INSIDE THIS ISSUE Inside Bridgend prison 4 Tackling domestic abuse 10 Qantas blanket project 20 Rotary Shelter bus 36

rotarygbi.org The Official Magazine of Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland October/November 2018

REHABILITATION OR PUNISHMENT? 4 4

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4 30 20 REGULARS NEXT ISSUE FEATURES Letters to the Editor 6 Rotary and war Inside Bridgend Prison 4 Telling the stories of Rotary life at Rotary Great Britain home and on the battlefields of Tackling domestic abuse 10 & Ireland President 22 Europe 100 years ago. Rotary Foundation feature 12 Talk from the Top 24 Qantas blanket project 20 People of Action 38 Phil Bennett: rugby legend 26 And Finally… 50 Lesley Sulley: Rotary women 28 Smartphone doctor 30 Think Differently 32 Lets Hear hits Salford 34 Rotary Shelter Bus 36

Editor Dave King EVEN MORE ONLINE [email protected] VISIT OUR NEW PR Officer WEBSITE [email protected] Facebook /RotaryinGBI Advertising by Media Shed Twitter Rotary Dawn Tucker @RotaryGBI Great Britain & Ireland Sales Manager Kinwarton Road, 020 3475 6815 YouTube Alcester, [email protected] Rotary International in Warwickshire Great Britain & Ireland B49 6PB Published by Contently Limited Instagram 01789 765 411 contentlylondon.co.uk @RotaryGBI www.rotarygbi.org

rotarygbi.org ROTARY // 3 ROTARY IN ACTION Bridgend Prison When Oliver Twist met Mary Poppins

Dave King visits HM Prison Parc in Wales to learn about an innovative Rotary-led programme working with prisoners.

HE knuckle tattoo on either hand spelled the letters L-O-V-E and H-A-T-E on each finger. As Howard Craven engaged in animated Tconversation with the prisoners about their heroes in life – and those they disrespected – this faded ink legacy was the only clue to inmates that he was once one of them. Stood alongside, in a raspberry- coloured summer dress with matching, fashionable shoes, the quietly-spoken, flame-haired Alison Sutherland was asking a young man aboout his mother's qualities which made her his hero. Faced by nine prisoners inside a workroom at the category B HM Prison Parc near Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, this was a most unlikely double act. It was Oliver Twist meets Mary Poppins. Alison Sutherland pictured with Howard Craven at HM Prison Parc What is remarkable, is that this implausible combination works. This was the second day of a Rotary-backed ‘You It required a huge amount of self- running the Endeavour Unit, for former Can Change’ activity which helps offenders discipline to move away from rock bottom. servicemen and first-time offenders coming realise that change is possible and your past Howard went on a 12-step programme into prison. does not have to dictate your future. to tackle a toxic combination of addictions; For the past two years, he has been Howard, who grew up in Swansea and gambling, alcohol and drugs. And he made delivering the ‘You Can Change’ activity taken into care at an early age, is a classic a conscious decision then that, if he was to alongside Alison, which aims to inspire example of how this works. properly rehabilitate, then he had to give and equip prisoners to return to their “I was brought up in the care system,” something back to the community. families and community where they can live he admitted. “I was placed in a detention Now a Supporting Mentor for 'Invisible fulfilled lives, free of crime. centre at the age of 12 with my two Walls Wales' and the Endeavour Unit at This activity has been borrowed brothers. Later in life I began taking drugs. the country’s biggest prison, with 1,700 from PeaceJam, the international youth "I was drinking, I was having inmates, including lifers serving murder movement which has been nominated eight relationship problems – I was having a sentences, Howard has become an integral times for the Nobel Peace Prize. Over the problem with society. part of the work which helps Parc Prison three days, the prisoners are challenged on “I realised when I got out of prison in inmates reclaim their lives. their views, prejudices, fears and hopes. 2000, at the age of 36, that something had Howard started work at HMP Parc in Videos play an important part, with to change otherwise I would end up dead 2015 after spending many years supporting films about the lives of Gandhi, Muhamad or in prison for the rest of my life. I had to prison leavers in the community. Ali and the American gangster, Stanley learn how to live differently.” He was instrumental in setting up and ‘Tookie’ Williams, who later preached a

