Fareham Rotary, in Portsmouth Harbour, supported a team of volunteers who swam 1 kilometre in the river Solent in aid of the Rainbow Centre in Fareham.
The Centre is a charity that supports local children affected by neurological conditions and teaches them how to live their lives to the full.
The club’s President, Pam Marsden has commented about the campaign and the need for the funds being raised.
He said: “We have a specific and wonderful campaign to help The Rainbow Centre in 2022-2023 and that is to raise sufficient funds for a Rotary Rainbow Roundabout for them.
“The current playground is not suitable for children of all abilities, and we want to provide a roundabout that is accessible to all including those in wheelchairs.”
Fareham volunteers coming back from their swim
This project was the brainchild of Lesley Charlton of Titchfield Common who gathered her ‘aqua team’ to support the local charity.
she said: “I enjoy swimming in the Solent regularly, as do some of my friends.
“When I heard that the Rotary Club of Fareham were trying to raise funds for this special roundabout, I thought it would be a fun way to help.”
£230 has been raised so far with more coming in.
Torbay, Totnes and Dartmouth Rotary have formed a partnership with Physionet since 2021.
Since then, the clubs have collected unwanted or redundant disability equipment from local care homes.
A team of Rotary volunteers descended on the store in Torquay where the clubs keep the equipment collected to load a Luton van full of equipment, wheelchairs, walking frames, strollers, commodes, and much else besides.
Truck full of equipment for physionet
This was then all driven up to Physionet’s regional store north of Bristol by Nick Hindmarsh (Rotary Club of Dartmouth) and Steve Holdup (Sunrise Rotary Club).
The equipment will now make up much of the next container that is bound for Fiji.
Many developing countries do not provide adequate access to even the simplest mobility aids.
This means many of the poorest disabled people are forced to live in isolation and do not have any support to increase mobility.
Channel Rotary`s President, Gary Calver has presented a £500 cheque to Brigitte Orasinski, Artistic Director of Strange Cargo in continued support of the next generation of children and as part of our local community.
Gary Calver spoke about the carnival hosted to help the local youth.
He said: “Folkestone Channel Rotary is pleased to support Strange Cargo once again in putting on their Charivari Day on 16 July, this carnival brings joy and life, something that we all need as we leave lockdown behind us.
Charivari parade with drummers and live music.
“Strange Cargo used the funds to help children to develop their artistic skills to make fantastic costumes for this colourful event, which has engaged hundreds of Primary School pupils each year”.
In response, Brigitte Orasiniski, Artistic Director said: “2022 is Charivari Day’s 25th anniversary and after three years we were able to put on our normal parade.
“As with all our activities, Charivari is free for people to join in and therefore relies on funding being secured from a range of partners.
“Strange Cargo would like to send their sincere thanks to Channel Rotary Club for their continued support of this important community project.”
Folkestone Channel Rotary bike ride raised over £7,000 for good causes.
The annual bike ride is a total of 100 miles however each contestant can complete a route to suit their own ability whether it is 30, 50, 80 or the whole 100 miles.
The ride is not a race but a personal sponsored challenge.
Participants of the bike ride resting after their ride.
The first 100-mile contestant home was thrilled with his time at an average of over 20 mph. Another finished the 50-mile route, it was her first time in 50 years since her teens.
Some participants had cycled from home just to get a few more miles in. Others had camped down the road on the night before.
With 250 cyclists, including two penny farthings and two tandems the club raised over £7000 for charity.
Everyone had a great day and the goodwill continues as the club will distribute the funds to those in hardship and need throughout the locality.
Children receive their dictionaries together with club Chairman, Arthur Law.
The Wylde Green Club in Sutton Coldfield has donated 93 dictionaries to Year 3 pupils at Walmley Primary School and 93 to Year 5 pupils at Yenton Primary.
Further deliveries will be made to Penns Primary and Wylde Green Primary in September.
The Club has been most grateful to receive help with the funding of this well-established project from the Rotary Foundation by way of a District Grant.
