Rotary members share a unique passion for taking action to improve their communities and the world. Read this week’s success stories from across Great Britain and Ireland…
Rotary equips preschool in Sierra Leone
Cirencester Rotary
Cirencester Rotary is working with Cotswold charity Help Madina, an organisation improving the health and wellbeing of the people who live in Madina – a small town in north Sierra Leone.
Help Madina was co-founded in 2009 by Dr Veronica Sawicki and her husband Dr Rohit Sethi also from Cirencester.
The club’s recent fundraiser acquired £1,600 which financed new toilets, a roof repair, painted walls and new gates.
Cirencester Rotary’s logo is outside of the preschool, highlighting the improvements made.
Hygiene in the community is also improving rapidly thanks to Rotary donations, with the installation of water wells and better sanitation mechanisms.
Lynn Adlington, a member of Cirencester Rotary is leading the club’s involvement.
She said: “We are proud to raise a great deal of money for both local, national and international charities, we want to ensure that it benefits the greatest number of people possible.
“I’m looking forward to going back next year to see for myself the difference we’ve made, and make the next steps. We are resurfacing and equipping the playground.”
The club provided work for local businesses. Pictured, a young man painting the classroom.
Annual Donkey Derby is a success!
Ruthin Rotary
Each year, the Rotary Club of Ruthin host a Donkey Derby event in Cae Ddol Park. This year, the members invited the local community on Saturday 14th September to get involved.
The event is a huge celebration of the previous year and is the club’s way of thanking everyone who got involved with the various initiatives.
Several hundred people, including with Bob Maskall, District Governor for North Wales, Merseyside, The Wirral, and his wife Kate, enjoyed the autumn sunshine as children took part in the donkey races and the many sideshows that Ruthin Rotary had provided. Gavin Harris, Town Mayor, arrived too.
Duck races were held on the River Clwyd whilst Punch and Judy entertained children and adults. Others enjoyed displays by Blood Bikes and there were several vintage cars and tractors.
The club worked alongside like-minded organisations such as Inner Wheel, who provided refreshments, a burger van and Chilly Cow ice-cream.
Rotary Ruthin – Donkey Derby event. A group of children enjoying Punch and Judy comedy.
Fundraising for beach-friendly wheelchairs
St. Andrews Rotary
Each year, Rotary members from Scotland host an international golf week, attracting around 250 participants from 26 countries across the world.
2019 was the 65th year of the event and since its inception, and over the years, the club has raised thousands of pounds for various charities.
This year, members donated £3,800 to The Hamish Foundation.
The local charity rent out a range of beach wheelchairs free of charge, suitable for children and adults.
Unlike a standard manual wheelchair, the beach design has large, rubber wheels which move easily over the sand.
John Christie, President of St Andrews Rotary, said: “We were delighted to make the donation. The Beach Wheelchairs Project enhances the lives of so many people and we are pleased to be associated with this important charity.”
Wheelchair user Niall Mulligan enjoying West Sands with his dad.
Jerry Beaulier helped to instigate the project, and now closely works by The Hamish Foundation to continue support.
He said: “All in all, the beach wheelchair service allows those who have not been able to access the beach to enjoy the freedom of a beach walk often joined by family members and friends.
“From the feedback received, the service offers a highly memorable day for the users of the beach chairs. We have very exciting plans for 2020 to create a viewing platform and fully accessible walkway through the dunes which will be a fantastic addition to our current project.”