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message of rejecting gangs and embracing support to their families. peace. “I realised when I got out of “He is a very worthy recipient of the “It is about trying to ignite beliefs and Rotary Community Champion award, and challenging attitudes,” added Howard. prison in 2000, at the age a great inspiration to show that they too can “We are also trying to address the root of 36, that something had to change if they wish to do so.” causes of what brought them here in the Howard Craven added: “It was an first place. It is believing you can change, change otherwise I would end honour to receive an award such as the even if it is a small change. up dead, or in prison for the Rotary Community Champion. When "Some people get it, others don’t.” Alison and myself first started two years Inside that room of nine inmates were rest of my life. I had to learn ago, we didn’t dream of receiving such a couple of teenage brothers jailed for drug acclaim – it is as much hers as it is mine. dealing, sitting alongside a veteran of the how to live differently” “Rotary and I share a lot in common legal system who was shortly due for release in that we want to help and make a after serving a term for serious assault. difference to those who have become a “It’s all about choices,” explained the with a programme like this? The ‘You little lost in life.” l veteran. “It’s all about making the right Can Change’ activity is one of a number of choices, but you have to make them in the building blocks provided at Parc Prison to environment you live.” help inmates once they have been released. FACT FILE “I want to stop selling drugs and get a “What we are doing is sewing the job when I get out of here,” said another. “I seeds, what we don’t know is when they UK PRISONS know I can make changes, but only small will bloom, or if they will bloom,” added • The prison population has risen by changes.” Howard. 77% in the last 30 years Over the past two years, Howard and “We know they will have left us Alison have delivered eight sessions at equipped with the knowledge to turn their • 65,000 people were sent to prison Parc Prison for 128 prisoners under the lives around. The rest of it is up to them.” to serve a sentence in 2017 umbrella of Rotary in South Wales 1150 Earlier this year, Howard was • Nearly a third of people assessed in and PeaceJam Wales. honoured for his work when he received a prison in 2016/17 reported that they “Mary Poppins and Oliver Twist is an Rotary Community Champion award in had a learning disability interesting way of looking at it,” explained Cardiff. • England and Wales has the highest Alison. “Howard and I are different, but we Presenting the honour, Denis Spiller, imprisonment rate in western Europe compliment each other like good cop, bad then president of Rotary International in cop, however we get the reaction and we Great Britain & Ireland, said: “Howard’s seem to be getting the results.” work has helped so many people who could To join Rotary visit: But how do you measure success easily have become lost causes and given rotarygbi.org rotarygbi.org ROTARY // 5 Letters to the Editor

not connected with Inner Wheel it isn't correct decision to open its doors to women Dolly delight very difficult to undertake some research members, and dual gender clubs no doubt I would like to express my absolute delight as regards what the organisation stands operate successfully in many cultures and to see a copy of the Rotary magazine for as their website states: “International environments. with lovely Dolly Parton on the front. I Inner Wheel is dedicated to the pursuit of But I suspect, many clubs have lost am currently at Gatwick Airport flying to a society in which women are given equal some of the inherently male elements my beloved Ireland via Knock then onto opportunity and are equally represented in of “fellowship” which help to bind the County Leitrim. every sector.” members together when women have I am very proud to be a member of As an international service joined the club. Rotary Kingston upon Thames in Surrey, organisation, it has clubs in parts of the where, if I may say so, for a very small club world where a man would not be allowed John J Elliot it achieves much for the local community. in the same room as a woman let alone the Rotary Langholm I came to England 47 years ago and same club, so please advise how merging after having six pre-term babies, two of the organisations is going to work there! whom sadly died, set up a charity called Rotary definitely has its own ‘Born Too Soon’ supporting families who membership problems to resolve, but Dismay at article have premature or unwell babies being merging with Inner Wheel certainly isn't I am dismayed to read your article on cared for on the Neonatal Unit at Kingston the answer. modern slavery in the June/July issue Hospital. which asks for Rotary “to take up the Rotary Kingston upon Thames was the Paul Hickson mantle and get involved”. very first club to support us when we set it District 1145, You are clearly not aware that Mark up in 1985. It was through the support of Membership Extension Officer Little from Norwich has been working on Rotary that we have helped to raise several modern slavery for more than a decade million pounds for our Neonatal Unit and and he set up the Rotary Action Group also I have met the most amazing people. Against Slavery and has been supported by Thank you to each and every Fellowship lost two other British Rotarians, Harry Payne Rotarian for the care and support you give I read your Editor’s Letter in the recent and Stephen Sypula for many years. I was worldwide. issue of Rotary referring to Inner Wheel elected to the Board three years ago. with much interest. We have done advocacy in the UK and Pauline Woods It is the first time I’ve seen any beyond, including meetings with the Home Rotary Kingston upon Thames acknowledgement from the higher echelons Secretary, and Mark contributed significant of Rotary International or Rotary GBI of amendments to the Modern Slavery the double standards practised by Rotary Act. We have also had meetings with the Merging not the answer whereby Rotary clubs must be open to both Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner. sexes, but Rotary then actively promotes We were involved in the Commonwealth I refer to your article 'A joint future' in the its links with Inner Wheel which per your Summit and helped get modern slavery June/July issue of Rotary magazine, which quote from the Inner Wheel President is into the communiqué. was prompted by a forthright speech at “unapologetically a women’s organisation, Mark has had stands and sell-out our conference by the then Inner Wheel run by women, for women…” break-out sessions at many conventions President, Liz Thomas. The raison d’être for Inner Wheel including Toronto in June. The Action I understand that as the Editor of the disappeared the day Rotary clubs had to Group has members in more than 60 Rotary magazine, the views you expressed become dual gender, so why does Inner countries and clubs in California have in your article are your own, but we are on Wheel still exist? received a global grant of $300,000 to raise exactly the same page when it comes to It exists because its members enjoy awareness of modern slavery. Mark has describing male Rotarians as 'blockers' for spending some of their time in the done remarkable work in India and Nepal. not allowing women to join Rotary. company of other women, just as many Mark and I have contributed videos for a However, by suggesting that Inner men enjoy the banter, mickey taking and university course on slavery. Wheel is adopting the same approach by common interests which are a feature of I hope you will correct the impression not allowing men to join their organisation men only gatherings. that Rotary is doing nothing in Britain and misses the fundamental point of their Interestingly there was a press report give Mark an opportunity to write an article raison d'être. last weekend of the explosive growth of the for Rotary magazine. As my wife is a member of Inner Men’s Shed movement which is giving a Wheel, I hope I have a reasonably good new lease of life to many otherwise Judith Diment understanding of what makes Inner lonely men. Rotary Maidenhead Thames Wheel different to Rotary, but if you are Rotary unquestionably made the

