NOW ROTARY SUMMER 2020 - Rotary RIBI
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ROTARY
SUMMER 2020
NOW
N Wales & NW England
ROTARY NOW IT’S A
Stories and events from around Rotary District 1180.
80 Rotary Clubs throughout North & Mid Wales, WHOLE NEW
Borderland, Cheshire, Wirral, Merseyside & West Lancs.
WORLD
District Governor: Rtn. David Hartley Editor - Keith C. Mitchell
Rotary in Maghull & Aughton
Fellow Rotarians,
Welcome to a new world as this is the first time your Rotary NoW magazine
Editorial is being published only as a digital production. We are living in
Editor: Rtn. Keith Mitchell unprecedented times due to Covid19, a global pandemic which originated in
Stalk House, High Street, Mawdesley, L40 3TD the Far East.
Tel: 01704 822577 Following the national lockdown announced in March, Rotary has been
Email: kcmitchell@hotmail.co.uk conducted in a very different way during the last 3 months. I understand that
most Clubs in District 1180 have embraced modern technology by holding
Design & Layout: Dene Comish
virtual meetings via Zoom or other online platforms. Didn't you do well
Mob: 07792 276543
Email: denecom@me.com
(Brucie F)!!
This is the first edition of a new Rotary year. We say thank you to high flying
IT (Web/Social Media/Graphics): Rtn. James Thomas Bob for a superb year even though the last 3 months have been challenging.
Mob: 07736 526050 He has kept us fully informed each month with Bob's Bugle.
Email: skierkats@gmail.com We welcome David Hartley as our DG for 2020-21 wishing him well for an
enjoyable and fulfilling year.
Advertising in Rotary NoW
All preparations for the next Rotary year have been virtual including PEPS
1180 News is the ideal media to reach like-minded people
and District Assembly with separate ‘Zooms’ for the standing committees.
throughout the region at nominal cost. All advertisements are
Thanks to DG David and Public Image lead James Thomas who arranged and
taken at face value.
hosted the excellent presentations involving over 80 members for each of
Sponsorship and advertising contributions enables this prestigious the 7 meetings.
publication to be undertaken free of charge. Sadly, during the PEPS meeting for Areas 1&2, Paul Silcock, PE for Ormskirk
suffered a catastrophic heart attack. As Paul lived alone, those present were
Please contact Keith Mitchell for details. helpless and only able to alert the emergency services. By the time they
arrived it was too late anyway.
Submissions to 1180 News
Those who knew Paul respected him as a wonderful and dedicated Rotarian
Advertisements, reports, letters, photographs and brief comments
who always put others before himself; he will be a sad loss to Rotary but
required.
also to humanity.
We reserve right to edit. Published items do not necessarily reflect Besides Rotary, particularly the annual District Fun Games at Chester, Paul
the views of the Editor, nor does the Editor take responsibility for had many varied interests including golf, fell walking, choir and a deep
errors of fact that may be expressed by the writers. Articles and passion for photography.
opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individuals With this in mind I'm pleased to advise that Ormskirk Rotary is donating a
and given in good faith. trophy for a new District photographic competition.
It will be an open competition launched on Wednesday 8th July at the virtual
Acceptable formats:
Text: Word document (.doc, .txt) attached to email, or on CD/USB
District Council meeting. Closing date for entries is Tuesday 8th September at
stick. Please avoid using Excel and PowerPoint, hand-written midnight. Details to be found on page 17 & 32. The judging will be lead by
articles, printed hard copy or links to Facebook! Mike McNamee (RC Royden Revolve), editor and professional Image maker.
Following judging on September 12th, 1000 copies of an A3 calendar will be
Please don’t embed photos in Word or PowerPoint as it renders being produced and will be available for the October District Council
them almost unusable. Send them separately as detailed below. meeting.
It was with great sadness to learn of the death of Mike Pepper PHF and PP
Images: If digital send high resolution (300dpi) JPEG file, in colour,
Welshpool Rotary Club. A true Gentleman, who was respected by all who
full-size and we’ll reduce to fit.
knew him. I appreciate the opportunity to publish the fitting Eulogy
Wherever possible send the original High Resolution file or real delivered by PDG Molly Youd shown on page 9 and covering the many
photos for scanning with s.a.e. if to be returned. (NOT inkjet attributes of a wonderful Rotarian.
prints please unless very good quality). Let us hope that by Tuesday 20th October we will be in a better place than
we are currently.
QUALITY photos are needed for the cover shot. If digital - a high Yours in Rotary,
quality image at original file size (5-10mb). If taken on film
camera a good sharp 7”x 5” or larger to scan.
DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE
SUNDAY 27th SEPTEMBER 2020 Front cover image:
R.I. President Elect Holger Knaack congratulating David Hartley.
2 Rotary NoW Summer 2020
DISTRICT GOVERNOR
DAVID HARTLEY
Hi All, 1) to encourage more Sustaining Members for Foundation,
Since the beginning of March my feet 2) to hold at least one dedicated fundraising event for End Polio Now
don’t seem to have touched the and finally,
ground. I’ve had to furlough the staff 3) a Community Project Challenge. This is to get Clubs out into their
for their own safety. Working behind communities which will have endless repercussions, especially with
the Post Office counter in such close Rotary Public Image. It will hopefully create renewed interest in
proximity would not be fair on either Rotary and future new members. After all, all these 1 million plus
of us. However, since relaxed rulings volunteers that the Coronavirus has created are actually Rotarians,
have come in I have opened regular they just don’t know it yet. Admittedly it won't be easy in current
hours with one member of staff times but again, if we can lay the plans. Fundraising has been
working mornings and me in the challenging to say the least but the initiatives have been
David Hartley. afternoon. I've never worked part-time extraordinary. Congratulations to those who have thought
before, I could get used to it. differently.
