Rotary Magazine December 2015 - January 2016

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Médecins Sans Frontières 10 Freewheelers 20 Commonwealth Secretary 26 Santa Fun Runs 32

December/January 2016 www.rotarygbi.org £2.95

The magazine of Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland

16 6 KOFI ANNAN

Bringing World Peace to Nations

FREEWHEELERS

2 // ROTARY

www.rotarygbi.org

www.rotarygbi.org

ROTARY // 3

Talk from the top...

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT 2015/16 I KR RAVINDRAN

W

hen the Canadian army liberated the Netherlands in 1945, they found the country on the brink of starvation. Seeing the suffering of so many, and especially moved by the faces of the children, four Canadian privates stationed near Apeldoorn that year decided to make that Christmas special for as many Dutch children as they could.

Together, they made the rounds among their fellow soldiers, collecting chocolate bars and chewing gum, candy and comic books. In their spare moments, they built toy trucks out of wood and wire, sawed scrap lumber for building blocks; one, risking the military police, sold his cigarette ration on the black market, using the money to buy rag dolls. Each thought longingly of his own family at home; each channelled his energies instead toward the children whose Christmas they knew they could brighten.

By 1st December, four sacks of gifts lay ready; the soldiers eagerly looked forward to the 25th. But two days later, they learned the date they were to depart for Canada: 6th December, long before Christmas. With mixed emotions, the soldiers decided that the best plan simply would be to take their sacks over to the local orphanage and leave them there to await Christmas.

The night before they were to leave the Netherlands, the four set off for the orphanage, one of them in a makeshift white beard and red cap. On their way, they were surprised to hear church bells ringing and see houses lit brightly, with Christmas still some weeks away. As they approached the orphanage, boots crunching in the snow, they saw through the windows that the children, two dozen girls and boys, were gathered at their evening meal. Only a few months after the war’s end, food was still scarce; the meal was small, and the children’s faces pale and thin.

4 // ROTARY 4 // ROTARY

Through acts of caring, kindness and generosity, in our clubs and through our Foundation, we become and remain a gift to the world.”

‘Santa Claus’ raised the knocker on the door and knocked three times, hard. As if by magic, the chatter of young voices inside fell silent; a priest opened the door. His polite expression gave way to one of shock, as the children behind him erupted into cheers, rushing forward and swarming the private who had dressed for Christmas three weeks early – but exactly on time. In the Netherlands, Sinterklaas comes on St. Nicholas Eve: 5th December.

For an hour, joyful chaos reigned as packages were opened, sweets were tasted, dolls caressed.

The last wooden truck, the last bar of chocolate, went into the hands of a little boy who had been waiting patiently all the while. After thanking the men, he turned to the priest and said something to him in Dutch, his face alight with happiness. The priest smiled and nodded. “What did he say?” one of the soldiers asked. The priest looked at them with eyes full of tears: “He said, ‘we told you he would come.”

By sending joy out into the world, we do not sacrifice it for ourselves – we only multiply it.

As we enter this season of giving, let us multiply the gifts we have been given by sharing them with others. Through acts of caring, kindness and generosity, in our clubs and through our Foundation, we become and remain a gift to the world.

•

KR RAVINDRAN

RI PRESIDENT

www.rotarygbi.org

16

10

Kofi Annan Foundation

22

32 45

20

REGULARS

FROM THE TOP

04

PRESIDENT MESSAGE

19

A Christmas message of hope from RI President KR Ravindran

How your skills can make a difference

BIG INTERVIEWS

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL 23

Director and the Rotary Foundation

MEET & GREET

A view from a dynamic new Rotarian

ROTARY IN ACTION

MEMBERSHIP 40 ROTARY EFFECT

46

IT’S GONE VIRAL

50

What’s causing a buzz on social media?

Médecins Sans Frontières Kofi Annan Foundation Freewheelers: Saving lives

10 16 20

30

It's easy, find out more

Catching up with the latest news from clubs around Great Britain & Ireland

What’s inside

Reading Charity Art Fair Vocational Service Duke of Edinburgh Award Santa Fun Run Anatomy of a Rotary Club Rotary Ride

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL

06 08 22 32 36 45

Hanging Baskets of Rochdale 14 Commonwealth Secretary 26 Rotary Around the World 28 Interact Profile 34 Aquabox 38

fyi

Get in touch...

Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland, Kinwarton Road, Alcester, Warwickshire B49 6PB t: 01789 765 411 Got a story for us? Send it in (with a good quality picture) to editor@rotarygbi.org

ROTARY ONLINE Look us up online at rotarygbi.org or follow us on Facebook: /RotaryinGBI Twitter: @RotaryGBI LinkedIn: Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland

www.rotarygbi.org

Managing Editor: Allan Berry e: editor@rotarygbi.org PR Officer: e: pr@rotarygbi.org Designer: Martin Tandy e: martin.tandy@rotarygbi.org

Advertising: Media Shed (Agents for Rotary) Contact: Gareth Macfarlane t: 01354 818009 • e: garethm@media-shed.co.uk

Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the editors or Rotary. Every effort is made to ensure that the magazine’s content is accurate. Information is published in good faith but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience arising from error or omission.

Advertisements are accepted at face value and no liability can be accepted for the actions of advertisers. The editors welcome contributions of articles, news items, photographs and letters but are under no obligation to publish unsolicited material. The editors reserve the right to edit for clarity or length. Contributors must ensure that all material submitted is not in breach of copyright or that if such material is submitted they have obtained any necessary permission, in writing, for its reproduction. While every care will be taken with material submitted to Rotary magazine, no responsibility can be accepted for loss or damage.

ROTARY // 5

ROTARY IN ACTION

Reading works of art

Van Gogh visits Reading An original way of raising donations for equipment in a local hospital brought artists along to display and sell their works.

Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers'

I

f the local hospital requires funds to help pay for a much needed state of the art ultrasound scanner, where do they turn? Well, the Royal Berkshire Hospital approached the Rotary Club of Maiden Erlegh, and the members decided their annual charity art fair would be a good platform to help raise the required funds.

The Reading Charity Arts Fair is in its eighth year and was held at St Joseph’s College in Reading in the last weekend of October. To promote the fair, the club members took to the streets of Reading, where a couple of weeks before the event, young people were given a masterclass by Rotarian Yuliya Lennon on painting in the style of Vincent van Gogh. The finished art work, a painting of a vase of flowers, was auctioned at the Art Fair, fetching a creditable £160.

The Reading Charity Art Fair was opened by the local MP Richard Benyon at a preview party. On display were 400 works of art supplied by 95 local artists. Visitors did not just go along to view the works of art, since various activities were arranged for all ages. The Reading Guild of Artists ran workshops, a caricaturist demonstrated their

6 // ROTARY

Colouring in Reading skyline

We wanted to make it a true local community event for all ages and all standards of artists.” skills, and visitors were given the chance to contribute to a painting of the Reading skyline. Children were catered for with the painting of a ceramic Halloween pumpkin to take home.

The Arts Café was run by the Inner Wheel Club of Reading Erlegh. Judging the works of art were Rotarian artists and a garden designer, who praised the standard of work being presented.

The President of the Rotary Club of Maiden Erlegh, Rose Burgess, commented: “This event is now well-established in the annual local arts calendar and we wanted to make it a true local community event for all ages and all standards of artists. We thank them all for taking part and contributing some of the proceeds of their works. With your help, we are well on the way to raising

necessary funds to purchase the ultrasound scanner. Thank you.”

The ultrasound scanner for the Royal Berkshire Hospital costs £90,000. The artists kindly donated 25% of the proceeds of their works of art sold over the two days to the fund. Proceeds from the Charity Arts Fair was £4,000, the major part of which went towards the scanner, with a portion going to other Rotary charities. The scanner will be used in the radiology department of the hospital, to aid the diagnosis of certain types of cancer.

•

MONEY RAISED

£4,000 www.rotarygbi.org

www.rotarygbi.org

ROTARY // 7

ROTARY IN ACTION

Vocational Service

Inspiring a generation What is Vocational Service? If you have ever used your professional expertise to help someone, then you have engaged in Vocational Service.

I

n society we can all understand the need of basic skills sharing, whether it is on a personal, professional or educational level. Passing your knowledge to another ultimately helps to improve not only individuals, but also communities as a whole.

That is why Vocational Service is one of the key principles that underpins Rotary, and each Rotarian has a skill to share.

When joining, each member pledges to a set of responsibilities, which includes the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society.

One such example of where a Rotarian is using their expertise and experiences to support and enhance new skills in another is Erik Foster, who is a member of the Rotary Club of Sidcup.

This year it was announced that youth unemployment was at its worst for 20 years, something Erik and his club are looking to tackle. That is why they have set up the Youth Unemployment Project in conjunction with their local Job Centre Plus. The project’s aim is to help make the young people it works with more employable and guide them on the road to getting a job.

Erik comments: “Before these young people leave school they are not always prepared for the current job market, these young people are the future of our country and they could do with a better deal than the one they are currently getting.

Rotarians and professionals are ideally placed to offer them the sort of guidance we feel they should receive.

“Many of us have spent years working in a job where we’ve supported co-workers and even managed a team of staff, and the basics of being an employer hardly changes.

That is why we rely on these skills to help support the new generation of people going into the world of work.”

The club runs regular sessions at its local Job Centre, which usually involves a group of 15 youngsters taking part in a workshop lasting around two hours. As a result, approximately half of them have now 8 // ROTARY

Giving a helping hand

The basics of being an employer never changes. That is why we rely on these skills to help support the new generation of people going into the world of work.” moved off Job Seekers Allowance and into employment.

The project has been a great way to provide the young adults with a support network and it is a perfect example of how people can best support their community through Vocational Service.

Erik concludes: “The job we do truly fulfils Rotary Vocational aims, showcases what Rotary can do and demonstrates to the community what Rotary is really here for. One thing is for sure – once you get involved you will find it very rewarding.”