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Letters to the Editor

Breaking the mould Organ donation plea Women who keynote Many members of Rotary have been My friend Kirsty Devlin from Manchester, familiar with Rotary Institutes over the an ex-founder of the Rotaract Club of years. Well this year, by request, we have Ormskirk Edge Hill and who is starting out broken the mould! in the tech industry has designed a website I invite everyone, colleagues, friends forum called ‘Women Who Keynote’. and family, to our ‘Be The Inspiration’ With the empowerment of women weekend in Stratford-upon-Avon this being one of the world’s sustainable November. development goals I thought this would We will be based at the Crowne make a great story for the magazine. Plaza Hotel on Friday, November 23rd Organ donation and its vital role in saving After being in the tech industry for for Foundation Day, and the ‘Be The the lives of so many people is back in the a few years now, Kirsty got a bit fed up of Inspiration’ weekend runs on Saturday and news. turning up to shows and meetings to be Sunday (November 24th and 25th). Recently, there was a story published greeted by an all-male panel, who were In the presence of Rotary International in the Daily Mail about 10-year-old Max nicknamed ‘manels’. President, Barry Rassin, and Rotary Johnson who had a heart transplant So she took it upon herself to create a Foundation Trustee Vice Chairman, Brenda in 2017. place where you could go to find some great Cressey, there will be a programme of His donor, Keira Ball, was just nine- speakers who are not only male. knowledge and inspiration. years-old when she was killed in a car crash, ‘Women Who Keynote’ is a platform This will involve Rotaract, young but her heart was given to Max who has designed for women and non-binary members of Rotary, Shakespeare Schools fronted the Daily Mirror’s ‘Change the Law individuals to promote themselves for Foundation, renowned Rotary member for Life campaign’, which is pressing for a speaking opportunities. Geoff Mackey, the Alcester Junior Drama change in the law for organ donation with The platform is designed to showcase Club and a close friend of Prince Harry, the introduction of an opt-out system. speakers of all experience levels and across the ex-Royal Marine double amputee, Ben The remarkable coincidence for Rotary all industries. If you have something to say, McBean, who will be truly inspirational! Hazel Grove in Cheshire is that one of the you are a potential speaker. There will be time to hear of our speakers this year was Max’s father, Paul – The site currently has 161 great Rotary successes, plans for the future, plus he happens to be the nephew of one of our speakers and Kirsty is hoping to take your two minutes of inspiration and your Rotarians, Robert Lewis. the forum to international level once it points of view in the break-out sessions. Paul and his family are leading is established at national level. There will be an opportunity to figures in the campaign to change the law We are always looking for great meander through the solely Rotary concerning organ donation. A new opt-out speakers within Rotary at club, district, Showcase, speak to enthusiasts and experts, system for organ donation will be in place national and international level. as well as hear from individuals who by 2020 in England, if Parliament approves What a great resource for any club or continue the good work undertaken by "Max's Law". district to have at their fingertips. In fact, Rotary and our Foundation throughout Thanks to Past President of Rotary in it's something a lot of speaker secretaries the world – Shelter Bus, Arch Klumph Great Britain & Ireland, Dr Keith Barnard- are crying out for. Society members, the Rotary Doctor Bank, Jones back in 1996-97, organ donation had I am also pretty sure that we have peace scholars, ShelterBox and youth been enthusiastically promoted as many plenty of great ‘women who keynote’ within programmes. Rotarians have signed the organ donation Rotary who would love to have their names It is our task to educate, assess need, card. added to the ever growing list. inform, inspire, enjoy, support, partake Today is a perfect time for Rotary Please take a look at the site: and publicise. to step back into the limelight for this www.womenwhokeynote.com Please register using the online splendid cause and I hope we shall respond registration: www.rotarygbi.org/ once again - Max is our inspiration! Stephen Gilligan members/events George R. Ayres, Rotary Dukinfield & Stalybridge and Past President of Brian Stoyel Rotary Hazel Grove. Rotary Maghull & Aughton. Rotary International Director 2017/19, Do you believe it is right there should be an Chairman RI Board Executive Committee opt-out for organ donation, rather than opt-in? Write to: [email protected]