AG’s and Service Leads sessions to being unable to meet F2F has been Tell us a little about your background?
challenging to say the least. It’s not as if we had anyone to emulate, My background is in retail. We bought our first Post Office in Nelson in
no one has ever been faced with this before and I sincerely hope will 2000. This office also had a newsagents. If I never see another
never have to do so again in the future. I really feel for DG Bob as his newspaper again it will be too soon. On top of the newsagents we
year came to an abrupt end but looking at the way things are going, I also opened an Off Licence working from 6am to 10pm seven days a
very much doubt mine will start anytime soon. I’ve had so many week. In the five years we were in the office we increased the shop
cancellations already, from The Llangollen Eisteddfod to the Chester takings by 700% but it almost killed us. Our second office we returned
Raft Race and the Northwich River Festival. All very disappointing but to Southport. Not my home town but I have lived here longer than I
understandable. We are dealing with an invisible killer and must take did in my birthplace of Rochdale. My accent still trips me up from time
every precaution to avoid it at every cost, even now. to time. I had hoped to put subtitles along with my video which I sent
I personally attended every PEP’s session, basically to introduce myself. out to President Elects. Unfortunately it didn’t recognise my Lancashire
They have been extremely successful and all credit to the team, they accent. It would have caused a laugh though!
have worked really hard in these unprecedented times. All were How long have you been involved with Rotary and what made
exceptional, that was until Paul Silcock died in front of our eyes. It was you join?
absolutely horrendous and we felt so helpless. Thankfully I managed to I have been in Rotary since 1997 when I hosted the then President of
get through to Paul’s friend, Vicky who was there within minutes. Southport Rotary at the Samaritans AGM. He asked if I’d ever thought
Unfortunately it was too late, he went out like a light. I, and I’m sure of joining Rotary at which I laughed. I thought, as I’m afraid many still
everyone else who was on the call are still reeling from the dreadful do, that Rotary was for ROMEO’s, Rich Old Men Eating Out. Anyway, I
experience. RIP Paul, you will be sorely missed. decided to go along and give it a try. It was all very formal in those
District Council will not take place F2F, again it will be online. I days with suits and ties and certainly no ladies. Thankfully those days
sincerely hope as many of you will attend District Council as it will be are gone. Within three months I was asked to Chair Community with a
like no other we have held. We are basing Council on District Committee of 26 members. It was daunting to say the least but I felt
Assembly, which took place on Saturday and Sunday 9th & 10th May. wanted. I would encourage any Club to make new members welcome
If there is one opportunity that COVID-19 has thrown our way, with by involving them , ideally with projects. Remember M&M’s, not the
this year’s theme of Rotary Connects the World, Zoom has opened the chocolates but Make Membership Memorable. That’s the way to retain
world and its offers to us. One evening I was on a Zoom Meeting with members, especially new ones.
East Nassau Rotary from the Bahamas where I was chatting with RI What is your Rotary moment?
Past President Barry Rassin, a PDG from Jamaica and another PDG
My Rotary moment was when, as KidsOut Ambassador I asked at one
from the Bahamas. The latter two joined us on our Roadshow just
of their meetings if they had ever donated their Toybox Appeal to a
afterwards. With my two, yes two District Assemblies - I had to split
children’s hospital. Although it had never happened before they
them over two evenings as I invited, but didn’t expect R.I. President
agreed. At a guesstimate I would say when they delivered the van load
Elect Holger Knaack to reply - he amazingly agreed. See what I mean
last year of brand new toys to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in
by it opening opportunities. There’s no way he would have come to my
Liverpool there must have been £12,000 worth! Not only did this
DA under normal circumstances. He appeared on Sunday 10th. On the
happen once, they rang me again this year and offered the same. This
9th Past RI Director Jennifer Jones was her usual engaging self. Again,
is what Rotary Connecting the World can do.
would she have come to little old 1180? In a word, no. David Ellis,
Rotary GB&I Chairman Elect for 2021/22 also agreed to speak on Do you think the changes in Rotary are for the better?
Wrap-up Lancashire. An extremely successful community project which The changes in Rotary as with anything in this world we live in will
I hope will be as successful here. Unfortunately with COVID it has had happen whether we like it or not. Even Paul Harris recognised this
to be cancelled this year but I am sure DGE Nick will progress with this when he said in 1935:
in his year. “This is a changing world; We must be prepared to change with it. The
As there’s been so much interest in volunteering with the virus I story of Rotary will have to be written again and again.”
decided to concentrate DA on the Community. Within my packs I Change however must not be for the sake of change, it must be for the
posted out to President Elects I set three challenges; continued on next page
Rotary NoW Summer 2020 3
continued from previous page
better. Volunteers today do not have to pay for the privilege of returned from San Diego. Whilst there I met a few Rotaractors one of
volunteering, we must make Rotary affordable and attractive. Younger who has joined our group. Heidi is a Rotaractor from Brighton.
people want to get their hands dirty, they want action. We must offer Between the group we are hoping to bridge the inter-generational gap
that if we are to attract new younger members. This is not to drive out between the two organisations. On top of this we are creating a brand
existing members, far from it, there is room for everyone. If Clubs want new Rotaract e-Club of GB&I. If anyone has any relatives that fits the
to dine, why not but make room for those who want to be People of age criteria for Rotaract, no matter where in the UK or Ireland please
Action. We must offer Rotary dues by introducing Standing Orders or get in touch. These will be the Rotarians of the future. Not only has
Direct Debits per month. That makes it affordable to many of the Rotary Refresh given birth to the Rotaract e-Club, PDG Steve Martin
general public who are on monthly budgets. Meals however should be has used it as a platform with an idea he's had for the last eighteen
at least optional. Please consider this in your plans for the coming months. The N Wales & NW England Passport Club has been born.
year.
How would you like to look back on your year as District I think I have probably covered advice to any new Rotarian. Get
Governor? involved, don’t be afraid to speak up. If the old adage comes up,
I would like to look back on my year as District Governor as making “We’ve tried that before and it didn’t work”, well, try it again with a
Rotary Relevant in the 21st century. To be progressive we must be different approach. There are some fantastic community projects in
relevant in today’s society. I would also like to think we all can work 1180, I sincerely hope we can create even more.
together as a District Team and I mean every member, we’re all part of Stay safe,
the District 1180 Team. I have also set up Rotary Refresh since I David
ROTARY IN LLANDUDNO
ROTARY EXTENDS ITS HELP
TO UGANDA
James Thomas (l) with some of the lively residents of the Kamuzinda childrens village, Uganda.
Just before the COVID virus broke in the UK, a team of 7 Most of the work was with Primary School children but James
Rotarians plus their friends spent a February fortnight in a also found himself teaching Maths and IT to the Secondary
remote Ugandan village helping the residents with educational School.
equipment, training and infrastructure.
James conveyed to members that the abiding – and humbling –
On Tuesday 9th June James Thomas, of Llanfairfechan and impression gained was that however modest and rudimentary
Penmaenmawr Rotary spoke (via Zoom) to 14 members of the help was that was being offered, it was diligently and
Llandudno Rotary about his experiences as a member of this enthusiastically seized on by the young people involved.
team.