•

For more information on the Youth Unemployment Project visit: rotaryclubofsidcup.org

FACTFILE

VOCATIONAL SERVICE

Vocational Service is one of • Rotary’s Avenues of Service I

t calls every to aspire • to high ethicalRotarian standards in

their occupation; recognise the worthiness of all useful occupations, and contribute their vocational talents to the problems and needs of society

www.rotarygbi.org

ADVERT

WHAT THEY SAY

The Big Interview ALLAN BERRY

Medical help where it is needed Médecins Sans Frontières has been highlighted recently, not for the work it does, but for tragedies that has struck it. I wanted to get more insight into its work, so I spoke with a couple of key people.

We require qualified doctors and nurses with a certain amount of maturity. They have to be able to hold it together in some very difficult situations.”

A

refugee, who had been rescued from a small boat going from Libya to Italy, was asked why he was making such a hazardous journey. He replied: “I am fleeing from a life worse than death.” He had already made the dangerous transit from Eritrea across Africa, to a transition camp in Libya, and then had taken a small boat across the Mediterranean to Italy and another transition camp. Nigerians fleeing the oppression in the north of their country, as well as Iraqis and Syrians take the same route. They come in their thousands every day and one organisation is there with them helping in whatever way it can.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reacts to a humanitarian challenge wherever it happens in the world and the refugee crisis in North Africa, Greece and Turkey is no exception. This charity is funded 90% from private donations, with doctors and nurses

10 // ROTARY

Rescuing refugees

volunteering their time and expertise to help people in great need.

Dr Paul McMasters is the President Director of the organisation in Europe and was off to a meeting in Amsterdam as I met up with him. Paul began by telling me a little of the background of MSF: “We started 44 years ago in the Nigerian war and have slowly grown with more volunteers joining over the years and helping with the tragedies in Rwanda, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

We are now an organisation that tries to respond to any communities in crisis, be it refugees, conflict zones, epidemics or what I call chronic communities in crisis such as South Sudan, Congo and Haiti.” Paul wanted to stress to me the way MSF works and went on to say: “We are not a development organisation. We don’t go in to rebuild a whole country’s health structure, but we have been in the Congo for 20 years, helping and supporting. We have 30,000 people in www.rotarygbi.org

MSF responding in Africa

MSF with volunteers alongside the workers supporting places like South Sudan - a community in crisis for a long time.”

Paul goes to a country that is hit by disaster to assess the situation and then calls for volunteers and he has quite a bit of experience leading teams for over six years.

As Paul explained: “We require qualified doctors and nurses with a certain amount of maturity. They have to be able to hold it together in some very difficult situations. Our volunteers have to respect cultural differences and gender difference is an important aspect.

People who volunteer are usually either at the beginning of their careers, aged between 28 and 35 before they get involved in family life, or those who are in the latter part of their career.” Paul continued: “We are a humanitarian organisation. We are neutral, impartial, very secular and we need people who will respect that. Some feel politically very strongly, but we are always there as medics first.”

We did discuss the role of Rotary and Rotarians in the situations that MSF finds itself, and Paul admitted that he had come across their work. We have tremendous respect for what Rotarians do in emergency situations and acknowledged Rotary is there for the longer term.

When asked about the main areas www.rotarygbi.org

of deployment, Paul went on to explain: “Our major deployments are central Africa, especially South Sudan, which has been fighting for many years now, and the Middle East in such places as Syria and Iraq.” Paul was not prepared to go into detail because of the sensitive nature of the deployments, except to say: “The work in Syria is immensely challenging and we are working in a number of clinics and hospitals to help them through their trauma.”

Paul did go on to mention Afghanistan.

We could not finish the interview without me raising the subject of Kunduz in Afghanistan and expressing my concerns on behalf of Rotary for the disaster at the MSF hospital, which was hit several times during sustained bombing. The interview with Paul was set up just as the tragedy had hit the organisation and Paul went on: “It is a great tragedy and we are calling for an enquiry under the Geneva Convention. Increasingly our clinics and hospitals are under threat, especially in places like Syria and Yemen. We have treated 20,000 people and carried out 6,000 surgeries in recent months, so it is not as if we are doing minor stuff. We are doing major work there, in Helmund and Lashkar Gah, but sadly no longer in Kunduz.” I mentioned to Paul that I get the impression that MSF goes into areas of high risk and Paul

explained: “We are a medical organisation and we are there as medics and sometimes we go into areas where sadly the risk is very high and recently we have lost very valuable teams in Kunduz and also in Nepal in a helicopter crash.”

We hear reports concerning MSF volunteers almost every day of the week now and talking with them is humbling in so many ways. On the next page I speak with a medic who has been deployed on a rescue boat between Libya and Italy. MSF is a fantastic organisation with equally dedicated members.

FACTFILE

MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES MSF is an international, • not-for-profit, medical

humanitarian organisation

SF was awarded the • MNobel Peace Prize in

1999. The judges chose MSF “in recognition of the organisation’s pioneering humanitarian work”

ROTARY // 11

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL

Médicins Sans Frontières

A

Rescued in the Med A nurse gives up her time to help people fleeing from war and oppression.

I met up with her to discuss her experiences and challenges.

lison Criado-Perez, or Ali as she is known, is a registered nurse from Rutland and has volunteered for Médicins Sans Frontierèrs on several occasions. This year, she worked on one of three boats rescuing and looking after refugees crossing the Mediterranean from Libya to Italy. One of the boats, MSF Phoenix, was supplied by Migrant Offshore Aid Stations, and is an adapted fishing vessel bought by a philanthropist to carry out rescue missions from migrant boats in distress between Libya and Italy.

I wanted to learn first hand what it is like for the refugees fleeing their country seeking a better life in Europe and Ali was the person to tell me. I started by asking Ali the conditions the people they had rescued were in. She explained: “These people had already travelled thousands of miles to reach the boats, often across the Sahara desert in the backs of trucks, and if the truck broke down they would have to walk. The trucks were crowded and if someone fell out there was no one to help or pity they were just left behind.

The people operating the trucks were part of the smuggling gangs. When they get to Libya they have to wait in a detention centre.

I remember seeing one young Eritrean man who was a complete wreck. He had been in the detention centre in Libya for six months and was covered in sores. He weighed just 52 kilograms and was also psychologically distressed so we had to help him. We would be told by a control centre in Rome of the GPS position of a boat that required rescuing.

We had room for 400 people and we were just three medics, with some other staff, so it was pretty full on. We would take life jackets to rescue people from small, leaky, unseaworthy and overcrowded boats. My first rescue was a little boy of just nine months.

I took him in my arms and held him tight because I was afraid I might drop him into the water - he looked at me in complete amazement. I also thought the mother must be truly desperate to go though this, risking the journey across the desert and now in this unsafe boat crossing the Mediterranean.

When we get the rescued people on board our 12 // ROTARY

Alison treating a patient on MSF Phoenix in the Mediterranean

My first rescue was a little boy of just nine months, I took him in my arms and held him tight because I was afraid I might drop him into the water - he looked at me in complete amazement.” boat we would do a quick triage to ascertain those who needed immediate attention and ask the now urgent patients to wait to one side. One girl we rescued had fled Boko Haram in Nigeria, but on the crossing her sister had died, so she was alone, finding her way into Europe from Italy.”

Ali’s stories went on and on, recalling missions of rescues and each had a point of recalling moments of fear and losing relatives, both in the wars and on the journeys. Stories of terrible conditions within holding camps and rescuing fleeing people suffering from total exhaustion, hypothermia, shock, dehydration and sea sickness. She went on to tell me she came across a young girl of 16. “She seemed to be suffering from a fever and respiratory problems and had trouble walking. We found out the smugglers had beaten her on the soles of her feet and the back of her legs to make her get on to the

boat. I saw 52 refugees who had died from diesel fume inhalation, people with renal failure who had to be medevaced out and diabetics in urgent need of insulin. Our boat was directed by a command post in Rome to take our refugees to one of three designated ports in Italy and from there they were assessed and sent on their way within Europe.”

Ali is just one volunteer within MSF and as she says: “I dealt with just the tip of the iceberg, there are millions of these people throughout the Middle East and North Africa.”

Whatever way you look at it, Ali and volunteers within MSF are doing an amazing job of looking after and saving people. That is what it is all about.

•

For more information visit: www.msf.org.uk www.rotarygbi.org

www.rotarygbi.org

ROTARY // 13

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL

Accessible Edibles

Rochdale Rotary plants a seed After becoming increasingly concerned about famine and our growing global population, two members from the Rotary Club of Rochdale decided to spring into action.

I

n 2011, David Acton and Mike Tomkinson of Rochdale Rotary Club set up their Accessible Edibles project, which promotes the idea of landless, ultra low cost food production. Both David and Mike had recognised the rising need for a way to grow healthy crops in less than ideal environments, hence their ‘Urban Farm’ concept was born.

The simple technology involves using vertical bags to produce crops, in places where the land is unsuitable for growing.

Using vertical bags allows the growing conditions to be adapted according to the climate. For example, in periods of high rainfall, some of the water can be removed or drained to stop the plants being flooded, but in periods of low rainfall, the bags can be moved to a location allowing them to receive the maximum amount of water. The bags can be anything from simple plastic carriers, which are actually the most ideal, to cloth made bags, but whichever is used it provides an extremely low cost and efficient way to grow crops.

After carrying out some initial trials of the project in the UK, the two men decided to test out their ‘Urban Farm’ technology overseas. Through links with the Rotary Club of Middleton, Manchester the project was set up in Tharaka, Kenya where consequently the people of Tharaka managed to survive a severe drought thanks to their bag - grown crops, after all of their land based crops were wiped out.

David and Mike then turned their attention to Bangladesh, where they carried out more successful trials with the University of Agriculture, Business and Technology, and began to teach the students how to use the system in both city and village environments.

After proving the success of the ‘Urban Farm’ technology, the next step was to make the method accessible to a wider audience, particularly in developing countries. Hence, the Accessible Edibles website was set up and a complete DIY guide created showing how an individual family, small group, larger community or even a business can use the technology to grow food in the most

14 // ROTARY

David Acton in Kenya Meru showing a local villager the grow bag system

Putting effort into growing something has great therapeutic benefit by creating something of beauty.” inhospitable environments. This really gave the project a new lease of life, as it allowed the technology to be accessed from anywhere at any time.

