Nottingham last month, the Champions Awards recognised outstanding humanitarian and community service conducted by volunteers from across Great Britain and Ireland.

Sheenah Nelson from Helensburgh Garelochside Rotary in the west of Scotland, has won a Rotary Champions Award for her work as the Heartstart co-ordinator. Here, Sheenah describes her work.

Dr Ludwig Guttman was a highly respected Jewish neuro surgeon living in Nazi Germany. He managed to escape his homeland shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War and he has left a legacy to disabled sport, 70 years on.

Eve Conway, Founder and Co-ordinator of the Rotary Young Citizen Awards reflects on some of the talented and hard-working youngsters who, over the years, have previously won this prestigious honour.

Following the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on events across the world, the difficult decision was taken to postpone Volunteer Expo, but sights are firmly set on bringing the event to life on the newly confirmed date of 7th – 9th May 2021.

Rotarians have devised creative ways to raise money for End Polio Now, but Passionately Purple Gin and a new honey creation are proving a big hit.

The Worry Tree Café was the inspiration of Millie Corke to help those with mental health issues. Dave King caught up with Millie who explains the journey she has been on.

Iqra Khan, nominated by Bradford Rotary, is this year’s Rotary Young Citizen Peacemaker Award winner.

Peter Swan, Community Champion 2020, has transformed one of the poorest districts in Tanzania, simply by providing the resources for children to receive a full education.

At the Rotary Conference & Showcase in Nottingham last month, the Champions Awards recognised outstanding humanitarian and community service conducted by volunteers from across Great Britain and Ireland.

The largest ever Rotary Foundation Global Grant to be awarded to a project based in Great Britain and Ireland will dramatically improve access to radiotherapy and cancer treatment in the south of England.

Don’t mention Brexit to the Rotarians in Gibraltar. The British overseas territory, sitting on the border with Spain and overlooking North Africa, has its ties firmly linked to Rotary in Great Britain & Ireland.

Dr Frankie Dormon has been at the heart of a maternity project to Africa for the past decade which has been closely supported by Rotary clubs in Dorset. Here she tells the story of their journey.

Nicki Scott, Rotary International Director from 2021, reflects on the togetherTalks, which she co-hosts online each Tuesday.

The Rotary Saving Lives project is on a mission to make sure we all have access to defibrillators across Gloucestershire and beyond.

As we look ahead to Volunteer Expo, Rotary’s brand new event, we spoke to five organisations about why they’re getting involved.

How do you engage the elderly? The answer is through cycling. Nick Corke from Rotary Framlingham describes how their innovative two-wheeled project is having an impact in East Anglia.

At the Rotary Conference & Showcase in Nottingham last month, the Champions Awards recognised outstanding humanitarian and community service conducted by volunteers from across Great Britain and Ireland.

We spoke to a number of charities and organisations joining the line up of exhibitors for Volunteer Expo in 2021 about how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted them, their volunteers and their ability to deliver vital services.

Passport clubs are a new mobile way of doing Rotary. Steve Martin has formed the Rotary North Wales & North-West England Passport Club, and he explains what it is all about.

The city of Nottingham will be hosting this year’s Rotary GBI conference – but with a twist.

What is being watched, posted, liked, shared and tweeted around Rotary, COVID-19 and more in the world of social media.

Alicia Reade has been a member of Doncaster Rotary since 2015. She is a self-employed songwriter, a music teacher and an IT Consultant. Last year, she undertook an unusual project for her district, and here she tells her story.

For 25 years, the Rotary Shoebox Scheme has been putting smiles on the faces of children in Eastern Europe with gifts which can really make a difference.

Teacher Sue Pomeroy describes the schools’ project in Zambia which has been the focus of her club, Bourne End & Cookham Rotary.

Chris Wells made a big hit at last summer’s Rotary International Convention in Hamburg where he talked about his journey with Rotaract and also dealing with mental health.

At the Rotary Conference & Showcase in Nottingham last month, the Champions Awards recognised outstanding humanitarian and community service conducted by volunteers from across Great Britain and Ireland.

It is now estimated that as many as 13.6 million people in the UK are unpaid carers, looking after loved ones who are older, disabled or seriously ill. Now a 12-month partnership between Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland and Carers UK will help make caring visible across the UK.

The Rotary Foundation is Rotary’s own charity. It funds projects in the seven areas of focus locally, nationally and internationally, which really make a difference to people’s lives.

Roy Budd was a renowned composer and a Rotarian who died of a brain haemorrhage just weeks before the premiere in London of one of his most ambitious musical projects.

The Rotary Leadership and Management Programme is an award for young people endorsed by the Institute of Leadership and Management. Tim Cowling, from Faringdon Rotary in Oxfordshire, explains what it’s all about.

The Hospice Biographers is a unique project founded by a London Rotarian, which provides families with a legacy from loved ones.

An ageing population with improved life expectancy, means that the demand for unpaid carers is growing rapidly. Dr Cheryle Berry, co-team leader for Rotary GB&I Humanitarian Service explains what Rotary can do.

It’s the world’s first Rotary 24 hour radio station and looking to grow with the help of Rotarians from across the isles.

What is being watched, posted, liked, shared and tweeted around Rotary, COVID-19 and more in the world of social media.

On the eve of World Polio Day, Rotary ambassador, Ade Adepitan, met university students at Wembley Stadium to help them understand the disease.

Malcolm Campbell has worked in the textile industry for 50 years, but in recent times, the Yorkshire Rotarian has found a fresh vocation – as a successful children’s author.

Rotary clubs are again lending their support to The Stroke Association to raise awareness of the dangers of high blood pressure.

Margaret Abbett, the current President of Swansea Rotary, reflects on the centenary of the proud Welsh club chronicled through a unique volume of books.

Two Welsh Rotary clubs, both different in approach, have opted to merge to benefit their community.

It is one of the showpieces of the Rotary calendar, an opportunity to shine the spotlight on sometimes reluctant heroes, who go the extra mile in their communities. Meet this year’s Rotary Champions of Change.

For over 50 years, the International Caravanning Fellowship of Rotarians has been uniting members from around the world in a common interest of meeting new people and visiting new places.

Jannine Birtwistle has a passion – and that passion is Rotary’s fight against polio. The Guernsey-based Rotarian explains her motivation for being at the forefront of the End Polio Now campaign.

What began as a genteel day out to a theme park in Surrey for a handful of disadvantaged children 28 years ago, has fast become a major Rotary activity across the UK with 680,000 youngsters benefiting.

Rotary’s road trip gets into gear, motoring for End Polio Now.

With plenty of friendship and effort, members from a Rotary club in North Wales have fitted safe learning areas in Budapest for the benefit of many young children.