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service above self
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Rotary is often noted for significant international projects such as
the struggle to
eradicate Polio from the
world. However, Rotarians are also very active in their local
communities. This takes
many forms. Sometimes, it's a case of raising the funds for someone
else to undertake a social project, e.g. purchase of equipment for
hospitals; assisting a young person to undertake an overseas trip or
a study project; or providing funds for a children's hospice towards
the care of young people with life-limiting medical conditions.
Sometimes though, it's simply a case of rolled-up-sleeve Rotarianism
with assistance at public events, providing helping hands to those
in need, driving the community minibuses or even undertaking a
physically demanding project on behalf of some who are less able to
do this for themselves. |
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The Calvert Trust.
 For
many years now,
Rotary
clubs
in District 1070 have
provided support and assistance so
that local people who are less physically or mentally able can visit
Calvert House at Bassenthwaite in the Lake District. Delegates are
encouraged to take part in a range of physical activities which
includes horse riding, fell trekking, abseiling and canoeing, as
well as a range of social activities in the evening. Here we see a
wheelchair bound delegate, assisted by one of the Trust's permanent
staff, abseiling down a vertical cliff face which would have been
challenging enough for an able bodied person. |
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Fund Raising
Each year, Rotary
Clubs in District 1070 raise and contributes significant
funds to local, national and international good causes through a
variety of fund raising initiatives.
This takes all sorts of forms from sponsored walking and swimming,
to dressing in funny costumes and joining in at the local carnival
or fete. This is sometimes done in association with other
organisations such as The Lions (as here Spalding, and South Holland
Rotary Clubs joined with local Lions at the Spalding Flower Parade).
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Active with
Rolled up Sleeves
Rotary Clubs also serves
the community in many practical ways, not just in fundraising. In
response to a request, a
Lutterworth Wycliffe Rotarian - a builder by profession - was
recently able to obtain and fit a patio door
from a local donor to the home of a housebound lady with
severe mobility problems. The patio door allows her to access the
rear garden of her home
from which she had been excluded for sixteen years. Previously, her
only access had been to go out of the front door and through
the garage in her wheelchair. The lovely thing was, she didn't know
it was going to happen and come home after a day out to find it
finished. She can now get herself outside unassisted and enjoys the
sunshine and fresh air.
On a another occasion, hard landscaping was undertaken at the home
of a young mother with a large family who had been tragically
widowed and could not manage to maintain the family garden in a
suitable condition to ensure her children’s safety. |
(Students from Lutterworth Grammar
School, immediately prior to their 2006 Rotary supported trip to the
European Union
Parliament in Strasbourg |
Helping Young People.
The club helps young people in many
ways. Mock job interviews are held for those about to go into the
world of employment; financial grants are considered to those who
want to undertake humanitarian projects; training and management
projects are organised and funded for others. All requests for help
are carefully considered from young people. We also assist young
people to achieve their ambitions to do things a little more out of
the ordinary such as Educational abroad. |
Active at Fun Days:
Rotary Clubs
are
active in many ways, whether it be marshalling for
a town carnival, at
events held by other charitable organisations, or at events which we
organise ourselves.
Clubs
regularly hosts groups of
members from
local
'Gateway Clubs' at
the
District fun day organised at Rockingham Castle.
Clubs maintain
continuing involvement with organisations such as Gateway in terms
of providing transportation for Outings and for Christmas and other
shopping trips. Here, one club's
favourite, Jilly, tries to win a goldfish in the ’Bag a Rotarian’
competition. |
Further material for this page is warmly
welcomed from Rotary Clubs.
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