Looking to the future, the determined two have now set up a commercial arm of the project called “Carry On Growing”. This uses a similar technology to that of ‘Urban Farm’ to create a parallel bar planter suitable for customers who have no access to land or who may have disabilities that don’t allow them to garden in a conventional way. All profits made by selling the planters will go back into the Accessible Edibles project, and will help communities overseas set up their

own ‘Urban Farm’.

Mike explains: “Anyone can get involved by purchasing a planter and donating it to a school or hospice in their local community.

Putting effort into growing something has great therapeutic benefits by creating something of beauty, and harvesting the crops gives a certain satisfaction that is not easy to define. We are always encouraged by the tremendous feedback we get from our growers.”

•

For more information go to: accessible-edibles.org www.rotarygbi.org

www.rotarygbi.org

ROTARY // 15

WHAT THEY SAY

The Big Interview ALLAN BERRY

Serving a better world To get an idea of what is required in the world to bring peace and reconciliation across nations we explored what one person, who is in an informed position, had to say on the subject.

K

For more information visit: theelders.org kofiannanfoundation.org 16 // ROTARY

ofi Annan was a Ghanian diplomat who rose to worldwide fame when he was appointed UN Secretary General in 1997. He has an impressive list of accolades behind him, and in 2001 he and his team were awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for their work 'in a better organised and peaceful world'. He is chairman of ‘The Elders’, an independent group of global leaders who work together for peace and human rights, which was brought together in 2007 by Nelson Mandela. In December 2006 he stepped down as UN Secretary General and set up the Kofi Annan Foundation. He is a strong advocate of promoting better global governance and strengthening the capacities of people and countries to achieve a fairer, more secure world.

Kofi Annan has a vision of making the world a better place, and his experience as UN Secretary General has given him the insight into what is required to make it happen. He has served as an inspiring force for people across the world and he talks about what was the driving force behind his vision.

“When I was a boy, my father used to tell us: ‘You don’t hit someone on the head when you have your fingers between his teeth’ to remind us that even in dispute, we remain bound to each other. In this innocuous proverb lies a wisdom that the world is yet to fully embrace. My long experience has taught me that, whatever our background, what unites us is far greater than what divides us.

©Magali Girardin - Kofi Annan

“When I founded the Kofi Annan Foundation, I did so with the belief that the pillars for a fairer, more secure world consists of sustainable development, of peace and of human rights, and this conviction has only grown stronger over the years. These pillars are interconnected and interdependent, for there can be no long-term security without development, and there can be no longterm development without security. And no society can long remain prosperous without the rule of law and respect for human rights.

“Yet for now, epidemics, hunger, the climate crisis, weak and undemocratic governance, and many more threats all eat away, mercilessly, at foundations of our societies. At the Kofi Annan Foundation we work on mobilising the required political will - across the worlds of diplomacy, civil www.rotarygbi.org

©Fabio Chironi - Kofi Annan with the President of CÔte d’Ivoire, H.E. Mr. Alassane Ouattara, and the President of Ghana, H.E. Mr. John Dramani Mahama, in 2015.

society and private sector - to curb those threats. The expertise and know-how to deal with and eradicate most of the world’s critical issues is after all often well-established. What holds us back is a lack of vision, of leadership and of the political resolve to fix things. Mobilising this political will is what we have set our minds to.

“I remain optimistic that one day we will see a world where leaders look beyond the next electoral cycle or the next shareholder meeting. Where we collectively realise that we do not live in a zero-sum world where someone’s gain automatically comes at another’s expense.

“I envision a world where these values are supported by an international architecture, a modernised United Nations that reflects the changing balance of global power brought about by the rise of China, Brazil, India, South Africa, and other emerging countries. But above all, of a United Nations that serves not only states but foremost peoples - and becomes the forum where governments are held accountable for their behaviour toward their own citizens. A forum where the shared values of pluralism, tolerance, www.rotarygbi.org

No society can long remain prosperous without the rule of law and respect for human rights.”

solidarity, democracy and dialogue triumph over unilateralism, ultra-nationalism, and over the politics of identity.

“You may argue that this is a pipedream, that around the world, personal liberty, human rights, and democracy are being eroded - even in countries that have embraced democratic ideals. But remember that never before in human history have so few people (as a proportion of world population) died from armed conflict. It may not make headlines, but the international system, with its rules and institutions, allows states to settle most of their disputes peacefully, most of the time.

“Let us renew and strengthen this international system. From epidemics to climate change, we need to set our narrow self-interests aside and realise that we are

in this world together, for better or for worse. Hitting each other on the head has not done us much good in the past. It is time to move beyond that, to embrace our common humanity and resume our journey towards a fairer, more peaceful world.”

Kofi Annan works tirelessly with groups across the world, and in a time of such turmoil we need to all work in solidarity to help achieve his vision.

•

FACTFILE

KOFI ANNAN FOUNDATION

he Kofi Annan Foundation • Tworks to promote better global governance and strengthen the capacities of people and countries to achieve a fairer, more secure world

he foundation works to; • Tcombat hunger, encourage

integrity in Global elections, support democracy and security, promote youth leadership, build lasting peace and change drug policy

ROTARY // 17

18 // ROTARY

www.rotarygbi.org

ROTARY IN ACTION

Bournemouth Conference

What they say...

Vocational Service gives us the opportunity to use our professional skills and expertise to create positive changes in our communities.

Balloon in Lower Gardens, Bournemouth

Bournemouth Conference 2016

It’s not about the money ROTARY PRESIDENT 2015/16 I PETER DAVEY

O

ften it is the unexpected that gets us thinking. In recent weeks I have been presented with two different books. First, I was shown a reading project, funded by Rotarians, and was asked about my favourite childhood book.

I was then presented with a collector’s item – a hardback called “The World of Rupert” and my childhood memories came flooding back. The second came after a discussion about change in Rotary, which led to me receiving a book published in 1978 describing the development of Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland up to that date. Rotary has certainly changed during that period and the changes will continue. There is a foreword written by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh in which he says: “I am sure that the basic purpose of Rotary - Vocational Service - is understood by most people.” I am reluctant to question his Royal Highness, but was he right to say that Vocational Service is the basic purpose of Rotary or that it is understood? If he was, why do so many see Rotary Clubs as little more than trusted local fundraisers?

Vocational Service gives us the opportunity to use our professional skills and expertise to create positive changes in our communities. Many of Rotary’s fundraising activities rely upon people using their professional skills to plan and organise local events, but perhaps we could do more to use our individual skills more directly. Foodbanks provide food for

www.rotarygbi.org

people facing a crisis. But we could also offer help to avoid the next crisis arising, perhaps by advising on budget planning or seeking other funds. Volunteers would then be using their professional skills.

Many professional people received training and development as they followed their own careers or hobbies and have much to offer others in our communities. We shouldn’t miss opportunities to voluntarily help others to hone their skills too, for their benefit and for the good of the local community as a whole. Many help by mentoring young people or those of all ages seeking employment to prepare their application and, later, to prepare for interviews. Raising money for others obviously has a place, but it must surely be just as important to help people or community groups to improve their skills to enable them to generate income for themselves?

Many professional roles require the practice of a wide range of skills that can be used in different situations. Vocational Service is indeed one of the service avenues of Rotary, but it could be understood and applied far more. As 2015 draws to a close and we begin to think about our New Year’s resolutions, we could resolve to use our skills and those of our colleagues for those who would benefit – we could enjoy that far more than a new diet or exercise regime. It might well prove more sustainable too and do far more good.

•

B

ournemouth hosts the Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland Conference on April 1-3, 2016. With great shops, restaurants, accommodation, beaches and gardens, Bournemouth is the perfect setting.

Speakers include Steve Brown explaining how, following a tragic accident, he became captain of Great Britain’s Wheelchair Rugby Team in 2012. Baroness Gillian Shephard will discuss Social Mobility and how Rotary can help aspirational young people.

Reverend Richard Coles will entertain us with his journey from 80s pop star to reverend and Jenny Agutter joins us with a cast of young performers from the Shakespeare Schools Festival.

Geoff Miller, former England cricket team selector will entertain us with tales of his career, and Sir Richard Stilgoe and the Orpheus School will also attend.

There is also a chance to join discussions on Rotary projects, learn about the “Hidden Gem of Rotary” at the Fellowships breakout or visit the General Interest Session which features TV personality Eric Knowles, poet Jonathan Edwards with dance troupe “Flock of Flamingoes”, Gloria Barnett talking about “Beauty and Beasts under the Sea” and David Bishop with famous TV comedy clips.

Plus the House of Friendship offers the opportunity to meet charities, make friends and share time at this year’s conference. So much to see and enjoy!

All this and a packed entertainment schedule, there really is something for everyone.

•

Visit: rotarygbi.org

ROTARY // 19

WHAT THEY SAY

ALLAN BERRY

The Big Interview

A Matter of Life Working out of hours transporting items such as blood and medical supplies, the National Association of Blood Bikes are hailed as the unseen emergency service.

I

For more information go to: thenabb.org.uk 20 // ROTARY

t is an emergency and out of office hours, a hospital requires blood very quickly and the supply is miles away - how do they get the blood across the country safely and quickly? One way is to hire a taxi, which is very costly to the NHS and in heavy traffic can be quite slow.

A better solution is to call for what is termed a ‘Blood Bike’.

To find out more about the National Association of Blood Bikes (NABB), I first met up with Matt Simms of Severn Freewheelers, who told me how he became involved with the organisation: “One day at work I was not feeling too well. I had a terrible headache and was generally feeling poorly. I was becoming like a zombie. My body was shutting down and when I got up to go to bed I collapsed at the bottom of the stairs. My wife, who is a nurse, got me to an emergency centre where they took a blood sample to be analysed, which was sent off on a Blood Bike. I remember thinking I would not live to see my unborn child - my wife was eight months pregnant. I recovered from a cerebral virus infection and after a few days of treatment I was sent home.

A few years later I met some members of Severn Freewheelers at a fete collecting for the charity and I went up and thanked them.