Get in touch We welcome your letters on any subject to do with Rotary. Submissions should not be more than 250 words long. Please include your name and address. Email: [email protected] or Post: Rotary magazine, Rotary in Great Britain & Ireland, Kinwarton Road, Alcester, Warwickshire B49 6PB. The comments made on this page do not necessarily represent the views of Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland and Rotarians.

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DAVE KING Tackling domestic abuse The High Sheriff of Wiltshire, Nicky Alberry, explains how important Rotary has become in helping her campaign to tackle domestic abuse

URING football’s World Cup partner or ex-partner between 2014 and are a lot of women who I see at the refuges this summer, there was one 2017. and out and about in Wiltshire who don’t eye-catching meme which For Nicky, as the current High Sheriff have that support. They don’t have the went viral on social media: of Wiltshire, this is an issue which sits top of courage or the ability to be able to live on 'No one wants England to win her targets and one she is very familiar with their own, away from their perpetrator. Dmore than women – domestic abuse rates through a couple of friends. “In a way, this was one of the catalysts rise by 38% when England lose'. “They had very supportive family for choosing domestic abuse as one of my It was published by the domestic units, a good education, good jobs, yet they focuses for the year.” abuse charity, the Pathway Project, drawing still ended up in a very unpleasant and Nicky, who is a past president of attention to a delicate subject when unhealthy relationship,” she said. Swindon Rotary and an active member, is everyone’s eyes were fixed on sport. “Both of my friends have children. only the 10th woman in the county to hold According to the Office for National Fortunately, they managed to extricate the office of High Sheriff. She is appointed Statistics, 1.2 million women suffered themselves from their relationships and by the Queen for what is the oldest secular domestic abuse last year and, on average, move on with their lives. appointment after the Crown. In Wiltshire, two women every week were killed by their “But, it really made me think that there the role dates back to Saxon times in 1066

10 // ROTARY when they were the King’s right-hand man responsible for keeping law and order in the county. That meant raising an army, collecting taxes and dispensing justice – everything that kept the county or bailiwick safe. Over the years, with the creation of Parliament and the armed forces, along with the rise of the police force, the role no longer has connotations with Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest. Every High Sheriff serves a one-year term and because of her involvement with the charity Swindon Women’s Aid, as well as serving as chairman of the Domestic Violence Organisation in Swindon, Nicky chose this as her theme.

