Rotary International, which began as an idea more than 100 years ago, flourishes worldwide with 1.2 million members in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.
In the run-up to the Rotary’s 106th birthday on February 23, Ruthin Rotarian Geoff Andrews tells of the organisation’s work in communities, both in and around Ruthin, and overseas.
Some of the support Rotary gives to overseas communities is reactive, in response to particular disasters such as, in recent times, the Haiti earthquake and the Pakistan floods.
In these cases Rotary raises money through public collections, and also gives its own money to send immediate help in the form of shelter boxes to provide shelter and clean water for those who have neither.
A shelter box costs around £600 and provides shelter and warmth for 10 people for an extended period. It contains a tent, sleeping bags, multifuel cooker and pots.
Some 28,000 shelter boxes were sent to Haiti.
In these reactive situations, which seem to coming ever more frequently, Rotary is also seen as a channel for other organisations to ensure that aid is properly directed.
Locally, several schools raised money, particularly for Haiti, and asked Rotary to ensure that it was sent where it would do most good.
Working with communities in and around Ruthin
The past six months have been particularly busy.
A major project was the building of the new Christmas float, the previous one having come to the end of its useful life after 30 years.
Rotary was delighted that it was able to build and pay for this with the support of sponsors and grants and can report that no charity monies were used.
Despite the weather, the float was out every weekday in December and two weekends, bringing some Christmas cheer to young and old alike.
During the same period Rotary planted 2,000 daffodil bulbs around the Denbigh roundabout off the link road, and also made donations to a number of organisations that requested support.
These included St Kentigern Hospice, Macmillan nurses, CLICSargent, Ruthin Mencap, Air Ambulance, Caring for Carers, new vestments for St Peter’s choir, playground equipment for Cyffylliog school, presentation of dictionaries to many local schools, and support for Parc-y-Dre Play Area / Star Association.
In total, just over £5,000 was raised and donated.
Projects planned for the next six months include refurbishing the exercise trail in Cae Ddol once the work on the lake is completed and also placing two additional picnic tables with wheelchair access.
In April Rotary will again run the Stroke Awareness day and a day out for the Darby and Joan Club. If other organisations locally need support they should contact Rotary directly.
Medium and longer term projects to help those abroad
One of the Ruthin members, Kevin Morris, has become skilled at obtaining grants from Rotary International.
He heard about a need to help the work of the charity Families for Children Zambia.
Orphans in Kantolumba needed senior and junior desks, text books, carpentry tools, tables and chairs, sewing machines, cooking pots and a stove, and clothes for 100 children.
Ruthin Rotary’s international committee raised £2,000 through various events throughout the year, and, through Ruthin’s own charity funds, to which members pay in every month, a further £1,600 was found.
This £3,600 was used by Kevin to secure grants from the Rotary International Foundation Fund of a further £9,000. With this total of £12,600 funds secured Rotary is able to totally fund the Zambia project.
The Ruthin club is now considering projects for next year.
A longer term overseas project is the Thanks for Life campaign.
Polio eradication has been Rotary’s top priority since 1985.
Polio cases have since fallen from 350,000 a year to a recorded 1,600 last year.
Thanks to Rotary’s help, two billion children have been protected from the disease, and the number of endemic countries has fallen from 125 to four.
It is estimated that five million children have been spared from disability and 250,000 deaths have been averted.
Rotary members worldwide have so far raised over £600 million to fund polio immunisation activities.
This is the second year of the Thanks for Life campaign and Ruthin Rotary is joining forces with schools to raise money, and raise awareness by planting purple crocus bulbs.
The colour denotes the purple dye used to mark a child’s finger to indicate they have been immunised against polio.
* To find out more about Rotary, or to join Ruthin Rotary contact Geoff Andrews by emailing geoffclear@supanet.com
Service above Self
Rotary International is an organisation of Rotary clubs located all over the world.
The organisation brings together business and professional people to help their communities, encourage high ethical standards in all dealings, and help build goodwill and peace.
It is a secular organisation open to all people regardless of race, colour, creed, gender, or political preference.
Rotarians are unpaid volunteers who help communities both at home and overseas, and their motto is Service above Self.