Some time later I freed up time to volunteer as a rider for Blood Bikes. I went through all the training and qualified as a Blood Bike rider - it was not as straightforward as just

jumping on a bike, as the training and tests are rigorous and the standards required are high.”

National Blood Bikes are often referred to as the ‘unseen emergency service’ as they operate out of hours and are rarely seen by patients. Matt went on to tell me how it feels to be on a bike, which is usually a BMW RT1200P costing around £20,000 to purchase and equip. “Personally, when I am riding the bike on duty I have an enormous sense of responsibility and pride. You are carving a route through traffic and people are moving respectfully out of your way.”

Matt explained that his group was now working with the Air Ambulance to replenish the blood on board their helicopters to save lives. He said: “It was thought they would require supplies four to five times per month, but it has reached three to four times per week.” Matt continued: “I arrived with the blood for the helicopter and the pilot told me they had just saved a lady when a lorry ploughed into the side of her car. As the Fire Brigade were cutting her out they transfused blood, and as they were on the ground getting ready to fly her to A&E another unit of blood was used. He said without the blood they www.rotarygbi.org

A Blood Bike delivering life-saving cargo to Air Ambulance

Personally, when I am riding the bike on duty I have an enormous sense of responsibility and pride.”

I must admit to coming away from both interviews with a tremendous amount of respect for these teams and also a great deal of awe for what they do every day of the week. If you have had an emergency blood transfusion out of hours, the blood could have reached you using the Blood Bike service. We have a lot to thank them for.

•

A Blood Bike can be relied upon to respond quickly

wouldn’t have been able to get her out and to hospital alive.” But as Matt emphasised, it is not only blood they carry. Almost anything that requires transporting in an emergency from one location to another is carried by the Blood Bikes during NHS out of hours.

I also spoke with John Stepney, who is www.rotarygbi.org

Chairman of NABB, about the organisation within the UK. They have only been in existence since 2006, starting with just six groups, and have now expanded to 30 groups covering almost the length and breadth of the country. John related to me one mission they had worked on nationally. “A cancer screening file needed to be taken from Dumfries to a London laboratory as quickly as possible, a distance of 360 miles. We set up a relay of five riders from four groups to carry the specimen across the country and speed was essential.

We got the sample to the lab in London with half an hour to spare. Although our service is usually out of hours, we also work during the day if the emergency is really urgent.”

FACTFILE

BLOOD BIKES

Blood Bikes have been • established in the UK for more than 40 years

In recent years the number of • Blood Bike groups has grown

significantly and there are now hundreds of motorcyclists who freely volunteer their time to the service

There are times when blood, or • other medical items need to be transported urgently because a patient’s life is at risk

ROTARY // 21

ROTARY IN ACTION

Duke of Edinburgh Award

Creating a path for youth One great strength of Rotary is its work with young people and now, thanks to a new relationship, Rotary will be able to help more youngsters than ever before.

R

ecently, Rotary was thrilled to announce that it is now an Approved Activity Provider (AAP) for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), a recognition given to young people that have completed a number of selfimprovement activities. Interact, the junior branch of Rotary, will offer volunteering opportunities, which count towards achieving the Volunteering section of the Bronze, Silver and Gold DofE Award.

The new relationship means Interactors can carry on with their excellent social impact work in local communities whilst also completing their volunteering section for their DofE. One person who is a great example of why this partnership is so worthwhile is past president of Aberaeron Comprehensive School Interact Club, Olivia Jones. As well as being an Interactor, Olivia has also completed all three levels of her DofE Award (Bronze, Silver and Gold) and she believes the new partnership will be a great opportunity for both Interactors and DofE participants alike. To achieve her award, she had to complete activities from a variety of different sections including volunteering, physical, skills, expedition and residential. Olivia was able to complete many of her activities through her time in Interact, for example she ticked off the residential aspect by taking part in Rotary’s Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), which takes place for two weeks every year in July, and for which Olivia was sponsored to attend by the Rotary Club of Aberaeron.

Olivia explains: “Not only is volunteering with Interact a fun, enjoyable and rewarding experience but it is also the perfect activity provider for DofE participants. It is giving up your spare time to help those in need but you are also constantly meeting new people and sharing your thoughts and ideas. As well as being a part of events you have helped plan, you feel rewarded after each one because you have helped someone.”

Olivia continued: “RYLA in particular was such an amazing experience for me. As well as being able to complete the residential aspect of my gold award, I met so many new

22 // ROTARY

Students completing part of their DofE Silver Award

I learnt many leadership skills and also took on roles and responsibilities that I’d never taken on before. It was a great confidence boost and something I will remember for the rest of my life.”

people and gained lots of new friends that I still keep in contact with today. I learnt many leadership skills and also took on roles and responsibilities that I’d never taken on before. It was a great confidence boost and something I will remember for the rest of my life. We took part in numerous daily activities that pushed us, yet were so exciting and enjoyable. We did caving, canoeing, orienteering, abseiling, gorge walking, sliding down waterfall rocks, climbing up hills - the lot! We did so much and we all learnt valuable life skills and every single one of us took something away from it.

“I think everyone gets that feeling where they want to give something back to their community and I would highly recommend

DofE participants to look in to Rotary Interact as it could help immensely towards completing your award and give you some amazing memories at the same time.”

Working with DofE is another great chance for Rotary to get involved with young people in Great Britain and Ireland, and in turn for young people to experience what Rotary is all about. Let’s hope that the future will be filled with stories from many more young people like Olivia, who are passionate about making a difference and see Rotary as the perfect way to do so.

•

For more information about the DofE visit: dofe.org www.rotarygbi.org

What they say...

Help, the right place and right time RI DIRECTOR 2015-17 I PETER OFFER

M

yself and my fellow Rotary International Directors, who cover Europe, the Middle East and Africa, have been inundated with requests from Rotarians who are concerned about the plight of people fleeing war and turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa. They are asking the same question; how can we help? Seeing thousands pouring into Europe taking hazardous routes and covering many thousands of miles, often in danger, to reach a better life. The size of the situation and the struggle these people face is somewhat overwhelming and Rotarians want to help.

The reality is we need governments’ support to help with something of this magnitude. Rotarians will and can help when they know the aid will be well placed in the right place and the right time. The important thing is to make sure the help we give is really needed.

I was recently in Evanston, Chicago,

to take part in board meetings, and discussions, with decisions taking place regarding membership and, as a result, costs.

They go hand in hand, as the more members we have, the more finance is available. We did try to make a few savings, they all help, but in such a large and diverse organisation small savings in one area get lost in other modernisation projects.

The last point I wish to make is that of ‘Rotary Club Central’. More clubs are signing up, but there are still many to go. The Rotary

coordinators have been trained in what to do. Invite them to one of your meetings and see for yourselves how easy it is. It will be of great benefit to you as you will see year by year how you are doing and it will also give you a full picture of your membership age and gender.

From an RI point of view, it will help in so many ways, since it will globally portray the strength of our organisation. Finally, I would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and good wishes for 2016.

•

New look for presidential conferences RI FOUNDATION CHAIRMAN 2015/16 I RAY KLINGINSMITH

P

residential conferences have become popular meetings for Rotarians from around the world, and the conference programmes vary from year to year with each president. President Ravi has planned five unique conferences during this Rotary year, each inspired by one of the areas of focus established by The Rotary Foundation, as part of its Future Vision plan: • Peace and conflict prevention and resolution: January 15-16 in Ontario, California: peaceconference2016.org • Disease prevention and treatment: February 19-20 in Cannes, France: rotaryconference-cannes2016.org www.rotarygbi.org

• Community and economic development: February 26-27 in Cape Town, South Africa: rotarycapetown2016.com • Literacy and WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) in schools: March 12-13 in Kolkata, India: rotaryteach.org/ presidentialconference • WASH in Schools: March 18-19 in Pasay City, Philippines: 2016RotaryPresidentialConference Manila.org President Ravi and I will attend all five of the conferences, which are cosponsored by Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation, and we hope that

Rotarians will take an active interest in supporting them, particularly the ones closest to their home. The two-day events offer opportunities to explore the issues alongside Rotary’s leaders and outside experts in the various areas of focus, as we spotlight practical approaches for Rotarians to become involved in new and effective projects.

If you find any of the conferences to be of interest, which I hope you will, please consider attending one of them, or perhaps sending a representative from your club.

The presidential conferences are excellent supplements to the Rotary conventions, and they are further proof that Rotary is truly doing good in the world all around the globe.

•

ROTARY // 23

ROTARY IN ACTION

24 // ROTARY

www.rotarygbi.org

ROTARY // 25

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL

Commonwealth of Nations

The unique work of Rotary In the last edition of Rotary we met with the Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations, Kamalesh Sharma. In this edition we look at our own International President who spoke at the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference.

A

fter our meeting with the Secretary General, we came away inspired at the Commonwealth’s resolve to make the world a better place, something we at Rotary can identify with. Kamalesh Sharma is approaching the end of his eight-year tenure, but he has certainly overseen some impressive resolutions during his time, including the Marlborough House Declaration. He spoke about the role of Rotarians and how they can help in making a difference to the challenges facing the world.

In November, Rotary International’s President, KR Ravindran, spoke at the Commonwealth Heads of Government People's Forum to urge all the countries to keep polio eradication at the forefront of the world’s agenda. The forum is a platform to bring together civil society representatives from around the world to discuss and debate key issues facing the people of the Commonwealth.

President Ravi’s talk looked at how, in order to be effective and resilient, health systems must be governed with a participatory approach, leveraging the ideas of all stakeholders, including the most vulnerable. Building mental health legislation for those with mental health issues, addressing disease challenges with sufferers and frontline medical staff, building international plans based on expert consultation and optimising immunisation strategies with local populations were given as key examples of this.

26 // ROTARY

Secretary General of the Commonwealth Kamalesh Sharma

During his speech President Ravi went on to focus on resilience in the sense of the ability to withstand shocks and how Rotary is uniquely placed to foster such capacity. He shared the example of Rotary’s work in responding to the tsunami that hit Sri Lanka. Because Rotary was locally based, there was no need to fly in staff, hire translators or establish an office.

