Property Management

Alresford Rotary February 2021

Shoebox 2020

Last Autumn Alresford Rotary’s involvement in the Rotary Wessex Christmas shoebox scheme was supported by (with apologies for any omissions) both Sun Hill schools, Cheriton Primary school, St Peters R.C. Primary school (Winchester), the Old Alresford Mothers Union, Northington & Swarraton W.I., New Alresford W.I., Churches Together in Alresford and many others in the Itchen Valley area. Some 235 boxes of gifts were donated, about two thirds of the number collected in 2019 but a tremendous effort given the challenges we all faced last year.

In early January the Rotary District organiser Geoff Philpott reported (making particular mention of Alresford): “A huge thank you to all the clubs who felt able to take part in the scheme this year. It has been a challenge for all, especially as there has also been a mixed response from the schools who normally support the scheme. Some could not support our scheme and others felt it important to support local charities, such as food banks in their communities, all of which is perfectly understandable. That being said, with the fantastic effort put in by over half the clubs who normally participate, we have a collection this year of 14,442 boxes donated by our generous children and adults throughout Wessex and the islands plus 24 cartons of knitted woollen clothes donated by ladies in Alresford and the Isle of Wight.

That is an impressive collection considering the environment we find ourselves in this year. Our depot operation this year has also been considerably eased. Shears Brothers (Transport) Ltd, who are based at Bournemouth International Airport Business Park, are providing storage for us with the pallets stored in high bay racking in a dry warehouse. They are providing free of charge all the effort to move the pallets around the warehouse. Shears Brothers has also arranged free collection of boxes from the Isle of Wight and pallets to and from Channel Seaways at Poole. One of their staff members, Bob Kimber, who is the Warehouse Manager provided tremendous support, volunteering to help us over two weekends. That extra support made our lives very much easier, many thanks to Paul Bulpitt and his team at Shears. Some members in (the Rotary) District have questioned our decision to proceed with the collection. The “demand” has not gone away, in fact it has increased. All of the countries to whom we send our gifts are struggling with COVID-19 and they are also having to support increases in their refugee camps, as they are on the front line between Asia and Europe. I have been in communication with Luminita Suveica, President of Chisinau Rotary, Moldova. I had to advise her that because of the second lockdown our delivery will be delayed. I give you her reply:

“At first I want say you that my colleagues and I are very grateful to you for the gifts we receive for children in Moldova. Now the situation with COVID-19 is getting worse all over the world. In our country with a population of 3 million, we have 1600 cases detected daily, of which 25% are medical workers. 60 doctors died because COVID-19. We have almost 100,000 cases in Moldova. I'm a doctor and I know the situation well. We understand the situation perfect so you don't worry if the gifts will be late in this year.”

With the collection made, we shall still be able to send over 3,500 boxes to each country we support and all four have confirmed their gratitude and willingness to have them in the new year. However, as we are now not sending them until January, I am faced with additional paperwork and customs procedures in connection with which I am getting fantastic support from Meachers of Southampton.”

Thank you for your support. If you wish to be involved next Autumn or are at any time interested in helping or joining Alresford Rotary and making a difference to others Rotary would be delighted to hear from you.

James Pinniger www.alresfordrotry.co.uk rotaryalresford@gmail.com