The education was mutual. All members of the team came away
The main project was to build a new mission house for 10-19 from Africa determined to return one day, (for several it was their
year old boys to move into. Work also included fixing boreholes, third or fourth visit) and enthralled to the African state of mind
purchasing a cow, adding guttering and repairing the floors to that is able to find contentment and even happiness in adversity
the school and supplying feminine products to students. that most of us in the developed world would find cause for
despair.
4 Rotary NoW Summer 2020
ROTARY IN CONWY VALLEY
CONWY VALLEY TEMPORARY
ASSISTANCE FUND (CVTAF)
The Rotary in the Conwy Valley launched its Temporary Assistance
Fund on the 23rd March, the very day that National Lockdown was
declared, providing food and utility support to distressed families in
the Conwy Valley in North Wales. We partnered with Golygfa Gwydyr,
a local community welfare organisation. Our Rotary Club provided
initial funding and we have a team of four dedicated to the
programme, three Rotarians and one from Golygfa Gwydyr. We have
achieved considerable progress over the last few months in
providing assistance to families within the rural Conwy Valley in
these difficult times. Our fundraising efforts have now exceeded our
original target of £22,000.
All referrals to us for assistance have been received from
professionals in various community organisations such as Conwy
County Council, the Family Centre in Llanrwst, Housing Associations
and the local churches. Strict confidence is maintained over the
identities of the referrals. Although we commenced the programme The CVTAF team, Rosie Evans, Ian Williams, Richard How and
by issuing vouchers for food and utility meters, we switched to food Roger Thomas.
parcels in addition to utility vouchers once we were fortunate to
obtain the use of a public house in the centre of Llanrwst, parcels to a maximum of three per annum to claimants, we have not
temporarily closed, for the next few months. After suitable imposed such a limit on claimants. A few claimants have now
installation of racking and tables plus devising safe distancing received up to six support packages from us. This week, we extended
protocols, we commenced food parcel deliveries w/c 18th May. our support to include the local Women’s Refuge as they have had to
accommodate a steep increase in abused women with their children
We had been fortunate to receive donations of over £1,000 of food applying for protection.
from three local retailers and had used this to supplement the food
vouchers. Weekly orders of food commenced w/c 11th May with first The plight of the tourism and hospitality industries in the Conwy
delivery on Tuesday 19th May. Three configurations of food parcel are Valley is driving many of the problems encountered by families
being issued depending on family size following guidance from the requiring support. Currently we are supporting on average nearly
Conwy Foodbank, an established foodbank based on similar thirty families each week but we expect this to grow considerably
operating principles to the nationally respected Trussel Trust. We over the coming months. We had planned to terminate our scheme
launched a major social media campaign in late April and also had a at the end of July expecting a rapid comeback in the local economy
number of newspaper articles published. but this is now looking highly unlikely and we are starting to plan
how we extend the programme for another few months as
Although existing food banks typically limit the number of food necessary.
ROTARY IN BIRKENHEAD
DESERT ISLAND
Birkenhead Rotary welcomed a very special guest before lockdown, Dame Lorna
Muirhead, an Honorary Member of the Club, for its most recent presentation; “What
would she like to have with her if marooned on a desert island”. The event was
expertly organised by Simon Tomlinson and David Martin.
Guests, including Dame Lorna’s husband Ronald, heard some beautiful music and the
moving recording of Churchill’s speech “We shall fight them on the beaches”, as she
was born in the war years. Recounting a very happy childhood in Shropshire,
enjoying male voice choirs and opera courtesy of her parents, Dame Lorna went on to announce her special choices.
With thoughts of becoming a doctor, Dame Lorna subsequently joined the nursing profession and met her husband to be Ronald. They moved
to Liverpool, where Dame Lorna spent many years in Liverpool Maternity Hospital and Liverpool Women’s Hospital. She served as President of
the Royal College of Midwives for 8 years and between 2006 and 2017 and served as Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside.
Spanning those years Dame Lorna picked just 8 of the songs or music she loved, although these regularly change. Living in Liverpool she
wished to list a Beatles song...”In My Life” with other pieces including the Trumpet Voluntary, March of the Huguenots and Myfanwy.
Rotary NoW Summer 2020 5
ROTARY IN LLANDUDNO
ROTARY ON TWITTER -
WHY BOTHER?
By Rtn. Chris W Drew PHF, who tweets for District 1180 and for Rotary in Llandudno
Almost all Clubs have a website, and most are on
Facebook – and yet most Clubs shun Twitter.
Why is that?
We all know of Facebook as being a social media tool to
use with family and friends. This familiarity does not
extend to Twitter.
Does it matter?
Well, yes!
Twitter has 320 million active users, including 13.4M in
the UK - a huge market that’s completely free to reach
out to, contact and engage with. Twitter is now ‘ de
rigueur’ for even the smallest business, charity or other
organisation. A by-product of this is that a Rotary Club
that is not on Twitter will seem a little quaint or sleepy to
many potential members or helpers.
Examples of benefits include
• an easily identifiable and contactable list of
people/businesses interested in your Club
• another outlet for publicity for your Club’s activities
• a list of people/business potentially responsive to
appeals for any of
- practical help - expertise
- fundraising helpers - donations
- speakers - Friends of Rotary/Interact/Rotaract An example of how Twitter can be used to promote other activities,
- Membership promotions or events by any or all of a summary text, a pictorial
example and a weblink to further information.
• engagement with the wider public by way of them responding to
tweets of a Club member would jump at the chance.
• information from, and dissemination of, news from wider Rotary
What’s next?
• outlet for publicising a weblink to any item on your website
DON’T open a Twitter account until you have agreed on
What’s involved?
- the name (Rotary Club X or X Rotary?) – be consistent with your
There’s no cost and little formality to having a Club presence on Twitter.
website/Facebook name
You can just follow the District, Rotary GBI and RI on Twitter. Between - the abbreviation (Twitter handle) – again, consistency matters
them they produce enough output to enable you to run an active
- who should share the password
account simply by selectively re-tweeting these messages to give the
(this saves the Club getting locked out of its own account if access is
general Rotary cause an extra audience that also generates awareness
can be by 3 or 4 members)
of your own Club.