Local Rotary clubs were able to identify and respond to immediate needs, such as decontamination of water wells. After addressing the immediate acute needs, Rotary worked to build new schools to replace ones that had been destroyed.

While the funding came from Rotarians and partners abroad, local Rotarians did the work and ultimately transitioned those schools, which today, receive no www.rotarygbi.org

Njempes community celebrate an alternative rite of passage ceremony in Laikipia, Kenya

Rotary funding and are fully functional and integrated.

He went on to speak about the best example of Rotary’s efforts to build resilience, Rotary’s participation in global polio eradication, and how that effort has transformed the resilience of health systems by developing the capacity to address emerging needs. He highlighted the example of how the infrastructure put in place to prevent the spread of polio in Nigeria was subsequently used to mitigate a potentially explosive outbreak of Ebola. Emergency Operations Centres, surveillance, case investigation and contact tracking, real time data analysis and modeling, all resources developed for Nigeria’s polio eradication efforts, positioned Nigeria to quickly respond and stop the spread of Ebola.

He noted that the challenge is to ensure that complete eradication is achieved and that resources, such as those developed by Rotary in responding to acute crises like the tsunami. The use of resources established over a long period of time, including mass initiatives such as PolioPlus, can be and are effectively captured and applied more broadly to benefit other challenges we face as a global community. He stressed that this would www.rotarygbi.org

The Commonwealth of Nations doesn’t go into countries and try and fix problems in the short term. But by determining the root cause of the problem, and by using a participatory approach, it can help solve the deep-set problems affecting societies.” take a conscious, deliberate effort requiring the full engagement of governments and civil society.

The efforts of Rotary ties in with what we discussed with the Commonwealth Secretary General, who said: “The Commonwealth of Nations is not a ‘band aid organisation’ in that it doesn’t go into countries and try and fix problems in the short term. But by determining the root cause of the problem, and by using a participatory approach, it can help solve the deep-set problems affecting societies. The Commonwealth of Nations Secretariat aims to be seen as a helping hand, rather than a wagging finger, and its

idea that consensus across the countries is key in order to work together and take a consistent approach.”

Rotary is in the ideal position in that it has clubs and members across the world, and the aim is to achieve this consistent approach wherever people are based, in order to achieve good in the world and resolve to make real change in the long term, not just right now. Polio has been a key example of an initiative that was taken on 30 years ago. Rotary clubs and members across the globe have fought the fight against polio, each carrying out different activities such as raising awareness on the world’s stage, to heading out to affected areas to provide immunisations to those in need, or simply fundraising on street Corners. However, all activities shared common aims and goals. Each country vowed to tackle this problem together and as a result there are now fewer than 60 cases of polio across the world.

Upon speaking to both the Secretary General and reviewing what President Ravi discussed, it certainly identifies the real need for positive changes in the world, and as we listened, we understood there is a real opportunity to make this happen through hard work and resilience. By working together, we may just achieve this.

•

ROTARY // 27

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL

Rotary around the world

Rotary around the world In all corners of the world Rotary club members are giving service in many ways and here we bring a small flavour of the things they do.

USA: Everyone’s welcome at 'Al’s Place' Cheers and claps fill the air as families in the South Valley caring for loved ones in hospital will finally have a place to stay. Visalia Rotarians and Kaweah Delta Medical Center employees ushered in a new partnership to care for their community with Al’s Place, a respite home.

An empty lot at the centre will one day provide free shelter to those who have a sick family member in the hospital. “A loved one being in hospital is always a stressful time, especially when you compound that with travel from out of the area,” explained Lindsay Mann, the CEO of Kaweah Delta.

The project is being supported by the Visalia Rotary Foundation, which is made up of five local clubs. The foundation purchased the lot and will build a twobedroom apartment. Phil Hornburg, of the Visalia Rotary Community Foundation, added: “All the members have given to this.

Some have even done hands on things like removing the house, designing the place, and they are even going to build the place, so it’s really hands on.” The home will be named Al’s Place, after former Rotarian Al Fisher, and is expected to open to families and individuals in July 2016.

.

Gambia: Schools receive over 40,000 books to help aid literacy The Rotary Club of Banjul lived true to its theme for the year ‘Be a Gift to The World’, by donating more than 40,000 books to schools across Gambia. The materials, which included mainly brand new maths, science, and English language textbooks, 28 // ROTARY

were given to nurseries, as well as primary, secondary and vocational schools. An official presentation took place at the Rotary Science Laboratory Complex in Kanifing, to mark Rotary’s Basic Education and Literacy Month.

The presentation of the books to schools also commemorated International Literacy and Sustainable Development Day, which the United Nations had chosen to recognise on 8th September.

The day is a reminder to the international community that literacy is one of the key elements needed to promote sustainable development, as it provides individuals with the means to make good decisions in the fields of economic growth, social development and environmental integration.

U.S and Canadian citizens donated the books in order to aid literacy efforts in Gambia. Rotary Club of Banjul’s president, Fatou Bah, comments: “The club received them through the Rotary Books for the World and the Second Wind Foundation for distribution to schools and other beneficiaries.”

Canada: Friendship’s in force in Ottawa Members of the Rotary Club of Ottawa, Stittsville learnt all about the Friendship Force of Ottawa, which tries to achieve understanding of the cultures and values of others, one person at a time, through an exchange programme.

The organisation arranges for participants to stay in private homes in the countries being visited, and its Vice President of Membership, Jean Farrell, was a guest speaker at one of the club’s meetings.

Jean discussed the organisation’s objectives, which is to promote peace through friendships developed among individuals on these exchange visits. There

are two types of exchanges, most of which last for seven days. Friendship Force Ottawa has 180 members, making it one of the largest Friendship Force clubs in the world, and it plans four inbound and four outbound exchanges each year.

Over the years since its founding in 1995, Ottawa Friendship Force members have enjoyed exchanges all around the world including in Asia, Africa, North America and South America. Friendship Force International is represented in 390 communities, in 70 countries around the world and there are approximately 400 exchanges each year.

Jamaica: Rotary club sets its sights on eye care The Rotary Club of Negril will be hosting eye and dental clinics as part of its activities throughout the next year to assist communities in Jamaica.

An eye-testing project, which will be held under the theme “See Better, Learn Better”, aims to help children who have been unable to learn to read due to eye conditions.

The project continues the club’s previous education programmes, which included the upgrading of schools in the Negril area and the provision of financial assistance for needy students.

A donor from the USA has provided the club with an eye-testing machine, which cost US$7,000, and the club is now trying to source funds to purchase glasses for the children who are recognised as having eye problems.

Members of the club will also donate their time to visit the schools and test whether the children will need glasses. The project was set up after it was identified that school children were not reading as they should, and once the condition is identified it is hoped that the rate of literacy will increase in schools. www.rotarygbi.org

Rotary is distributed to 51,000 RIBI members in Great Britain and Ireland and is the perfect vehicle to get your message or product to a very active and influential audience.

Media Shed are the new media sales agency working on behalf of RIBI and Rotary.

The team are there to discuss all promotional opportunities that are available to you, so please feel free to give us a call.

For more information contact Display/Sponsorship Gareth Macfarlane – Sales Director DD: 01354 818009 E: garethm@media-shed.co.uk Classified Leanne Hills – Sales Executive DD: 01354 818012 E: leanneh@media-shed.co.uk Provision of high quality revenue generation and publishing services www.rotarygbi.org

ROTARY // 29

Meet & Greet

We speak with some of our new members to find out why they joined Rotary and hear some of their experiences.

FACT FILE

Chris Campbell has been a Rotarian for ten months since joining the Rotary Club of Swansea Bay. As a journalist he utilises his media contacts in his role as Vocational and PR Officer at the club.

NAME: Chris Campbell AGE: 29 ROTARY CLUB: Swansea Bay OCCUPATION: D eputy Business Editor and Property Editor at the South Wales Evening Post.

D

uring my first couple of weeks in Swansea working for the Evening Post, I stayed in a guesthouse overlooking the Bay. At breakfast I would meet a Swede, here to accompany his wife, who was in the city to lecture at one of its two universities.

Peter, who is involved in politics in Stockholm, is also a Rotarian and, knowing I was new to the area, asked if I would like to join them for a meal at the local Rotary club. After meeting the club’s members, the majority of whom are female, I went back the following week and a few months later became its 14th member.

My previous thoughts of Rotary was that the organisation was difficult to join, but after spending time at the club I understood it was seeking ways to modernise and appeal to more young people. I was impressed by the number of events it was organising and in my first few months I attended a quiz night, a choir evening, listened to a talk from Top Gear’s former Stig Ben Collins and gave a presentation to fellow Rotarians about my work at the city’s newspaper.

The Club has also been increasing its presence online and I have recently become its Vocational and PR Officer. We regularly have articles and picture stories on our latest events published in the city’s newspaper and on its website, the latest on World Polio Day and members’ efforts in the region to contribute towards the End Polio Now campaign. We are also regular users of Facebook and Twitter, with our own pages.

Many young people are unaware of what Rotarians stand for, how they can approach a Rotary group, and that there is an opportunity and need for younger people to join. I have seen more 30 // ROTARY

“Many young people are unaware of what Rotarians stand for, and that there is an opportunity and need for younger people to join. youngsters visit us, often using social networking to contact the club beforehand. Increasing the work Rotary does with schools, colleges and universities, combined with more interactive club websites and social networking channels, will help spread the message that Rotary is a welcoming organisation that is on the look-out for new people to help support communities and international projects further.

Rotary to me is all about creating opportunities for people at home and abroad and doing so in an environment of like-minded people with a wealth of knowledge and backgrounds. It also turns out that my Granddad was a Rotarian for more than 40 years!

To sum it up in a few words, to me, Rotary is an ‘opportunity to help’. l

To find a club near you visit: rotarygbi.org/club-finder www.rotarygbi.org

www.rotarygbi.org

ROTARY // 31

ROTARY IN ACTION

Santa Fun Runs

Santa Claus is coming to town Many have heard of the Rotary Santa Sleighs, but there is a new kid in town with the enjoyable and colourful Rotary Santa Fun Runs.