Nicky Alberry, the High Sheriff of Wiltshire and a Swindon Rotarian

“They had very supportive and actually stop many of these cases from Easter eggs for the local refuge, as well as escalating.” supplying clothing, food and practical items family units, a good education, Nicky frankly admits that she is being to help the women and their families when good jobs, yet they still ended “a right pain in the neck” in pushing the they move on and out of the refuge. agenda, mindful that the public sector is “Raising awareness is important, as up in a very unpleasant and under huge financial pressures. well as supporting some of the practical It can mean that by the time a woman programmes for victims, including unhealthy relationship” and her children end up in a refuge, it is volunteering to become mentors to support far too late. The problems are deep-rooted the women on a six-week programme and expensive to deal with; the family called ‘Route 66’ designed to help them “Swindon Rotary and other clubs in need a new home to live in, a new school start thinking about becoming financially the town have been a huge supporter of the for the children, police and possibly court independent and looking for a job. refuge here,” added Nicky. involvement, plus medical intervention, the “Rotary is ideally placed to work “Since taking on the role, I have spent list goes on. alongside this agenda,” said Nicky, who a lot of time going out and understanding What she wants is more collaborative admitted that her club has been “absolutely what all the organisations, including the working between education, health, police, brilliant” this year helping her as High police and the court system, are doing to the courts, and community organisations to Sheriff of Wiltshire. l tackle domestic abuse, which, sadly, affects educate people about healthy relationships one in four women, and one in six men, and and different ways of living together. has a massive impact upon children. In January, with the support of FACT FILE “Domestic abuse is huge. We are seeing Wiltshire’s Chief Constable and the Police families where second and third generations and Crime Commissioner, Nicky is hosting DOMESTIC ABUSE have been subjected to violent relationships, a conference looking at early intervention and the police and court systems are and working with perpetrators. “You have • Domestic abuse affects one in four dealing with it all the time. got to address both sides of the problem, women, and one in six men “Quite often, the women have complex and work with them to change their • Seven women a month are killed by a problems in addition to dealing with the behaviours and to do something around the current or former partner in England violent relationship - and it doesn’t need to health aspects too,” she added. and Wales be physical violence, it can be a controlling But what about Rotary, an organisation • 20% of children in the UK have lived or coercive relationship with their partner. she joined in 1997. What part can it play in with an adult perpetrating domestic "These women may have drug or tackling this thorny issue? violence alcohol problems, as well as mental health “Rotary can do a lot,” answered Nicky, • It is estimated that around three problems. who pointed out how a couple of members women a week commit suicide as a “It is a very, very big problem today, of her club have put together a programme result of domestic violence but I have been heartened by the support of activities for the women and their that is being given to these victims, and the families at the Swindon refuge. willingness of everybody to think how can Fundraising is another avenue, To join Rotary visit: we do things differently to make it better whether buying Christmas presents or rotarygbi.org rotarygbi.org ROTARY // 11 The cement that binds us together

Providing solutions for feminine hygiene in India

T’S incredible to think that, last contribution of $26.50 (£20.40) from resources, clubbing together to fund many year, more than 140 global grant each member, set in motion what is now projects across the world via grants. projects, worth well in excess of called The Rotary Foundation – a powerful When the time comes to implement £3.24 million ($4.2 million) were force which has transformed millions of a project, then you can rely on the carried out by Rotary members in lives around the globe. Foundation to help fund your idea IGreat Britain & Ireland, writes Calum Rotary is dedicated to six areas of through grants. Thomson. focus to build international relationships, All global grant projects are financed These were wonderful, sustainable improve lives, and create a better world to mostly with The Rotary Foundation funds. projects which have re-shaped support our peace efforts, as well as ending This allows us to increase our project size communities and changed people’s lives polio forever. and make an even bigger difference to the around the world, all funded through The The Rotary Foundation is consistently lives of others. Rotary Foundation – Rotary’s rated as one of the best charities in the The Rotary Foundation requests all only charity, and which we feature here world. Stewardship of funds is essential Rotary members to give as much as they over the next five pages. to maintaining our fantastic reputation of can to fund our causes and projects; but In 1917, Rotary’s sixth president, Arch integrity and performance. We trust Rotary it also asks all them to help spend these Klumph, a successful businessman and members to implement and deliver great donations too! musician from Cleveland, Ohio, proposed projects. Many are professional experts, and So, before you hand over cheques to setting up an endowment fund “for the all share a passion and desire to succeed. outside charities for their projects, isn’t your purpose of doing good in the world”. By contributing to The Rotary own charity worth your support? l That simple idea with an initial Foundation, members benefit from pooled