- what the password should be and who should periodically amend
Beyond that, the sky is the limit, in terms of any of and share it
frequency of output - the correct Rotary logo
sophistication of photo-work, montages, videos – anything you like DON’T follow anyone until you’ve built up a month or so of tweet
proactively growing the numbers of followers and reach of your output.
message The rationale here is that anyone you follow may well check out
engaging with your followers whether you are worth following. If they don’t see much there yet, they
What’s first? won’t bother and almost certainly aren’t going to check back later.
Pin the tail on the donkey. Whose job is it to run the Club’s Twitter
account? It doesn’t have to be a Rotarian – maybe a friend or relative continued on next page
6 Rotary NoW Summer 2020
continued from previous page
DO check out how other Clubs
run their Twitter account. You can
do this by googling “(name of
Club) Rotary Twitter” . The top
result should be that Club’s
Twitter account – if they have
one. You can view any Twitter
account online in this way but
cannot comment or contribute.
DO ask for help. District 1180 is a
resource. Contact the author at
chris.w.drew@gmail.com
for further tips and advice on
how to get your Club Twitter up
and running – and sustained.
Sometimes worth
lightening things up, once
in a while, as well!
ROTARY IN ORMSKIRK CLOCKTOWER
DISTRICT SHELTERBOX
CO-ORDINATOR
Introducing Rotarian Mark Brown telecommunication facilities have all been badly affected. Countries
from Ormskirk Clocktower RC, are evacuating millions of people from coastal areas, where there is
and Shelterbox District already a lack of clean water, health care and resilient housing. As if
Coordinator, taking the role over that wasn’t stressful enough!
from Gerry Heaslip.
Tackling both coronavirus and this disaster at once will be
Shelterbox is a disaster relief challenging for the two countries, especially as they attempt to
charity, formally supported by maintain social distancing in potentially crowded evacuation centres
Rotary. and emergency shelters.
Of course new disasters can Whole communities will need urgent emergency shelter and other
strike at anytime, anywhere, but essential items, like water filters and mosquito nets, to help them
it’s the third world disasters that survive and to keep them safe from coronavirus and other diseases.
often hit the news and clearly
Having worked across many parts of Bangladesh and India in
show where support is much needed. Cash yes, but in disasters or
Shelterbox’s 20-year history, they have strong connections with other
conflict where people become homeless Shelterbox can be a real
humanitarian organisations and local Rotary clubs.
support. Shelterbox support currently, ongoing work in many
countries including Syria, Nigeria, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, As the situation becomes clearer and access to the region for
Philippines and more. Shelterbox is possible then more detailed updates will become
available. Please take time to visit the Shelterbox website:
One very recent event has resulted in a current appeal from
www.shelterbox.org
Shelterbox. On May 20th and through into the 21st May, a Super
Cyclone, Cyclone Amphan hit Bangladesh and the India eastern For anyone wishing to get in touch with me directly then please feel
border near Kolkata with winds of up to 115 mph. We know that free to contact me: markbrown@shelterbox.org
numerous deaths have been reported with now more than 3 million
people in community shelters.
More than 400,000 homes were damaged in Bangladesh and 1.7
million in India. Standing crops, fisheries, power and
Rotary NoW Summer 2020 7
ROTARY IN LIVERPOOL ST VINCENTS
SIGHTBOX AMBASSADOR
ANGELA WILLIAMS
FULFILLING A DREAM
Me
presenting
Sightbox on
Mersey Ship.
Me with
the High
Commissioner.
Young boy receiving the first pair of
glasses from the first ET Box.
I had a vision. A Vision where we could share good practice and create All leads to innovation and employment and coming up with new
opportunities for the visually impaired worldwide. ideas for the box which have not yet been generated.
This vision was shared with the Headmaster Dr John Patterson from St We are now beginning to see not only National exam results in Maths
Vincent’s school for visually impaired in Liverpool. Together we are improve but also covering United Nations Sustainable Development
working to make sure dreams and journeys of peace come true for Goals 17,3,4,5,8 & 10. All coming from working with something so
thousands of visually impaired children. simple.
As Ambassador of Sightbox Trust my dream was to go back to The Various presentations have taken place during our 5 months which
Gambia and spend time with visually impaired children and young included white canes, gym kits, projectors, laptops, hand balls with
adults developing their communication skills, confidence and bells, card games in braille. The first eye test box is being put to use to
independence. help provide correct glasses for people with Albinism and low vision. I
So having given up a full time job, much planning and a programme spoke at seminars to make sure people with disabilities whatever they
put together, packed 155kg of equipment which included our clothing, are, are not segregated but included. No one has a disability – it is an
held a bon voyage party to say farewell to family and friends, Nigel, ability with a challenge. The hand balls went into rural Gambia where
my husband and I took off on November 9th 2019 from Manchester four hubs for blind and visually impaired are being set up by Alieu
Airport to Banjul, The Gambia for 5 months. Jaiteh from Start Now a Gambian winner of Holman Prize Award. The
On arrival at Banjul airport we were unexpectedly met at the bottom first of these hubs opened on Sat 15th Feb 2020 in Upper Rural Region
of the steps of the plane by VIP security. Bags collected and passports in the town of Basse. I drove the 350km to Basse as I had been invited
stamped we were driven to where we would be staying for the 5 to be present at the opening ceremony and give a statement before
months. Our accommodation was a 2 bed bungalow semi furnished in taking the first training session with the hand balls.
a secure compound with a 4 x 4 vehicle. Downtime was also important in the planning so that we could
It did not take long to settle in amongst our friends and acclimatise to explore the countryside and admire the birds, flowers, animals and
11 hours of hot sunshine every day and challenges of daily water and sample the good food and wine.
power failure! My dream was certainly fulfilled and much, much, more but I am now
Many meetings were planned in our programme – this included going to share with you a challenge I had to overcome and one
meeting various Government Ministers, British High Commissioner, the experience that really stood out.