E

ach year, Rotary clubs around the country invite runners, walkers, families and even their pets to pull on their red suits and white beards to take part in a festive fun run to raise money for a chosen charity. The Santa Fun Runs see whole communities coming together to get in the Christmas spirit whilst doing their bit for a worthy cause. We take a look at some of the events that take place around the UK and Ireland.

Skipton Craven

Each year the event organised by the Rotary Club of Skipton Craven gets bigger and better. Last year £40,000 was raised and they hope to beat that figure this year with over 2,000 Santas running. Over the past five years many local charities have benefited. The main beneficiaries will be Sue Ryder Hospice Manorlands, Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Yorkshire Cancer Research and Rotary’s own charities.

Lutterworth and Lutterworth Wycliffe Running since 2009, the Lutterworth Santa Run organised by the Lutterworth and Lutterworth Wycliffe Rotary Clubs, has 32 // ROTARY

The Santa Fun Runs see whole communities coming together to get in the Christmas spirit whilst doing their bit for a worthy cause.” raised an impressive £79,000. Last year over 1,000 other runners took take part in the race. Beneficiaries have been the Air Ambulance, Barnado’s, Canine Partners, First Responders and a host of Rotary charities.

Marlow and Marlow Thames

One of the first Santa Fun Runs to take place was organised by the Rotary Clubs of Marlow and Marlow Thames in 2004.

Since then the event has raised over £200,000 for its chosen charities and this year the three primary causes will be Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice, In-Vision, an organisation which supports people suffering from a rare eye condition called Nystagmus, and Child Autism UK. The race also has its very own celebrity

guest in the form of Olympian Sir Steve Redgrave, who starts off the race every year before taking part with his wife.

Meriden

The Rotary Club of Meriden holds one of the newer Santa Fun Runs, which is a leisurely four kilometres through the picturesque village. This year the supported charities will be Marie Curie and Acorns Children’s Hospice, which offers support to children in the local area with life limiting illness. The target is to match last year's figure of over £6,000. Although it is one of the smaller races, with 200 people taking part every year, it is still a fun filled event with runners pushing prams with baby Santa Clauses, doggy Santa Clauses and, even last year, horseback Santa Clauses!

Lincoln Colonia

The event held by the Rotary Club of Lincoln Colonia and sponsored by Running Imp is this year celebrating its 10th anniversary and to celebrate they are giving everyone taking part a fundraising target of £10 each. The run around the historic Bailgate course is held to raise money for a number of local Lincolnshire charities, www.rotarygbi.org

Lincoln

Lutterworth

Marlow

which this year include the Alzheimer’s Society, Candles, Ethan Maull ‘Up Yours To Cancer’, Linkage Community Trust, L.I.V.E.S., and many more including some of Rotary’s own charities. Last year they raised over £83,000 with 2,500 people running and even furry friends can get into the festive spirit and take part in their very own “Santa Doggy Dash”.

These are but a few of the Santa Fun Runs organised each year across the country. They give whole communities a great day out and above all they help organisations far and wide. This is all a part of Rotarians giving their skills and time to try to make a difference.

•

www.rotarygbi.org

For information on the clubs taking part go to rotarygbi.org/club-finder ROTARY // 33

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL

Interact

Interacting for polio in Pakistan We are to close to ending the fight against polio, but in the two countries where the disease is still endemic, the hard work continues. We met an Interactor from Pakistan whilst on a visit to the UK to find out how they are helping.

Kanwal Chaudry

K

anwal Chaudry is past president of the Interact Club of Redwood, based in Lahore in the north of Pakistan, as well as being a previous Chair of the PolioPlus Committee. While she was travelling around Europe, we caught up with her to hear about her life as an Interactor and to find out how her club is helping with the fight against polio in one of the two remaining endemic countries.

Since Nigeria was declared polio free in July of this year, it is now only Pakistan and Afghanistan that remain plagued by the deadly disease. At the time of writing, Pakistan has only had 40 cases recorded in 2015, compared to the 306 cases recorded last year, showing a fall of 85%.

This decrease is largely due to the hard work of people like Kanwal, who have worked tirelessly over the past few years to carry out immunisation projects across the country. Kanwal explained: “Defeating polio has been and will continue to be the main priority of my Interact club and the majority of clubs in this area.”

However, looking forward, Interactors in Pakistan are considering a future without polio. “At Redwood, we already have lots of ideas of the types of projects we would like to start once polio has been eradicated hopefully in the next couple of years. For example, there are plenty of other diseases that are rife in this country and

34 // ROTARY

Polio vaccine being administered

There are plenty of other diseases that are rife in this country and people need protecting against them, but our first priority is to finish the job at hand and to beat polio.” people need protecting against them, but our first priority is to finish the job at hand and to beat polio.”

Kanwal has herself worked on a number of immunisation projects across Pakistan, which involve administering drops on the tongue of children to protect them against the disease. She explained: “Another important part of our work is to teach those who are less educated about polio, trying to get them focusing on how they can and should protect themselves, and the measures they should take to prevent the disease from spreading further.”

Outside of her work with Rotary, Kanwal is studying for her AS levels at Broomfield Hall College. At the time we spoke to her, she had recently received the results of her Maths AS exam, in which she was awarded an A and after completing her studies she hopes to go on to study dentistry.

Kanwal is a true inspiration, demonstrating how young people can really make a difference with Rotary. It is through the actions of people like Kanwal that we will achieve the reality of a polio free world in the very near future.

•

www.rotarygbi.org

ROTARY IN ACTION

Exploring Ellesmere Port Rotary

The anatomy of a Rotary club With thousands of Rotary clubs across Great Britain and Ireland, each one is unique - made up of a dynamic mix of members who are passionate about different causes and projects. However, each club fundamentally works in the same way, following Rotary’s core values.

W

For more information visit: bit.ly/Ellesmere-Port 36 // ROTARY

e met with members of Ellesmere Port Rotary Club to explore not only how their club operates, but to discover the fundamental principles that make up their club. Ellesmere Port has a strong history of outstanding humanitarian projects that benefit both individuals at home and abroad. These range from its Vintage Prints project, to sending 500 unwanted caravans to Turkey to provide shelter after an earthquake struck the country. In this edition we meet some of the people who have made this all possible.

Gordon Vickers became President of Ellesmere Port Rotary Club in July, and it is his first time in the role in his 35 year history with Rotary. We explored what was the driving force behind him becoming a member back in 1980 and why Rotary has held a special place in his heart ever since. Gordon explained: “It was simple why I got involved, I like doing things for charity and Rotary is a perfect outlet to do some good. My motto for Rotary is ‘you get out what you put in’ and I certainly have reaped the benefits over the years”. It is not just Ellesmere Port that Gordon has had the benefit of being a member of, “I moved to Gibraltar in 2008, and the first thing I did was find my local Rotary club. It was a great way for me to meet new people in a new area and I was keen to keep my ties

Finishing a thrilling abseil

with Rotary. I came back to Ellesmere Port when I moved back in 2013.”

What is clear from our meetings with the club is that Ellesmere Port is a lively and vibrant club that is not only always on the lookout for new projects, but is thriving too. The club is currently made up of 25 members, and this year four new members have joined. Gordon stressed that the club has a great mix of people and some of www.rotarygbi.org

Helping with Kids Out

the most recent members are in their 20s and were looking for a place to do some good, just like he was when he first joined.

He continued: “The principles of Rotary haven’t changed in the years I have been a member, and young people are coming to us looking for ways to help their local community, and that was the main reason I joined. If I was starting as a new member today, my decision would still be the same.”

One new member is Phil Broeders, who joined 12 months ago and hasn’t looked back. We caught up with him to get a perspective of what it is like to see Rotary through new eyes, Phil comments: “I was approached by club member Bill Leslie to join him at a meeting as he was promoting what a brilliant club it was. On my second meeting I really bought into what Rotary was all about, and Ellesmere Port was an especially pro-active club, which has made big strides in helping local communities.

“I work full time and I have a busy schedule, but the great thing about Rotary is it gives you the opportunity to give a little www.rotarygbi.org

I work full time and I have a busy schedule, but the great thing about Rotary is it gives you the opportunity to give a little of your time to help make a difference.”

of your time to help make a difference. I try to help out where I can, and it’s flexible around my day job - for example we’re doing a Santa’s Grotto and I’m helping out on Sundays as that is when I am free. I would say to anyone who thinks they don’t have time to help, they do. Be it an hour every couple of weeks, it doesn’t take a lot to make a difference and if you find that something is worthwhile you can make time for it.”

A key project that Ellesmere Port Rotary Club is renowned for is its

Christmas card project, which is run by the club’s Secretary David Greaves. David joined back in 1996 and took charge of the Christmas card project in 2002. The project was set up by the club in the early 80s. Rotary clubs across the country receive an order form with current Christmas designs and David administers the orders and payments. In the last few years 40% of all clubs take part and each card costs 40p, of which 16p goes to the Rotary Foundation.

In 2016 the club is far from winding down from the success of its Christmas card project, and they are hoping to start the New Year with a bang. In the Queen’s 90th birthday year they are selling 35 life size statues of her to local Rotary clubs, encouraging them to make them into donation boxes for charities for the blind.

The purpose of the statues is to allow anyone who has sight problems, and has never been able to see the Queen, to be able to at least make out her facial features on the statue.

•

ROTARY // 37

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL

Aquabox

A local project reaching out to the world Wherever disaster strikes in the world there is a call for a means of safe water along with basic equipment to help families survive through the hardship.

A well-established Rotary charity responds to the call for help every time.

E

Lots of people want to volunteer and they come each day. If we have a disaster tomorrow we could get on the phone and have all the volunteers we want.”

For more information visit: aquabox.org 38 // ROTARY

stablished some 22 years ago by the Rotary Club of Wirksworth, Aquabox has sent out 105,000 boxes to disaster areas all over the world. Whatever way you look at the numbers, the figures are impressive. To find out a lot more about what they do and how they do it, I travelled to Cromford, a village on the edge of the Peak District in Derbyshire, to find out more.

Aquabox occupies three units on an industrial estate and one unit is stacked from floor to ceiling with the now famous blue boxes, ready to be filled and sent off to wherever they are required. In one unit I was shown an army of volunteers busily assembling Aquafilters, which is the main component of an Aquabox. In the third unit, the boxes were being packed by another group of volunteers with stocks of products on the surrounding shelves.

