The Roto Lockdown Edition 2020
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Rotary Magazine for District 1210 Spiderman the Kidsgrove hero A fond farewell from outgoing.. District Governor Brian Reilly piderman and his gang of helpers were seen out and about in Kidsgrove, handing out sweets and treats to I hope you are all staying safe, well and coping with these children all over the town. SKidsgrove Rotary, together with Clough changing times. As Paul Harris said in 1935: Hall junior parkrun, Denise Coffey and Spiderman himself, spent several afternoons walking around the town, handing out to the children. All at a safe How true that rings today. Who would have imagined at distance of course. the beginning of January 2020 that by the end of March we would all be socially isolating and our collective meetings would be banned? But they are and we have and are changing. Online meetings have become the norm and fellowship via these virtual meetings has replaced contact meetings for the time being for many of us. Despite these differences I have enjoyed my year as District Governor and have made many new friends as well as renewing old friendships. Thank you for making me so welcome at the events you held. e have found that with social Musician” and “Youth Speaks (The Debate), isolation the volunteering as well as the District “Young Chef” and aspects of people in our society other youth competitions. has increased and many more are seeking ways to support and participate Sadly, the National Finals were not able to A virtual guest Win community and larger projects - just look go ahead for these competitions due to the at the response to Captain Tom’s walk for national Volunteer Expo event at the NEC the NHS - fantastic. Online meetings give us in May being delayed for a year. ellington’s virtual special as Rotarians an ideal way to engage with guest becomes a real these community volunteers via Rotary at We are however delighted that Luke Rotarian. John Armstrong “No cost”, providing new ways for helping Millington (a volunteer for Hope House was introduced as a special and creating a source of opportunity for our Childrens Hospice) sponsored by Telford guest to Wellington Rotary at the first work “Service above Self”, particularly to Centre Rotary Club was selected for a Wzoom meeting of the whole club on 22 connect to the many and varied “Rotary Young Citizen Award 2020” and June. John was recommended to the organisations that are being supported was presented with his award on the BBC Telford Tree of Light committee as a throughout the Staffordshire, Shropshire News TV channel in May. web site expert when an upgrade to the and Black Country area of the West Midlands. If you are a non-Rotarian reading this Wellington Rotary and Tree of Light magazine, you will see Rotary provides Fun, websites was recommended by the Many in the community have commented Fellowship and that opportunity “With a current maintainer when support for on how pleased and happy they have been purpose” to all, so no matter what your website software DRUPAL 7 was to engage with Rotary in all sorts of interest or desire to get involved is focused withdrawn. activities, Rotary Books4Home, PPE around, talk to your local Rotary club or it was also recommended that the web equipment for local hospitals and hospices contact via www.rotary1210.org or sites should be hosted in a and now social distancing kits, support for www.facebook.com/RotaryD1210/ commercial environment. John has food banks and providing resources to help spent a lot of time converting the web with reopening charity shops. I look forward to working with current sites to WordPress and has also members and those who join during this put the club in touch with a local coming year and wish new DG Ken the very hosting company. Earlier this year, we were delighted that best for his year. Rotarian Dr Viquar Qurashi of the Rotary ‘As a result of reading ALL of our Club of Sedgley & Wombourne, received a website (possible the only one who has) Rotary “Champion of Change” Award. Best Wishes he became keen to join Wellington Rotary so we must have been doing We hosted two District, then very Brian Reilly something right!’ says Peter Seaward. successful Regional Finals for the “Young Immediate Past District Governor D1210 2 ROTO SUMMER 2020 Rotary Magazine for District 1210 Rotarians support Mayfair by going Wellington’s without their dinner Bursary scheme o - this was not an attempt to Rotary is recognized as an organisation lose weight, but to give pounds that exists to help struggling communities ince 2006 the Rotary Club of that otherwise would have locally and internationally, and its motto is Wellington has supported been spent on Church Stretton “Service above Self”. Due to the impact of students who move on to club dinners twice a month. But with the Coronavirus the club was not able to Higher Education or into arrival of Coronavirus, face to face organise fundraising events or undertake work with an award to help them in N their studies. Students are interviewed meetings have been banned to comply street collections, so it was agreed that it S with the government instructions to stay at would look for donations from members. by a panel of Wellington Rotarians home, be safe and save lives. Yes members did go without their dinner who then recommend a recipient, Club members are fully aware that the but more importantly they were able to subject to examination results. demand for the delivery of meals to homes send £1,085 to Mayfair as a contribution The 2020 recipient of the award is increasing week by week and thankfully to help them to help people who are writes: “Hello everyone! I’d like to Mayfair are managing the situation by struggling within their local community. start by saying thank you for your attracting additional volunteer deliverers. generous assistance in my education. You chose me for the Rotary Club bursary last year and I was able to get an iPad for university. It’s brilliant. I Thank You Lend with Care use it for everything. Writing up notes, using the apps available for my t Mary's Catholic Primary School Project anatomy classes and even getting thank Rotary Club of Stoke on creative for future businesses I’d like Trent for their donation towards to start! ‘I hope you are all well and its hygiene facilities!! We really alsall Saddlers Rotary's Lend safe! I can’t believe it has been a year appreciate your help towards keeping us with Care Project which since I met you all at lunch. Time flies Ssafe and clean in school. provides small low cost loans when you are having fun. I have nearly to entrepreneurs in completed my first year at Brighton developing countries, has provided loans University and it has been great! I Wto Anita Ballena Tandaypan and Rosa have enjoyed it very much. I’ve been Villegas Martinez both from Peru. Anita taking advantage of the different needed the loan for her retail shop and societies and clubs. I’ve met people Rosa needed funding for her poultry and from different parts of the world and animal farming business. The club wishes it’s been great. them well with their businesses. “I am glad I made the decision to go to university as it’s such a fantastic experience. I am definitely looking forward to going into my second year in September once this Coronavirus peak has passed. The current situation has made me more determined to help make a difference in healthcare. Stay safe and well!” Rotary Keeps the Distance NEXT ISSUE The NEXT issue of ROTO will be for Hospices published in JANUARY 2021 . ho would have thought that Hospice shops are a lifeline for many COPY DEADLINE DATE entering a shop could be a people and a tremendous source of much NOVEMBER 30th 2020 bit of a puzzling experience? needed income for hospices. Through a Where to stand? How to be grant and generous donations the Rotary Please email articles to the friendly at the till but not risk the health of clubs in the district 1210 (Most of tWhe operator? Staffordshire, Shropshire and part of the Editor Cressida Dickens Hospice shops have started to reopen for West Midlands) are managing to donate E: [email protected] / business but will need all the social social distancing equipment for about 70% Designer Linsey Bradley distancing equipment required in other of the over 100 hospice shops in their E: [email protected] shops. Graphics to stand on, hand district so far. sanitising stations to squirt, sneeze screens to protect – all are needed by every store Design & Print by Quill Design Ltd and hospices need every penny they have T: 01384 566266 for their invaluable services. www.quill-design.co.uk SUMMER 2020 ROTO 3 Rotary Magazine for District 1210 Getting to know you... Ken Wagstaffe District Governor How long have you been a What has been your greatest Rotarian? inspiration in Rotary? Since 1985 so 35 years. The work of Rotary Foundation in the developing world, especially water, How were you introduced to sanitation and healthcare. Rotary? What is your favourite type of Who would you hate to be stuck I was asked by Scott Webster, former holiday? in a lift with? President of The Wrekin Rotary Club. An outdoor adventure. An elephant. I have an unexplained phobia What was your vocation before of confined spaces. retirement? What do you do to relax? If you had to be stuck in a lift Chartered Public Finance Accountant.