5 Rotary Clubs in The Gambia and visiting the compounds of local The first meeting at GOVI school I noticed that there was only one
people and their families, attending Gala dinners, being interviewed on sighted teacher at the school and out of the 35 students only three or
TV and organising a hospitality night. four had some vision. This was something I had to overcome and
Sightbox was introduced to Start Now and GOVI (Government overcome fast. Luckily a meeting with Matida aged 17yrs, a past Head
Organisation for Visually Impaired) in The Gambia back in Jan 2018 Girl from GOVI who I had met back in Jan 2018 had invited us to go
from a visit to St Vincent’s school for Visually impaired in Liverpool by and visit her and her family in their compound. Matida has very, very,
Past Assistant Governor Rotarian Minyan Jobe. He could see the low vision and was so happy to see us again. She has now been
educational tools through sport in the box would make a huge placed in a school for sighted children and is doing very well. I
difference and empower the lives of the visually impaired in The mentioned to her over a small cup of hot condensed milk with mint
Gambia - for example Mobility, Confidence, independence, team and lemon grass sat under the Mango tree my concerns. Matida
building, friendship, education, and inclusion. Through inclusion and looked at me, took my hand and said “ Angela, you have the passion,
not segregation comes reverse inclusion as sighted and non sighted you have a strong heart, go and teach the teachers and children, I
students work together and in time become the trainers of the trainers.
continued on next page
8 Rotary NoW Summer 2020
continued from previous page March. I do so look forward to coming back sometime soon.
know you can do it and they will love you for it as you will be helping Thank you to everyone who made us very welcome and supported us
to change their lives“. To hear those words from a 17yr old who I had during our 5 month stay. Rotary is certainly one big family as we take
only met and taught briefly on my previous visits was very touching. I care of each other.
made a promise to her I would overcome this challenge and succeed – BUT
and this I certainly did. This dream has a different ending –
The experience I’ve chosen to share is of one that took us to Dakar in Coronavirus – COVID-19 and our flight home was cancelled.
Senegal. I had done some research prior to Nov 9th and discovered Many tourists were able to get home with their airline, but our airline
Mercy Ships was docked in Dakar until June 2020. I sent an email has left us here with no confirmed date of departure.
explaining who I was and what I was doing and was it possible to As there are few of us left here and to keep COVID-19 at bay, the
board the ship. After some time I received an email to say that we summer season closed a month early which meant hotels, bars, and
could go on board the ship and have a 2 hour tour to see the work restaurants are all closed. This included closing schools and universities
that was being done to improve peoples lives. As you can imagine this for 3 weeks.
would be an experience never to forget. Meeting the crew, surgeons,
The airport is only open for emergency supplies of medicines and food.
patients and their families was truly amazing. What made the
experience of being on Mercy Ships even more special was I was With the help and assistance of Rotarians we have secured
allowed as Ambassador of Sightbox Trust to present the ship with a accommodation until we can get home along with extra medication.
Sightbox to help all patients and families on board with sight issues. We now wait patiently until we hear the sound of the plane that has
This box will now remain on board and will travel wherever the ship been agreed to fly in to take us home or when the airport has been
goes. The new Mercy Ships being built with the help of Rotary and opened for normal travel which could be a few months down the line.
Inner Wheel will also have Sightbox on board. What an honour for We are safe, and well and hopefully someday we will be able to say
Sightbox Trust and also to be allowed to go on board at anytime I wish farewell to everyone we have met here as this part of my dream was
in the future. taken away from me.
This has certainly been one very special dream and one I will never We managed to get a repatriation flight home on 9th April.
forget. If you would like a presentation to your club to see for yourself the
Having driven some 4231km I now have to return to the UK on 24th impact of this journey and the journey of peace please make contact
with me via williams1621@hotmail.co.uk
DISTRICT 1180
MIKE PEPPER PHF -
EULOGY – 5th JUNE 2020
I first got to know Mike when he was International Chairman of our now known as club visioning, a tool
Rotary District. He invited me to part of his committee, and I was also to help clubs evaluate and plan for a
privileged to be part of his team when he was District Trainer. When he successful future.
was an Assistant Governor I got to work with Mike again so I was very I personally owe a lot to Mike and
lucky to have this lovely man as a mentor and friend. Mike never Margaret. I learned such a lot from
considered himself chairman or in charge. He was very much a team Mike over the years and he and
player and considered us all equal and he encouraged and supported Margaret became very strong
input and new ideas from everyone. supporters and mentors as I
As International chair he achieved so much including his work with the approached and took the role of
Wheelchair Foundation, and visited Malawi with Milton and Elaine District Governor.
Frary to distribute wheelchairs to those desperately in need. This was He was a true gentleman, a great
something I know he was very proud of. He was always talking about it. mentor and friend, and the world
Mike was also heavily involved in the organisation and fundraising for will be a sadder place without him.
the Tsunami housing project in SriLanka with fellow Rotarian PDG Colin But there are so many people who are much better off in this world
James following the mass destruction in 2004. In 2011 Mike and because of Mike Pepper PHF. Some won’t even know his name, but his
Margaret visited the completed project and went to house no 33 which dedication to service and his commitment to those in need will live on
was funded by Welshpool Rotary Club. An entire family was given a in those he helped. A wonderful legacy for a great man, a lovely friend
new start in life. We can only imagine what that meant to them. and a true Rotarian.
As if that wasn’t enough, Mike was also a huge supporter of Shelterbox On behalf of Rotary District 1180 and Rotary International I say a huge
and the Polio campaign and worked tirelessly to support all these thankyou to you Mike for your commitment and dedication to the work
programmes. of Rotary International.
He was also very much a forward thinker and introduced a forward May you rest in Peace as you pass to higher service. You will never be
planning strategy in his own club before becoming involved in what is forgotten.
Molly Youd, Past District Governor
Rotary NoW Summer 2020 9
ROTARY IN CREWE & NANTWICH WEAVER
WE LOVE OUR NHS
Coronavirus crept up on all of us and, as I have a chest NHS staff could not work without some humour in their lives
condition, I suddenly found myself scared, vulnerable and in and throughout the booklet, you will find some funny quotes
complete isolation even before lockdown. As a nurse, I would from patients. The experiences of a retired surgeon at the end
have loved to be able to go and do my bit, but my age and of the book will I am sure raise a chuckle or two.
health stopped that happening. So what could I do to usefully
I have enjoyed compiling the book and would like to thank
fill my time? The idea of compiling a booklet containing
Martin Willescroft for designing the front page and the
experiences within the NHS as workers or patients, and at the
support given to me by my husband Brian and friend Vicki,
same time raising a few pennies towards local charities
without whom the project would not have been completed.
affected by Covid19, appealed to me.
Pat Harborth
The booklet is filled with the experiences of Rotarians and
friends and I am most grateful for their input. The first few If you would like a copy of the booklet, please contact the
pages are written from memories or tales before the NHS Rotary Treasurer who will relieve you of a donation and send
existed. This is followed by memories of people working in you a digital copy.
the NHS and then people who have been patients.
E-mail: neiltimperley@hotmail.com
10 Rotary NoW Summer 2020ROTARY IN RHYL
COULD THIS BE A
WORLD FIRST?
