Seaford Rotary

Santa visits Seaford

Santa accepted Seaford Rotary’s invitation and visited the streets of Seaford between 1st and 23rd December and Broad Street each Saturday morning including Christmas Eve. It was a joy to see the excited and, in some cases, awe-struck children as Santa spoke to them and they received sweets from him.

Seaford Rotary Club would like to thank all the residents of Seaford for your generosity. At the time of going to press, the results of the collections are not yet known but a full report will be provided in the February issue of Seaford Scene. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all the volunteers who accompanied Santa to help with the collections, and without whom Santa’s visit would not have been possible. Seaford Rotary wishes Seaford good health and a happy and prosperous new year.

The Philip Moorey Young Citizen of the Year Award

On Friday 18th November around 50 people assembled at Mercread Youth Centre for the inaugural award of the Seaford Young Citizen of the Year. The Young Citizen Award is named after Philip Moorey because of the splendid work that he did, both for Seaford Rotary and for the Mercread Youth Centre. His passing in 2020 was untimely and he is sadly missed by all who knew him.

Before the award was presented, speakers spoke about the work that is carried out by various organisations and individuals to support the town’s youth. The evening was a ‘Celebration of Seaford Youth’ as well as an award evening. Paul Vaesen, Chair of Seaford Rotary Youth Services committee gave examples of the many contributions given by Seaford Rotary to individuals and organisations providing benefits to Seaford youth. Ceri Robley (Vice Chair, Mercread Youth Centre) spoke about the activities available at Mercread Youth Centre, and Roger Daw talked about community projects carried out by the Youth Forum.

The three nominees who were shortlisted for the award were introduced by members of the judging panel. Isla McKellar (presented by Roger Daw) has inspired more than 40 young people to join Titan Kids and Teens Fitness club who she coaches. Rose Millington (presented by Bob Ellis, Headteacher of Seaford Head School) has been volunteering for four years through the England Netball Pass on your Passion scheme at Seaford Netball Club and is currently umpiring in the local Junior Netball league.

Hayden Roberts (presented by James Jenkins, past Young Mayor of Seaford) has campaigned to improve society for all through his work with the Youth Forum, the Youth Cabinet, the Youth Trust, and the East Sussex Community Voice. He has fundraised for Bike Racks for Seaford seafront; campaigned on knife crime, domestic violence, and the environment, and was host for the 2020 School Democracy Awards at the Houses of Parliament.

Hayden Roberts was announced as the Seaford Young Citizen of the Year and presented with the Philip Moorey Award 2022 by Philip Moorey’s widow Elaine. Seaford Rotary President Ann Reed presented him with a cash prize from Seaford Rotary and Elaine Moorey. Ann Reed also presented cash prizes donated by Mercread Youth Centre to Isla McKellar and Rose Millington.

A big thank you to all that made this extraordinarily successful event possible and helped to celebrate the good work done by the youth of Seaford.

Seaford Rotary welcomes new members and new Friends of Seaford Rotary. For more information, please email contact@seafordrotary.org.uk or contact us at www.seafordrotary.org.uk.

Photos from top: Mayor Olivia Honeyman and Santa switching on the Christmas lights during Seaford Magic; Rose Millington, President Ann Reed, Isla McKellar and Haydn Roberts.