Mike Tomlinson and Roger Cassidy, along with John Buckley, sat down with me to tell me all about the project. Mike, as Chair of Trustees, explained: “The Rotary Club of Wirksworth runs the project and six of my colleagues are trustees. When we first started the project we took ordinary fold flat boxes and made them up along with the water filters for safe drinking water.

The filters were basic charcoal ones along with chlorine tablets. It’s only recently we have changed to the Aquafilter from Grifaid.” Mike went on to tell me how the

Family using Aquabox

project has developed since 1991: “At one time, we used to ship boxes to clubs to fill to a supplied list. However, quite often we would run into customs problems because of the varying content of the boxes, so we decided to bring the provision and filling of the contents in house. It’s become very much a community project here in the town.” I had to ask how much a box cost to fill and Roger, the Wirksworth Club President, replied: “A complete box costs www.rotarygbi.org

Aquabox changing lives in Africa

£120, and at present our plan is to fill 3,000 per year. The number is dependent on the funds coming in and the volunteers we have to load them. We would like to fill 5,000 a year, but it is a matter of income to fund the fillers and the boxes. We have plenty of volunteers prepared to come in and fill boxes.”

Aquabox, it turns out, is a true community project since they can call on an army of over 80 people to volunteer their time loading the boxes. Mike went into more detail: “Lots of people want to volunteer and they come each day except Wednesday but we could fill that day if we wanted. If we had a disaster tomorrow we could get on the phone and have all the volunteers we want.” As Mike says: “You never want to say 'no' to a volunteer, but sometimes we have to and we are trying to channel their skills into other areas.” Roger explained: “One of the guys upstairs has just run off some information on a grant fund we can apply to so he will help us in that way.” This brought me neatly to the question of funding and I was told: “The www.rotarygbi.org

project is funded 80% by Rotarians, when we visit conferences and clubs to talk about it. Inner Wheel funds us to the rate of 10% and we are really grateful to Scout Groups and Girl Guides making up the other 10%.”

I could not leave without asking about recent deployments and they are pretty impressive. Recently, a 40ft container was loaded with 500 boxes to go to Eastern Turkey to provide drinking water and alleviate the suffering of Syrian refugees.

Their partner on the ground, Hand in Hand for Syria, will distribute the boxes.

The week before, another container was bound for the Philippines, also containing 500 boxes. In all these, two containers will help 5,000 people, by supplying over two million litres of safe drinking water.

This long-term project has fulfilled a local need, with the volunteers helping in their community and an international need helping peoples a lot less fortunate.

The Rotary Club of Wirksworth, their friends and their community should be lauded for their efforts with a true humanitarian project.

•

FACTFILE

AQUABOX

has over 20 years • Aofquabox direct experience working

to bring emergency portable water and humanitarian aid to those affected by drought, earthquakes, typhoons, floods, conflict or crises

he UN estimates that 25,000 • Tchildren die every day from

the effects of drinking polluted water; around 700,000 children a year. Aquabox can play a vital part in minimising the after effects of such disasters

box is filled with • Eaach selection of useful

humanitarian aid (shelter, cooking, construction, hygiene and children’s items)

has already sent • Aaidquabox worth £140,000 to Syrian people and communities

ROTARY // 39

ROTARY

MEMBERSHIP This magazine outlines just a few of the activities, projects and work that Rotarians across the world take part in. If the articles are of interest and you would like to find out more about being part of the organisation visit our website: rotarygbi.org

Rotarians are ordinary men and women from all walks of life who have a desire to give something back to their community, whether it be locally or at an international level.

Associate Membership

Satellite Clubs

Corporate Membership

Membership of an eClub

Associate Membership is a way of trialling your local Rotary club with the intent of becoming a full member.

Corporate Membership is for a group within a company who wish to become members of Rotary. This is a good way of people within a company helping and getting involved with community matters and concerns.

Satellite clubs are springing up across the Great Britain and Ireland and these are clubs attached to and supported by an existing club.

They arrange meetings at times and venues to suit their members.

Membership of an eClub allows the member to attend meetings online rather than in person. This means members from all over the world can meet at any time of their choosing. Many meetings are recorded for viewing later. This is a good way of getting into Rotary at a time to suit you, that fits around your family and working life.

Join Leaders, Exchange Ideas, Take Action in your Community To find out more about Rotary visit:

rotarygbi.org

ADVERT

42 // ROTARY

www.rotarygbi.org

ADVERT

www.rotarygbi.org

ROTARY // 43

44 // ROTARY

www.rotarygbi.org

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL

WaterAid

After the success of the Rotary Ride 2015, we’re urging you to get on your bikes again in 2016 to have fun and raise money for prostate cancer.

Rotary Ride 2016 will take place over Father’s Day weekend, 18th – 19th June, with Rotary clubs across Great Britain and Ireland hosting various rides for all ages and abilities. The three types of events on offer are:

FUN RIDES - This is an ideal way for amateurs and families to take part in the Rotary Ride.

We’re making it fun for everyone to get out, get active and get involved with your local community.

ENTHUSIASTS -

For the more intrepid riders, this is a chance to take part in long distance or cross-country rides to really test you with others in the great outdoors.

STATIC RIDES - There are even static rides

available, so if you feel like taking part in a team relay, you can do so on an exercise bike in your local gym or leisure centre.

In 2015, an estimated 20,000 people teamed up with their local Rotary clubs at 250 events across Great Britain and Ireland.

One in eight men in the UK will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives. In partnership with Prostate UK, Prostate Scotland, Prostate Cymru and the Irish Cancer Society, events such as the Rotary Ride can help raise not only funds, but also awareness of prostate cancer. We are asking even more of you to dust off your helmets and make the Rotary Ride 2016 bigger and better than ever!

For more information and to find your nearest ride, visit:

rotaryride.co.uk www.rotarygbi.org

ROTARY // 45

ROTARY NEWS

Regional

The Rotary Effect Catching up with all the news from Rotary clubs around Great Britain and Ireland

Tiger boats on Derwentwater

Tigers spotted on Derwentwater

L

ocals in the Lake District took to the shores of Derwentwater Marina to catch a glimpse of the ninth Tiger Boat racing event organised by Bassenthwaite and Workington Derwent Rotary Clubs. Macmillan Cancer Research was nominated as the principal recipient of the £10,000 raised.

This year nine teams from local businesses and community groups, each comprising of 10 rowers, entered the competition. They were no doubt thankful that any bad weather stayed away and the waters of Derwentwater Marina remained calm.

The Cockermouth Mechanics’ Band, not only wowed the crowds with their musical talents, but were also placed second in the race. Jeremy Clarkson, of Ullock, swapped his

usual position playing solo cornet to paddle with the team. He said: “We thought we could raise some money for band funds. It’s good to be involved in something in the community. It’s a nice day as well and it’s nice to be in the Lakes.”

Alan Urquhart, from Bassenthwaite Rotary Club and joint organiser of the race event, said: “It was a great day enjoyed by all.

Between the money which Rotary ends up with and the money the teams get themselves we inject about £10,000 into good causes.”

MONEY RAISED

£10,000

Winter warmers

C

hristmas came early for the Children’s Ark, Pendeen as Rotarians from Mounts Bay Rotary Club visited the care and educational facility to deliver a comforting gift.

Members presented a cheque to the centre on behalf of the club, which helped fund waterproof clothing to keep the children warm and dry when playing outside during the winter months. Jerry Drew, on behalf of the club, said: “The Children’s Ark is a great facility for little ones to make new friends and learn while having fun. We thought it was a shame that when the cold weather comes they could miss out on the outdoor activities that they love, so we raised money to ensure they could continue to make the most of what the great outdoors has to offer.”

46 // ROTARY

The Children’s Ark wrapped up for the weather in Penzance

Celebrating on the cobbles

European adventure

R

otary clubs from the UK and Denmark took part in an epic cycling challenge across Europe to raise funds for a children’s heart hospital, a hospice and a community voluntary service (CVS).

Following a year of training Tony Beenham and Adrian Perkins, Church Wilne Rotary Club’s President and Vice President respectively, travelled to Hinnerup in Denmark where they joined forces with four other clubs to take on the ride to Paris.

The scale of the ride was well and truly matched by the fundraising achievements, with the ride collecting over £31,000 for Denmark’s Children’s Heart Hospital, £25,000 towards international and local community projects, and £1,150 collected for local Derby charities, Treetops Hospice and Erewash Voluntary Action CVS. The team of riders, whose ages ranged from 19 through to 65, set off on their weeklong voyage, which saw them travel through Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands and France.

Riders, tired but very happy with their achievement, were greeted in the French capital’s iconic Place de la Concorde by delighted family, friends and colleagues.

Adrian commented: “It was hard work but also enjoyable. It was such a rewarding experience cycling with our Rotary colleagues from Denmark.”

www.rotarygbi.org

ROTARY NEWS

Regional

An Automated External Defibrillator

At the heart of Sowerby Bridge

Some of the runners off to a great start

Perfect 10!

I

t is a decade of success for the Rotary Club of Folkestone, as they celebrate their 10th Annual Half Marathon, with over £25,000 being raised for Kent MS Therapy Centre, which is dedicated to improving the lives of those with Multiple Sclerosis, their families and those who care for them.

This year, over 560 participants took part in the run, which included 30 contestants in the third annual children’s race, with contenders’ ages ranging from between three and 80.

A special mention was given to race winner, Robert Latala, and the first lady finisher, Maria Heslop, who completed the course in 1hr 15 minutes and 1hr 25 minutes respectively.

They each received a £100 prize, courtesy of Independent Insurance Services. Also, a huge

well done to Joshua O’Brien, winner of the children’s run.

One participant commented: “The event was well organised and had a great atmosphere. I was particularly impressed by the marshals who were helpful and supportive all the way round.”

Since 2006, over £290,000 has been raised by the Folkestone Annual Half Marathon, all of which has gone towards numerous great local causes.