On Tuesday evening, 12th May 2020, the Rotary in Rhyl celebrated
the 94th Anniversary of receiving its Charter in a hitherto unique
way.
Unable to hold their traditional Charter Anniversary Dinner due to
Coronovirus lockdown, the club, turning to modern technology, held
a virtual celebration using Zoom.
Organized by Club Secretary, Gordon Marshall, the club hosted 43
Rotarians from Wales, England and the USA.
Rhyl’s youngest ever President, 31 year-old Gareth Davies, started
the proceedings by giving a resumé of the social, vocational and
community service activities of the club during the past year. Despite
the unusual circumstances, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the
club still met weekly online. He also thanked Rotary for giving him local, national and international community, RIBI President, Donna
the opportunity to express himself at a relatively young age and Wallbank, said that, whilst she had recently made virtual visits to
prepare him for his role in life. several Rotary Clubs throughout the country, this was, to her
knowledge, the first online Charter celebration in Britain and possibly
The online participants included the National President of Rotary in
in the world. She forecast that the use of online conferencing would
Britain and Ireland, Donna Wallbank from Brynmawr; District
become an increasingly important tool in supporting the activities
Governor, Bob Maskall from Bangor, Rotarians from several nearby
and development of Rotary Clubs in the future.
clubs including Ruthin, Prestatyn, Llandudno, St. Asaph, Denbigh,
Rhos on Sea and Llanfairfechan & Penmaenmawr. Representatives of The Rotarians then shared details of the recent community service
clubs further afield included Southport and Dolgellau, and activities undertaken by their clubs. It was apparent that, universally,
emphasising the international nature of Rotary, the President and there had been significant responses to a variety of needs generated
three other members of the Rotary Club of Alamo, California, shared by the Coronavirus pandemic.
in the celebration.
Concluding the meeting, the President proposed the traditional toast
Congratulating the Club on its 94 years of service, since 1926, to the to “Rotary and Peace the World Over”.
ROTARY IN BIRKENHEAD
YOUTHS SPEAKING
Intermediates. Seniors.
In March members were about to welcome our two winning Youth Speaks teams, both from Birkenhead School. Sadly this was postponed but
once meeting again we look forward to hearing their debates entitled, entitled “Should the Monarchy die with the Queen?” and
“Is Lying ever justified?”
Rotary NoW Summer 2020 11ROTARY IN PWLLHELI
TAKE A HIKE, POLIO!
For obvious reasons we weren’t able to organise our sponsored originally aimed to complete 1240 miles, the distance of the border
Midsummer Hike, planned for June 20th, to raise money for Rotary’s that runs between Pakistan and Afghanistan, we hope that we will
‘End Polio Now’ Campaign. have quadrupled that challenge by the end. The 16 week challenge
ran from March 1st to June 20th 2020.
So we came up with another way of raising funds through the 1240
Challenge, as well as providing local people with a good way to To add to the challenge we also suggested people took photos along
exercise during lockdown. their hikes, following a different theme each week. We were sent
some fabulously creative shots of such things as‘purple’, ‘circles’
Through our Face book page, every Sunday we asked people to let us
‘friendship’ and ‘The Coast’ which we all post on our Facebook Page.
know how many miles they had walked during their daily exercise
each week. Those that wanted to raise funds for the End Polio Now The hikers themselves also benefited greatly from the challenge. As
Campaign decided to donate 10p a mile. one non-Rotarian, told us, “I have been incentivised to walk 4 mile a
day by joining the challenge during lock-down period.”
One eager and particularly fit individual eschewed walking and
actually ran instead, knocking the challenge out the park and to date Not only did we rise and conqueror the 1240 Challenge, we also rose
has completed more than 600 miles on his own, well not always to the challenge of still raising funds whilst in lockdown! To date
alone as sometimes Minty the Lamb joined him. £329 has been raised, it is anticipated the final total will be near to
£500.
Collectively as a team of 27 walkers, more than 3500 miles have
already been walked and we still have three more weeks to go. We
Alice
and Loli.
Gordon and
Minty the Lamb.
Theme for challenge -
Circles.
12 Rotary NoW Summer 2020ROTARY IN OSWESTRY CAMBRIAN
MORE “LIFE SAVERS” ON THE
STREETS IN OSWESTRY
the team from the NFU (National Union of Farmers) office in Salop
Road in Oswestry, were put through their paces in the practical
sessions where they had chance to learn about and practice cardiac
compression and use of the defibrillator.
Defibrillator “Public Access Defibrillator” sites are popping up all the
time in Oswestry and the surrounding villages in wall mounted boxes
and even “retired” telephone kiosks in some of the villages.
President Ron Pugh said, “Since the project started a few years ago
we have trained approaching 600 residents in the basic life saving
skills. The ability to do good CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation)
and apply a defibrillator when required is so important in this day
and age. We just never know when we may be called upon to save a
loved one or total stranger”.
Cambrian Rotary co-ordinator and retired volunteer Community
Responder with the Ambulance Service Mike Lade added, “It is so
important that people have the ability to use CPR and have the
The NFU Office team. confidence to use a Defibrillator”.
More Oswestry people became trained “life savers” thanks to the Defibrillators can not cause any harm. They tell you exactly what to
Oswestry Cambrian Rotary clubs community project to get as many do, they will not let you do anything the machine doesn’t want you
residents as possible trained in the use of a defibrillator and in CPR. to do and it may just save a life!
Working with volunteer Community Responder Effie Cadwallader,
ROTARY IN CHESTER
BARGEE BOOKS
Rtn Bill Bradley has written several books for both adults and an amount has gone to our local charity BIRD in Eccleston - for
children, and he is making a charitable donation of £5 for every book Dads, Grandads, and teenagers
purchased until 30 Jun. · For the younger ones, my stories are based on real events but I
Bill writes about his books: claim artistic licence to make it more interesting for the children.
My characters are Ebb and Flow and they live in Oakwood Cottage
· The Life And Times Of A Lad Called Bandy is my life story about on the side of a canal.
growing up in Little Sutton between the years 1941 and 1956. This
· Scotties Ordeal is about a pony that fell into the canal.
book has raised £1000 for the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, and
· The Tree of Knowledge is about a Peacock that loses its way.
· You will also find books from Chris Wallis Brown, who worked for
British Waterways and now illustrates my books. He tells stories
about the Navvydids who are little people who live in a Treacle
Mine
You can reach Bill via his Facebook page (Bargee Bill’s Books) and
the books are also listed at https://www.kimbeck.co.uk
To purchase, select “Shop Now” from the Facebook page (at top
right, below the canal image). This will take you to the above
website – select “my Books” and choose your selection from there.
