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"The Stop Hunger Now meal packing programme is really making a difference to the lives of the children at Soweto Academy, Kibera, Kenya. Not only does it alleviate hunger is also keeps them in education. Without the food numbers at the school dropped from 800 to 450. Thankfully with the food we packed the numbers are starting to increase." Irene Russell, Warrington Rotary, Organiser of the first UK Rotary Stop Hunger Now 100k mealpack
Last weekend Worsley Bridgewater Rotary Satellite Group and Worsley Rotary Club delivered our 'Reverse Advent Calendar ' supplies for homeless members of our community to Coffee4Craig.
It was a great opportunity for us to help the Coffee4Craig leaders, Risha Lancaster and Sam and Jay Quincey as we all sorted the supplies together and they loaded up their cars taking supplies to Manchester Hostels for the homeless as a severe weather warning was had been issued !
All Rotarians, new and old, in Worsley are committed to continuing this support on a long term basis as we all know that 'Worsley Cares' !
1285 District, Club Treasurer - Tim Smith has just finished his first 6 months of a 3 year term as a member of the Rotary International Finance Committee.
He was appointed as part of a pilot scheme to encourage qualified and experience Rotarians who were not known to senior leaders to take part to bring a fresh perspective. Tim described himself as a young 50 year, Chartered Accountant with a focus on European Operational Audits on his application. With over 1,000 application for 26 positions throughout Rotary International Standing Committees this is a major vote of confidence in him.
With a Budget of US$100m and over 800 staff Rotary International has plenty of issues to keep the Finance Committee occupied. The fact that the UK has its own Administration unit of RIBI is not held against him too much. However this does provide a good counter point when discussions about RI International offices are held.
If you would like to hear more about the inner working of Rotary International & One Rotary Centre in Evanston, please contact Tim at Alsager Rotary
Link to full article below
Download Alsager Club Treasurer serves on Rotary International Finance Committee-1
Stockport Lamplighter had an extremely successful December as their Christmas Float raised the fantastic total of over £11,000, the most since the float started over twenty years ago. As well as bringing cheer to hundreds of children and adults on their route the Club were delighted to unexpectedly receive wrapped presents on two occasions from the General Public.
As luck would have it, on one route, the Manager from Signpost, an organisation in Stockport assisting Young Carers, was one of the collectors and a couple came out of their house with two carrier bags full of brand new presents which they gave to Father Christmas. The Manager was more than delighted as this enabled her to give each of the young people in her organisation an extra present for Christmas which certainly enhanced their day.
Commemorations to remember millions of people killed in the Holocaust and in subsequent genocides are set to take place across Wigan Borough on Holocaust Memorial Day.
Special events organised by the Museum of Wigan Life and Wigan Rotary Club will be hosted on Friday 27 January; at Leigh Town Hall from 11.00am and Wigan Town Hall from 2.00pm.
A number of readings will be made, along with a performance by students from St. John Fisher High School.
The events will be opened by Councillor Paul Kenny, with a statement of commitment to be read by the Mayor of Wigan Borough Councillor Ron Conway, who will emphasise the importance of communities joining together to help educate future generations as to how they can help those who have survived genocides.
“It’s vital that people across Wigan Borough, the rest of the country and the World come together on Holocaust Memorial Day to not only remember the victims, but to encourage the ways in which we can support survivors and protect the rights of marginalised communities.
“I would like to ask residents to consider how this can be done within their communities and, where possible, attend one of the commemoration events to help to continue raising awareness.”
This year’s theme asks the question ‘How can life go on?’, focusing on key issues such as; trauma and coming to terms with the past, displacement and refugees, justice, rebuilding communities, reconciliation and forgiveness, remembering , facing hate and teaching us about living. If you would like to find out more about the events, please contact 01942 828128 or e-mail wiganmuseum@wigan.gov.uk
Holocaust Memorial Day is a national commemoration, with events taking place across the country
Ten years ago, Bimma village in Ghana consisted of 2,500 farmers scratching a living by inappropriate farming. Polluted water and lack of sanitation meant three in ten babies died aged under two years.
Bimma’s fortunes changed in 2008 when Barrie Coates, from the Rotary Club of Leigh, visited Bimma and formed a relationship with Ghana’s charity ‘Ashanti Development’, who undertook the planning and work under matching grant conditions.
