Rotary’s efforts to support communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic has been recognised by the House of Commons.
Owen Thompson, the Member of Parliament for Midlothian, and the SNP’s Deputy Chief Whip, received widespread support in an early day motion.
It commended the efforts of Esk Valley Rotary, along with the Eskbank and Newbattle Community Council for their support in donating televisions to the Highbank Care Home.
Rotary’s efforts to support communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic has been recognised by the House of Commons.”
The motion said: “This House applauds the community response to social isolation in Highbank Care Home; welcomes efforts by the Rotary Club of Esk Valley and Eskbank and Newbattle Community Council to gather and donate TVs to care home residents feeling isolated; understands that the 40 residents, all aged over 60, are having to remain in their rooms for up to 24hrs a day, with none of their usual communal activities currently available and a number of residents previously having no access to television in their rooms; applauds the Rotary Club of Esk Valley and Eskbank and Newbattle Community Council for their organising efforts; and further applauds the collections of toiletries handed in from Newbattle Abbey Crescent, and W H Smith and Tesco in Dalkeith donating arts and crafts activities and books.”
Rotary clubs continue to work closely supporting the NHS and also medical support staff.
In Hampshire, Fareham Rotary has got involved with the ‘Team Scrubbers’ project by providing financial support.
In Hampshire, Fareham Rotary has got involved with the ‘Team Scrubbers’ project by providing financial support.
Angela Bartlett, the daughter of Rotarian Tom Churchill, is co-ordinating a team of nearly 200 volunteers who are helping the NHS in Southampton and Portsmouth.
The team of machinists are providing the huge quantities of scrubs needed by the NHS hospitals in the area, along with the hospices, community nurses, well-being groups, mental health teams and surgeries.
Tom Churchill said: “I was delighted to support my daughter with her request to our club. Team Scrubbers have made hundreds of scrubs already and now they have more money to help the NHS during the current crisis.”
Team Scrubbers have made hundreds of scrubs already and now they have more money to help the NHS during the current crisis.”
Photos enclosed show: Junior Doctors at QA in their new scrubs and grateful staff at the Rowans Hospice.
In neighbouring Dorset, when Bournemouth General Hospital was seeking donations for a rest area for staff looking after patients with coronavirus, Jill Vicefield of Christchurch Rotary was able to generate financial support to buy a gazebo.
The gazebo was placed in the grounds, equipped with chairs and tea-making equipment, and filled with plants, donated by Stewarts, plus a supply of magazines.
Bournemouth Hospital charity fund-raising manager, Karen Smith, said: “Thank you Christchurch Rotary for responding to our request for help. Your support has been invaluable.”
Photograph shows the Stroke Unit staff using the gazebo
Nearby, Rotarians Terry Conner and Mary Turner of Becton & District Rotary in the New Forest, in conjunction with some of the ladies of Lymington Rotary have initiated a new project that is gathering pace. Knitted hearts!
The project originated from an idea by Laura Kirby Deacon, who works as a Sister at the Intensive Care Unit of the Great Western Hospital at Swindon.
The hearts are such a wonderful idea and make a real difference to our patients and their families at this most difficult time.”
The hearts are knitted and bagged as pairs, one is given to the patient and one to the family.
Experience has shown that they bring great comfort to families who have not been able to see or be with their loved ones during their hospitalisation.
The idea is currently having tremendous interest around the country.
The first batch of hearts have been delivered to Southampton, Bournemouth and Lymington Hospitals where they have been well received.
Karen Smith from Bournemouth Hospital said: “Thank you so much for your lovely email and the kindness of the ladies of Becton Rotary and Lymington Rotary.
“The hearts are such a wonderful idea and make a real difference to our patients and their families at this most difficult time.”
The club’s first objective is to knit and provide 150 pairs. If demand dictates there is a possibility the scheme may be extended to include local care homes.
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In Devon, Yelverton Rotary’s Pam Law has been busy sewing again.
Having satisfied an entire care home’s face mask needs, she turned her trusty sewing machine to making scrubs trousers.
When she is not sewing, Pam is volunteering with Tavistock Locals Help Area E – doing shopping on behalf of vulnerable people and delivering it to their homes; taking items to the post for them; collecting and delivering medication; and whatever else people need.
Astley Rotary in Greater Manchester has been supplying tablets to hospices in the area as part of their COVID-19 project so that loved ones can stay in touch. The final part was tediously putting on screen protectors and stickers.
In Berkshire, Reading Maiden Erlegh Rotary is working on a number of front. It is supporting the Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Northamptonshire Blood Bikes scheme through their coronavirus relief fund.
This is a volunteer organisation which supports the NHS with a rapid response courier service, out of hours, delivering blood products. In response to COVID-19, they are continuing to provide their services to the NHS free of charge, including transportation of urgent samples for testing and analysis.
The club has donated to the Berkshire – For the Love of Scrubs initiative, which is trying to raise £10,000 to buy materials to fund the making of scrubs and other personal protection equipment for hospitals, GP surgeries and medical centres in Berkshire.
Members of the Inner Wheel Club of Reading Maiden Erlegh are helping by sewing some of the scrubs.
And the Rotary club is supporting with Hare Hatch Sheeplands, the Woodley Food Bank and Cirdic.
With pix