THE SIX AREAS OF FOCUS PROMOTING PEACE PROVIDING CLEAN WATER, SUPPORTING EDUCATION: Rotary encourages conversations to foster SANITATION AND HYGIENE More than 775 million people over the understanding within and across cultures. We support local solutions to bring clean age of 15 are illiterate. Our goal is to We train adults and young leaders to water, sanitation, and hygiene to more strengthen the capacity of communities prevent and mediate conflict, and help people every day. We don’t just build wells to support basic education and literacy, refugees who have fled dangerous areas. and walk away. We share our expertise with reduce gender disparity in education, and community leaders and educators to make increase adult literacy. FIGHTING DISEASE sure our projects succeed long-term. We educate and equip communities to GROWING LOCAL COMMUNITIES stop the spread of life-threatening diseases SAVING MOTHERS AND CHILDREN We carry out service projects that enhance like polio, HIV/AIDS, and malaria. We Nearly six million children under the age of economic and community development improve and expand access to low-cost five die each year because of malnutrition, and create opportunities for decent and and free health care in developing areas. poor health care, and inadequate sanitation. productive work for young and old. We We expand access to quality care, so also strengthen local entrepreneurs and mothers and their children can live and community leaders, particularly women, grow stronger. in impoverished communities.

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What is The Rotary Foundation?

Providing support for sick children

WHAT DOES THE ROTARY WHAT ARE GLOBAL GRANTS? It is often assumed that The Rotary FOUNDATION DO? These are generally larger projects of a value Foundation asks every member for $100 Over the next few pages, you will read some in excess of $30,000 (£23,170), including each year. Though this is not much money examples of how The Rotary Foundation the use of District Designated Fund, with to most Rotarians, just over a pound or helps those in need. matching from the World Fund, as well Euro per week, actually the Foundation as contributions from the host Rotary asks every Rotarian to voluntarily give WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM club and the international Rotary club. something – a dollar is enough. FOR THE ROTARY FOUNDATION? Interestingly, a global grant has been set • Personal and Rotary club donations, up using an English club as the host and a WHY DONATE TO apart from the results of certain club Scottish club as the international partner. THE ROTARY FOUNDATION? fundraising events, the most tax efficient By contributing to The Rotary Foundation is a personal contribution to the Rotary DID YOU KNOW? you enable all Rotary clubs and volunteers, Foundation in United Kingdom using Partner organisations, such as the local wherever they are, to benefit from our Gift Aid. church or school, can also work on global pooled resources. You help fund countless grant projects with a Rotary club. Even projects throughout the world via grants. • Lump sums and/or legacies will usually outside bodies can obtain a 50% top-up When you wish to implement a project, you go to the Endowment Fund, where only from The Rotary Foundation’s World Fund. can rely on the Foundation to help fund the income arising is spent and the capital your idea through grants. retained. WHAT ARE PEACE SCHOLARS? • Donors may designate the spend to be on Ten scholarships for a Masters’ degree in THE GRANTS ARE TOO COMPLICATED peace, polio or one of the six areas Peace and Conflict Resolution are awarded Then ask the experts. Each district has an of focus. each year for each of five Rotary Peace experienced and knowledgeable team who • Rotary regions, known as districts, may Centres; Bradford, Brisbane, Uppsala are there to help, guide and support. donate part of their District Designated (Sweden), Tokyo and Duke/University of Fund. North Carolina in the United States. In AND FINALLY! addition, a certificate programme is run The Rotary Foundation is Rotary’s only WHAT ARE DISTRICT GRANTS? from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. charity. Not only does it provide the income, The Rotary Foundation works on a three- but we also decide how the available monies year cycle, so donations are invested for WHAT ABOUT POLIO? are spent – it’s quite simple really! three years with the income arising used to All monies received towards End Polio Now cover expenses. Districts then receive one are designated separately in order to qualify half of the funds they raised three years ago for matched from the Gates Foundation for District Grants. The money available of 2-to-1 raised by Rotary. So £1 raised, To find out more, visit: will, of course, vary, depending on funds becomes £3 matched! rotary.org/foundation or previously raised. The district can decide on How much should Rotary members rotarygbi.org/about-rotary/ the criteria for awarding grants. donate individually? the-rotary-foundation

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RODNEY HOWELL Where there’s a well, there’s a way

The Rotary Foundation brings together clubs from across the world working together to fund major projects through their financial pulling power. Here's how successful Rotary partnerships were forged to build a series of wells in Sri Lanka.