Pay for your book via the basket (£10, inc p&p) and put “BB” after
your name. Bill confirms that he will donate £5 00 per book
purchased from now until midnight 30 June 2020 to our Rotary Club
Charity Account. (Queries to Bill at).
Rotary NoW Summer 2020 13ROTARY IN OSWESTRY CAMBRIAN
SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH
Oswestry Cambrian Rotary has presented the towns mental health charity “U&I
Counselling” in English Walls, Oswestry with its biggest donation its ever made.
Wendy Hickson and her team of professional counselling volunteers provide
therapeutic counselling for all ages but a lot of their work is supporting children
and young people.
The work with children, one-on-one, is through a range of issues such as anxiety,
low mood, grief, self-harm and a range of mental health, school or family
problems.
Wendy from U&I Counselling said, “We are crazy busy delivering counselling to our
clients from our homes using mobile phones. It’s far from ideal but it’s the best we
can do under the circumstances because its vitally important that the Counselling
continues.”
Oswestry Cambrian Rotary President, Ron Pugh, said “Our club voted unanimously
to donate the sum of £1500 to U&I because they are really struggling to fund their
great work in these difficult times and to keep the service running. It is an
indication as to the esteem in which we hold this mental health service in our
town.”
If you would like to know more about U&I Counselling or would like to donate
then contact Wendy Hickson on info@uandicounselling.org.uk.
DISTRICT 1180
DISTRICT INTER-CLUB QUIZ
Rotarians like a challenge -even if we Thirdly, to make the quiz even more arrangements, since getting together is a
need only to challenge ourselves. In participative, for the audience as well as guiding principle as far as is possible.
District 1180 we have a challenge the teams.
So, as we begin Rotary Year 2020-21,
between clubs -the District Inter-Club I am looking for feedback and prepare your team – YOURS, and every
Quiz. For some years now, this annual ‘fun suggestions. What do you like about the Club!
challenge’ has been organised, developed quiz, and do you have any suggestions?
and administered by Rtn Keith Simpson. Please email your thoughts to me at PS – COVID-19
After so much admirable and challenging markjprotary22@btinternet.com
Of course, we are all affected by the
work, Keith has decided to “put away his Every Club in District can participate: all pandemic, and at the time of writing there
quiz books”. Our thanks from District go you need is remains much uncertainty. The 2019-20
to him, and to wish him well in his Quiz had to be abandoned as a result of
‘retirement’. a) a team of four,
the virus.
b) a Question master/mistress,
Having volunteered to succeed Rtn Keith, I
c) a scorer, and However, problems create opportunities
take this opportunity to look ahead with a
d) a timekeeper. and perhaps we have learned ways to
simple aim: to continue to make the quiz
Remember that all questions are ‘team- communicate without being in the same
enjoyable, and participative.
based’; at no time is any individual room. Is it possible that there will be ways
Firstly, to build on the hard work of Keith allocated a question. No embarrassment, for Clubs to participate, even remotely?
Simpson; just good humour! Mark J. Philpot
Secondly, to maintain and develop the Early rounds will continue to be zoned, in Rotary in Mold
sense of inter-club fellowship; order to reduce travel, and simplify District Quiz Organiser 2020
14 Rotary NoW Summer 2020ROTARY IN WELSHPOOL
COFFEE WITH A DIFFERENCE
Welshpool Rotary Club continues to hold regular Wednesday devastation of a plague of locusts.
meetings using ZOOM, during the present pandemic, and a weekly
Under exceptionally difficult circumstances, local contacts have been
Saturday coffee morning.
able to communicate the following update on the Sanitation Block:
At a recent business meeting the club agreed to donate to local “Wash rooms/Bio-toilets: The project is more than 98% finished.
charities who would be experiencing a reduction in regular income What is remaining is installation of Bio-gas. The engineer was to get
streams during the present pandemic. these materials from Kampala where he had sent them along with
those of others he has been building. Once they come, they can be
Consequently £500 was donated to President Gwyndaf James
installed in one day. "Bio-toilet supported by SEDCU 2019/2020" will
chosen charity, Hope House, £500 to Severn Hospice, as the club has
be placed as a plaque on the building. This will be the first one of its
supported the hospice for a number of years, and £300 to Welshpool
kind in this community!”
Community Angels for their work in with the meals on wheels
service in the Welshpool area. The club has also donated regular Rotary Charter night this year will be conducted as a charity auction,
amounts to the food bank. on line.
Shelterbox UK was awarded a further £290, and one of the clubs Anyone interested in participating in the Zoom Meetings should
International Charities (Sedcu at Mgahinga in Uganda), has, been contact Chris Townsend on cst220347@gmail.com who will be able
granted £500. to assist with logging in.
N.B. Uganda is not only coping with Coronavirus, but also the
Rotary NoW Summer 2020 15ROTARY IN ORMSKIRK
RIP RTN PAST PRESIDENT
PAUL SILCOCK PHF
It is with great sadness to the members projects throughout the year; he was Paul sought to make a difference to
of the Rotary in Ormskirk that one of heavily involved in all aspects of peoples lives.
their members, Past President Paul H fundraising, especially at Christmas, but He had a natural gift of putting people
Silcock PHF, passed away from a heart also, on a lighter note, through the at ease. He was patient, caring and kind
attack, aged 73, on Thursday 23 April. “Lean Green Mean Human Fruit
and compassionate and could relate to
Rotarian Paul was an active member of Machine”, which was taken round
all ages. This was most evident when he
Ormskirk Rotary of which he was various fetes and carnivals in the
locality; and he organised an annual was involved with the Disabled Fun
President in 2012/13 and President
charity walk, raising money, specifically Games; a cause to which he was very
Elect for 2020/21. In fact, he had been
for Alder Hey, a charity that was very dedicated.
acting President for large parts of
2019/20 because our President is not close to his heart. He was also, through his Church, an
always available due to his household Paul was full of ideas and was always active supporter of the Pilgrimage Trust
move to Wales. looking for opportunities to do more for which takes disabled youngsters to
Paul was a very keen and phenomenally the community and grow Rotary’s Lourdes each year.
active member of the Rotary profile. He was a keen golfer and a member of
organisation, not only within the Rotary He was proud to be a PHF in Ormskirk Golf Club. He was also a keen
in Ormskirk but also in the wider Rotary recognition of his work with local photographer, with a lot of the photos
District, covering a large part of the schools and community groups. on the Rotary in Ormskirk website
North West of England and North Wales Paul lived his life to the full. Full of zest having been taken by him. With this in
and, as such, was held in very high and energy. His many interests included
mind, the Rotary organisation is
esteem by a great number of Rotarians, cycling, walking, singing, golf,
holding a photographic competition in
associated people and organisations. photography and travel and also lately
gardening. his memory.