MONEY RAISED SINCE 2006

£290,000

Teddies for traumas

R

Boy with teddy, Milele project, Kenya

www.rotarygbi.org

otary came to the rescue of Elaine Taylor, a member of the Rotary Club of Lutterworth, after her plans to distribute knitted teddy bears to local hospices fell through. With the help of Rotary, Elaine was able to find outlets to deliver over 5,000 knitted teddy bears to locations right across the globe.

Doctors have found that teddy bears are a great way for children to recover from trauma faster and with the help of dedicated knitters, children across five different continents will now have a friend by their side.

From Australia to Zambia, the initiative really did cover the world’s A-Z, eventually touching children’s lives in 34 different countries. In order to make the bears truly

T

he Rotary Club of Sowerby Bridge is helping to save lives, thanks to raising over £9,000 towards installing five Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).

The Club raised the money in less than 12 months, and Yorkshire Ambulance Service’s Community Defibrillation Officer, John Spikings, has declared Sowerby Bridge a 'Heart Safe Town'.

The AEDs are easy to use, and with the help of both the Yorkshire Ambulance Service, who have provided the public with free familiarisation sessions, and the machines’ additional visual prompts, users will be able to maximise their response times.

Dr Andy Lockey, Honorary Secretary of Resuscitation Council UK, remarked that the initiative will: “Undoubtedly lead to lives being saved.”

He also emphasised the need to boost awareness of defibrillators, commenting: “They are 100% safe to use, cause no harm and continue to highlight the British Heart Foundation’s campaign, which is supporting a private members bill to get First Aid taught in schools.”

For more information on the Club visit: bit.ly/Sowerby-Bridge

universal, their accompanying written message was also translated into various languages.

The latest batch is going to ‘Love in a Box’ and will be distributed in orphanages in Moldova and Ukraine. Others are on their way to Mumbai and Haiti, with 100 being sent to Wirksworth for inclusion in Rotary Aquaboxes.

As well as abroad, the scheme benefitted children closer to home too, through partnerships with various charities and organisations such as Barnado’s, British Red Cross and Air Ambulance.

ROTARY // 47

ROTARY NEWS

Regional

Tackling youth homelessness

A

©Sony Pictures - Daniel Craig in Spectre

Waterford Rotary licensed to thrill

J

ames Bond isn’t just helping Queen and country with the latest Spectre film, the secret agent has helped to raise thousands for local causes thanks to a special screening of the film by the Rotary Club of Waterford. Waterford Hospice was the main beneficiary of the event, and it provides palliative care services for patients with life threatening illnesses in Waterford City, County and in South Kilkenny.

The club held a special ‘premiere sequel’ of Spectre at the Waterford Omniplex, inviting cinemagoers along to enjoy an evening of adventure and fundraising.

Some of the fastest competitors

Right on cue!

T

he Rotary Club of Banbury was on a mission to find the Fastest Cue-Slinger in town, while helping to raise money for the refurbishment of toilet facilities at a school in Sierra Leone.

The aim of the contest is to be the quickest player to pot the 10 red snooker balls.

48 // ROTARY

Nora Widger, President of the Rotary Club of Waterford, said: “We were delighted to return with another film night, and what a film! The Bond films are always exciting and popular and we were so pleased such a large number of people came along on the night.”

Rotary Club of Waterford raised approximately €30,000 for charities in 2014.

MONEY RAISED

€30,000

Positioned under the bandstand in Banbury Town Centre, 52 competitors took part across four events, before the overall winner was crowned.

The prestigious title of Fastest CueSlinger in Banbury went to Adam Maylor, who pocketed his 10 red balls in a lightning quick one minute and four seconds, a time that would have Ronnie ‘The Rocket’ O’Sullivan looking over his shoulder. In addition to a £25 voucher, Adam will get the chance to see some of the world’s greatest snooker players in action, as he also walked away with two tickets for the final of the 2015 Champion of Champions snooker tournament in Coventry.

Adam commented: “It was really great to win the competition and I thank the Rotary Club of Banbury for setting the whole thing up.

I really enjoyed the day.”

The competition helped raise nearly £150, which will go towards improving sanitary conditions for children at the Christian Hope School in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

charity fighting homelessness in the South West has received a £15,000 financial rescue package from 13 Rotary clubs across North Devon and Torridge to ensure that it can continue to provide emergency shelter to young people.

Encompass South West, a local poverty and homelessness prevention charity, manages the Nightstop project, which offers accommodation to young people aged 16-25 one night at a time.

The project relies upon the help of voluntary hosts and drivers who can provide respite and support for young people who have nowhere to stay.

Since October 2014, Nightstop has provided 109 beds to young people across Northern Devon, with over 90% of young people moving on to permanent accommodation.

Don Adams, from the Bideford Bridge Rotary Club, was just one of the many supporters of the Nightstop project, and the group of clubs came to the rescue after being made aware that project funding was coming to an end.

Don Adams explains: “When we became aware of the potential loss of the programme, I was immediately convinced that this was a project where all the local Rotary clubs could work together to make a difference. It’s such a worthwhile project and we’re delighted that it will be able to continue to operate.”

For more information on Encompass South West visit: bpag-encompass.org.uk

Publicising the Nightstop project

www.rotarygbi.org

ROTARY NEWS

Regional

©Sandra Davidson - Redbridge Rotary Club

A blast from the past

Crowning the Masterchef

M

asterchef came to Inverness when the local Rotary club joined forces with schools across the city to test youngsters’ culinary talents and give students the opportunity to gain experience in a busy restaurant environment.

The Rotary Club of Inverness Culloden ran the competition with a range of secondary schools and pupils competing, with the aim of helping them to build their cooking skills.

During the first and second rounds competitors were asked to purchase food and prepare a meal for two local chefs, with the winners going through to the semi-final.

The panel of judges deliberate

To prepare the five finalists for the last round, they were all invited to a top local restaurant and spent a day with the guidance of chefs.

The final was held at the University of Highlands and Islands, and the students were asked to prepare a three course menu.

Mark Greenaway, from Mark Greenaway Restaurant, Brian McLeish, BBC Professional Masterchef Finalist 2014, and Kevin MacGillivray, President of Confederation of Chefs Scotland, judged their meals.

Megan Keith, 13, from Milburn Academy was crowned the overall winner with her menu of seared scallops, venison and chocolate and salted caramel pudding.

Going the extra mile

M

acmillan Cancer Support, Action for Children, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and the Glebe Centre benefited to the sum of £17,000 when over 650 runners invaded Walsall Arboretum to participate in the local Rotary club’s annual fun run.

Athletes of all abilities were accommodated for with the option of different race lengths, covering a 10km or 5km run, or a 3km family walk.

One family really did go the extra mile, bringing along their three-year-old Alaskan Malamute dog, Izzy, who happily donned a Walsall Heart Care charity t-shirt to show her support.

The great atmosphere was matched by the glorious sunshine, and Rotary Club of Walsall President Nick Gray said: “We were

www.rotarygbi.org

delighted with the turnout of runners and spectators. It was another successful run, roll on our 30th anniversary next year when once again we can help local good causes.”

For more information on the Rotary Club of Walsall visit: walsallrotary.org

T

he Rotary Club of Redbridge continues to support humanitarian causes across the world as they travelled back in time to host a 1940s swing dance evening to raise money for Rotary’s own charity, The Rotary Foundation.

Locals attended the event, which was organised by Rotarian Tony Betts, dressed in vintage 1940s clothing and over 50 guests were treated to the music of Cody Lee Smart who played a variety of rock ‘n’ roll, swing and blues music while the guests danced the night away. Swing Patrol, a troupe of community dancers, who you may recognise from BBC’s Dragon’s Den, also performed on the night.

As well as the themed clothing and music, guests were issued with ration books, which they used to claim their 1940s-style supper of fish and chips and apple pie.

Club Secretary, Sharon Nathanson, commented: “It’s wonderful we could raise money in such an original way for people less fortunate than ourselves and at the same time have an absolutely fabulous, fun-filled evening. I think everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves! Thanks to everyone who made the evening such a success.”

GET IN TOUCH...

Got a story for us? Send it in (with a good quality picture) to editor@rotarygbi.org

Also: Look for us online at rotarygbi.org or follow us on Facebook: /RotaryinGBI Twitter: @RotaryGBI and LinkedIn: Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland Fun runs are a great way to raise money

ROTARY // 49

SOCIAL MEDIA

News feed

It’s gone viral!

Saturday 24th October was World Polio Day 2015 and there was a real buzz on social media!

*

This World Polio Day we are closer than ever in the fight to #endpolio.

Join #Rotary @Rotaract and let’s make history! http://thndr.me/02jIHk SOCIAL REACH

889,000 *A Thunderclap is when a large numbers of people and organisations come together simultaneously to support the same cause.

Bill Gates

Pen to paper Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and long term polio eradication campaigner, was very busy on social media in the run up to World Polio Day 2015. He tweeted an animated map tracking the brilliant progress of polio eradication worldwide from 1988 to 2015.

He also has published a letter to all those who have contributed to fight

against polio. The letter has been shared on social media over 3,000 times with the video version gaining over 9,500 views on YouTube. Gates said that because of the tireless work of polio fighters, over 10 million children are alive and walking today, who might otherwise have contracted polio. bit.ly/BillGatesLetter

People from 52 countries tweeted the hashtag #endpolio in the week after World Polio Day 2015, with a reach of 3.5 million people.

SOCIAL REACH

3.5 million

Loyal supporter Brazilian footballer Alexandre Pato took to Instagram to show his support for World Polio Day. 31,000 likes - @pato #Rotary #UNICEF #GatesFoundation #WorldPolioDay #endpolio. bit.ly/PatoInstagram

In less than one week, 9.5 million people saw #worldpolioday, on Twitter. That’s 18 people every second.

PEOPLE REACHED

ACHIEVED

31,000 likes

9.5 million

FOLLOW US Visit our Facebook page: facebook.com/RotaryinGBI or follow us on Twitter: @RotaryGBI and LinkedIn: Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland for the latest news and activity from Rotary and our clubs.

50 // ROTARY

www.rotarygbi.org

www.rotarygbi.org

ROTARY // 51