A fresh water well being constructed in Kilinochchi

16 // ROTARY rotarygbi.org HE decision made by a small small, privately owned plots. As a result, charity working to relieve “Water is a most basic the owner of the land had to sign a contract poverty in Sri Lanka to take allowing his neighbours access to the well to a stand at the 2016 Rotary necessity, and many villagers draw water for drinking. in Great Britain and Ireland who lost crops during long and The $55,000 (£42,250) grant took Tconference in Bournemouth has resulted in about 18 months to obtain, despite having a massive financial boost to its work in the repeated droughts will benefit the Rotary contacts in place and the north of the island. principle being established. Child Aid Lanka (CAL) is an from this project.” The money came from the Whitburn association of expatriate Sri Lankans living and Livingston clubs in Scotland, as well in the UK and based in Cheam, Surrey. as Rotary Tywyn in Wales, topped up by They work to improve the lot of district grants, plus £14,500 from the deprived children in Sri Lanka by ensuring charity itself to scale up the total. they receive a proper education. Water is a most basic necessity, and “The trustees did our homework before Ironically, the Bournemouth many villagers who lost crops during long taking that step, but all the information we conference coincided with the appointment and repeated droughts will benefit from this got indicated that we could trust Rotary of Ravi Ravindran, a member of Rotary project. with our money,” explained Sean McQuaid. Colombo, as President of Rotary The assistance of his club and others, The charity’s trustees share much of the International, who would be attending the when linked to the financial clout of Rotary ethos, taking no expenses and going Dorset event as part of his official duties. The Rotary Foundation, would enable to Sri Lanka on holiday to enable them to “Rotarian Tom Drake, of Water Aid the relatively small number of wells that keep an eye on the progress of projects. UK, suggested that we take a stand because CAL had already completed to be hugely When the work is complete it is of the link”, recalled CAL Trustee, Sean increased. hoped to move on to a further phase McQuaid. “The surface water sources out there named ‘Well Done Too’, again based on the “We felt we had a good, sustainable are toxic,” pointed out Alistair. “So proper Rotary emphases on water, sanitation and charity, aligned to Rotary’s aims, and we hydrological surveys were vital.” education. were looking for kindred spirits. Fortunately, contacts within Rotary “Most Rotarians who have raised It was all about awareness raising.” Colombo, who acted as financial controllers money for this work will never see and The outcome was, in Sean’s words, at the Sri Lankan end of the operation, led never know those who benefit,” added “a wonderful reaction” which exceeded all to a recently completed university study Alistair Marquis. expectations and which, a couple of years which saved a year towards the completion Truly an excellent example of the down the line, resulted in a global grant and of the project. power of the Rotary effect. l a huge boost to the tiny charity’s efforts. The wells, constructed through a Among the conference attendees was programme entitled ‘Well Done’, are eight Alistair Marquis, a member of Whitburn to ten feet in diameter and have to go down Rotary Club in Southern Scotland, who about 30 feet to reach the water table. also happens to be a World Bank Education They are constructed of locally-made Consultant involved in helping to update concrete blocks by a construction company the Sri Lankan school system. which has already built more than 16 wells INDIA He was well placed to see that for CAL, each with a 25-year life span. CAL’s projects to build wells to provide Spending the money locally, through local sources of fresh, clean water in the the Rotary members in Colombo, ensured Kilinochchi district of North West Sri that there was a further economic gain for Lanka, was linked to the work in which he the community. The water is raised in a was engaged. simple and sustainable way via a bucket, SRI LANKA These wells would, after all, free pulley and rope. children from the drudgery of walking Each well costs around $1,000 (£770) long distances to fetch water each day, so and 50 wells are planned. allowing them to attend classes. Five wells have been completed and a Many of the villagers in Kilinochchi further 35 wells are planned for completion are also survivors of the 30 year civil war, within the next six months. For more information visit: featuring many who have been displaced or One final hurdle was that, unlike Child Aid Lanka are war widows struggling to re-establish in Africa, the land in Sri Lanka is not Email: [email protected] livelihoods. communal, but instead it is established in www.childaidlanka.org.uk

rotarygbi.org ROTARY // 17 The power of partnership

Providing clean water to villages in Malawi

Here are three more projects run by Rotary clubs in Great Britain and Ireland which demonstrate the power of partnership in changing the lives of others through The Rotary Foundation.