The main goals, which were all achieved, were to provide: -
Clean Water – to prevent disease and to save having to walk for hours each day to a dirty, mosquito infested pool;
A Latrine for each family - to reduce illness;
A Primary School - so children have a meal each day;
Food Production – education, finance and facilities.
A recent report has said that Bimma is now recognised as the best grower of vegetables out of 200 villages in the Ashanti Region.
Part of the success was due to a Micro-Finance scheme where farmers are loaned £100 per year for seeds, fertiliser, etc. This is repayable with interest, which then goes to help farmer after farmer.
The British Overseas Development Agency recently visited Bimma to learn how the training and marketing is done and want to use this as a model for other regions.
Babies rarely die in Bimma nowadays and it is one of the most sought-after places to live in the Ashanti Region.
Written & submitted by Brian Mills – Vice President & Secretary - Rotary Club of Leigh
The annual ‘Inspire’ concert will take place on Friday 20th January 2017 at Trinity URC, Milton Grove, Wigan, starting at 7.30pm. This year’s concert will feature outstanding performances from percussionists, singers, wind and string players in a most varied and entertaining programme.
The concert features invited young musicians from across the Wigan borough, most of whom studied through Wigan Council’s award winning Music Service and many were finalists and prize winners from the annual Wigan Young Musician of the Year concert held every July.
The event is supported by Rotary Club of Wigan and John and Barbara O’Neill who champion and support young local musician.
Head of Music Service Dave Little said:
“Last year’s concert was a huge success, providing a wonderful platform for some of our finest young musicians to perform as soloists in front of a supportive audience. We are grateful to The Rotary Club of Wigan and John and Barbara O’Neill for helping us to make this opportunity possible. “
“Proceeds of the concert will go to supporting the Wigan Music Service ‘Assisted Tuition Scheme’, which provides help for most needy by reducing the cost of learning to play a musical instrument and the ‘O’Neill Bursary Fund’ for gifted and talented young musicians.”
Tickets are priced at £5.00 and £4.00 for concessionaries and are available on the door.
“Inspire!” concert – Friday 20th January 2017 – Trinity URC, Milton Grove, Wigan, WN1 2PG.
New Year resolutions to get fit are great but sometimes we all need motivation and a goal. How about taking part in the Macclesfield Castle Rotary club annual swimathon on Sunday March 12th at
Macclesfield Leisure centre? It is all about having fun and raising money for your and Rotary charities. Enter a team of 4/6 of friends, family or colleagues and swim in relay for 45 minutes and have a
Whale of a time! Last year 50 teams took part and one of the teams shown was the Prestbury Methodist Church's Hawaiian Flagtails who are Steve Oliver, Sian Bradley, Mayor of Macclesfield Liz Durham, Lynn Oliver, Diana Jones and Valerie Jones with them Macclesfield Castle Rotary president James Anderton.
Last year teams raised money for Scout groups, Macclesfield Eye Society, Autism group, Age UK, SUSO, Seals, EC Hospice and many more so make up a group and come along. To enter obtain an application form from the Macclesfield Castle Rotary web site or email keithdobsondpa@aol.com
Ramsbottom Rotary wish to thank everyone who helped Santa and his sleigh to raise an amazing £5,841.33p for local and national good causes. This year a total of 96 collectors included Rotarians, their families and friends, Ramsbottom Primary School PTA's, St. Andrews Scouts and members of Bury Kayak club and Bury Sub Aqua Club braved the elements to take Santa on a tour of the streets of Ramsbottom. The PTAs said they had a wonderful time and can't wait for next year, they all get a share of collections.
Grateful thanks go to RRG of Bury who provided a towing vehicle along with driver Chris who did a fantastic job.
The President of Ramsbottom Rotary Michael Colbert said the team had done a wonderful job, taking the Sleigh out nineteen times over the Christmas period, and a big thank you to all the helpers, we could not have done it without you.
Also a thanks to all the local pubs in Ramsbottom who supported Santa on his rounds. And finally thanks to Ramsbottom Fire Station for all their help and support and not forgetting the supermarkets who were equally supportive.
Thanks to one and all.