Paul was a strong team player and
he played the lead role in the Rotary Paul made many friends who over the Paul died whilst doing work for Rotary
Junior Community Award scheme, years shared his passion for walking at and will be massively missed by so
providing an opportunity for the home and abroad. many people.
development of year 6 children in local He loved his singing with the choir The photograph shows two aspects of
primary schools through various Cantique. Paul’s Rotary life.
16 Rotary NoW Summer 2020Call of Nature!
DUST DOWN YOUR CAMERAS
Ormskirk Rotary promotes
District-wide calendar
competition in memory of their
much-loved Rotarian,
Paul Silcock PHF
Nature in the Wild
Ormskirk Rotary, in sponsoring this competition, have
TT
Ormskirk Rotary, in sponsoring this competition, have chosen to hehetheme
themeofofthe theDistrict
District11801180Calendar
Calendar20212021
chosen to honour each of the 12 photographers PhotographicCompetition
CompetitionisisNature Natureininthethe
honour each of the 12 photographers whose photos are selected Photographic
whose photos are selected to grace the calendar, Wild, intended to reflect Rotarian Paul Silcock’s
bytopresenting
grace the an
calendar, by presenting
individual an individual
trophy similar to that trophy similar Wild, intended to reflect Rotarian Paul Silcock’s
photographic interests and to provide a calendar
to that pictured.
pictured. photographic
worthy of both interests
Rotarians’ andandto provide a calendar
non-Rotarians’
worthy of both Rotarians’ and non-Rotarians’
walls! It will be published in time for Christmas walls!
It will bear the Rotary name and logo and Ormskirk Rotary
It will bear the Rotary name and logo and Ormskirk It2020
will be
and so will make a good stocking filler asand
published in time for Christmas 2020
members believe its design commemorates a member who
Rotary members believe its design commemorates sowell asmake
will a goodthe
promoting stocking
work of filler as well
Rotary. Theastheme is
a carried
membera who
camera and alens
carried for every
camera occasion.
and lens for every promoting
deliberatelythe work
open soofthatRotary.
we canTheshowcase
theme is nature
occasion. and the environment
deliberately open so that in all
weitscan
glory; and so nature
showcase that the
COVID-19
and lockdown in
the environment does notglory;
all its impede andyour creativity
so that the
– if you went
COVID-19 on safari
lockdown doesbefore all this kicked
not impede off
your creativity
that is fine, we want to see your best images ever!
– if you went on safari before all this kicked off that
Landscape photography is included in the category
istheme.
fine, we want to panel
A judging see your hasbest
beenimages ever!to
assembled
Landscape photography is included
include people associated with Paul, Ormskirk in the category
Rotary
theme. A judging panel has been
members and some experienced natural history assembled to
include people judges.
photographic associated The with
judges Paul,
willOrmskirk
be looking
for images
Rotary that uplift
members and somethe spirits and arenatural
experienced capable
of holding
history their charm
photographic for a The
judges. month at a will
judges time. beThe
competition
looking is openthat
for images to all ages,
uplift theRotarians
spirits andandare
non-Rotarians alike. Let’s make sure we can print
capable of holding their charm for a month at a
something that Paul himself would have been proud
time. The competition is open to all ages, Rotarians
of and can continue to raise money for the charities
and
he was so involvedalike.
non-Rotarians with.Let’s make sure we can
print something that Paul himself would have been
proud of and
Visit the URL can continue
set out belowtowhereraise you
moneywillfor
findthe
charities he was
both details, fullso involved
rules, with.and an image
guidance,
upload facility, hosted by Professional Imagemaker
Visit the URL set out below where you will find both
magazine.
details, full rules, guidance, and an image upload
facility, hosted by Professional Imagemaker
magazine.
Image Rtn Charles Farnell
For full details, digital entry form and upload go to
www.thesoc.net/rotary
Rotary NoW Summer 2020 17ROTARY IN LIVERPOOL EXCHANGE
PROJECT DIGNITY
Over the last five years two Liverpool Clubs, Liverpool South for three
years followed by Liverpool Exchange have supported Project
Dignity. This is in collaboration with the Rotary E Club of South Africa
One. £500 provides 73 Subz packs i.e. 2 school classes.
What is Project Dignity – 7 million girls in South Africa miss 1 week
every month of school every year due to menstrual periods. Many
have no parents due to Aids so have no knowledge of sanitary pads
so use anything available, paper or even animal dung.
The goal of Project Dignity is to eliminate regular monthly
absenteeism from school. This is measured by improved attendance
and grades. By providing washable panties and pads which will last
for 3 years this empowers girls to take control of their future.
Dignity – The girls now feel proud of their bodies even during
menstruation.
Education – The girls get to attend school more regularly which
improves attendance and grades.
Empowerment – The girls take back their power to make their own They made Penny pots, collected loose change, made cakes and
choices about their future. Christmas decorations for sale at a School Fayre. In total they raised
£147. 59p which they informed Lynn would help 29 girls. This was
Inspiration – Successful business women speak at the schools and made up to £400 and sent to the E Club in March and they identified
inspire them to greatness. a School for 100 SUBZ packs and also Pen pals for the Guides to
Joy – The girls are happier and enjoy their teenage years. correspond with.
Growth – The girls grow in confidence and education, making them Rotary Service in the Community and Internationally – that’s what
feel strong and able to create a bright future. we joined for - Isn’t it?
For example Sue Barnes, founder of SUBZ and Project Dignity was in
Durban when a young lady walked up to her and told her she had
received SUBZ at her school. She had then never missed school,
obtained her matric and was now in her second year studying to be
a paramedic.
Some club Rotarians are now “Uncles”, one, who shall be nameless,
is “Grandpa” (honorary of course) to some schools in the Durban
area.
In October 2019 Rotarian Lynn Gee from Liverpool Exchange spoke
to a local Guide Company about this project. The girls decided to
support it.
18 Rotary NoW Summer 2020You can also read