BRINGING BASIC SANITATION INTRODUCING PEACE AND CONFLICT PROVIDING SOLUTIONS FOR FEMININE TO A REMOTE VILLAGE IN MALAWI RESOLUTION TO SCOTTISH STUDENTS HYGIENE IN INDIA Area of focus: Providing clean water Area of focus: Promoting peace Area of focus: Fighting disease Host sponsor: Rotary Inverness Culloden, Host sponsor: Rotary in Southern Scotland Host sponsor: Rotary Pune Inspira, India Scotland International sponsor: Rotary in the East International Sponsor: Rotary Cardiff International sponsor: Rotary Lilongwe, Midlands, England Bay, Wales Malawi Total budget: £24,000 Total budget: £59,500 Total budget: £48,000 Background: Conflict within some of our Background: Providing cost-effective Background: The project focussed on the most deprived areas can destroy lives and solutions to the 250,000 female sanitary eradication of open defecation in rural condemn young people to a life of misery towels discarded in the Indian city communities and waterborne diseases by and lost opportunities. each year. addressing education and training. Scope: The project worked with the Duke Scope: To provide 68 public areas within Scope: Providing a water pump for clean of Edinburgh’s Awards scheme to identify the city with waste incinerators, plus water, building a new well, and providing individuals and provide mediation training. training for over 10,000 young women. two toilets with hand washing facilities. Fun Fact: No club cash was needed for Fun Fact: A first in this type of project Fun fact: International partners came from this project since all sponsor funds came sponsored by Rotary and its Foundation, Scotland, England and France – the more from The Rotary Foundation’s District but which can now be replicated globally. partner clubs, the less financial burden on Designated Funds. Top Tip: You can easily meet up with any individual club. Top Tip: Remember, all of the nations international partners - volunteers from Top tip: Work on projects in phases. This within Rotary Great Britain and Ireland are both Rotary clubs met online via Zoom to phase was the second of three distinct, but treated as separate countries, so they can discuss their project and celebrate success. related projects, designed to improve the co-operate in global grants. lives of ordinary children in Malawi.

“Each of the villages with a nursery school “I feel the impact has been consistency and “The club was anxious to ensure that it was was given a nutrition garden, as well as being able to have a responsibility within responding to a genuine local need and not tomato, rapeseed, mustard plant and their local community by helping others simply imposing a project on a community pak choi seeds to grow food to supplement through their sectional awards and feeling that was not a priority for that community.” the children’s diet – any excess vegetable better about themselves through exercise and Rotarian Steve Jenkins production will be sold as a fundraising health and wellbeing within their Duke of exercise for the village.” Edinburgh’s Award.” Rotarian Duncan MacDonald Katie Nicol, Operations Manager, Read about more Rotary Foundation Muirhouse Youth Development Group projects on: www.rotarygbi.org

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ROTARY IN ACTION

Qantas has donated blankets to Rotary clubs worldwide Blanket coverage for the homeless Rotary clubs across London and the Home Counties have been handing out blankets and other unwanted items from the Australian airline, Qantas. Dave King finds out why.

E live in a fast-moving, which may have had a small blemish corporate world where or were slightly frayed, but which were image is everything, otherwise in good condition. when businesses tend Rotary Rockdale City, eight miles south to brand-change as of Sydney, was at the heart of the ‘There frequentlyW as football clubs sack managers. is Hope Blanket Project’ through Vinod But for Rotary clubs in both the UK Reddy, a volunteer with Qantas, and who and Australia, their work with the homeless now heads up the initiative. has benefited hugely thanks to rebranding He explained: “Each blanket is by one of the world’s leading airlines. sanitised and dry cleaned before being Last year, Australian airline Qantas picked up for storage, ready to be rehomed. decided it needed to ditch thousands of "The success is dependent on the blankets which it offers passengers on generosity and big-heartedness on short- and long-haul flights, and wanted to innumerable fronts, primarily from the direct them to a good cause. project’s altruistic sponsors.” Initially, these were on-board blankets, Along with helping the homeless

20 // ROTARY rotarygbi.org in Rockdale, the Australian project also focused on Fiji following the devastating Tropical Cyclone Winston. Fiji Airways carried thousands of blankets freight-free, with inland transport provided by a Fiji-based Rotary member, whose forwarding company delivered the blankets to a major divisional hospital for further distribution to rural hospitals ravaged by the cyclone. Internationally, blankets have also been distributed to Kolkata, Nepal, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka. But now Qantas, which is going through a rebranding process, has offered Rotary tens of thousands of soft furnishings including blankets, duvets, headrest covers, mattresses and other items, which are being picked up at Qantas hubs worldwide,  300,000 people are classed as homeless in the UK including London. Then in May, Qantas announced they achieved would have been a doddle. But we had more than 8,000 soft furnishings from didn’t have permanent storage, we didn’t business and economy class to distribute. have a fleet of vans, we were having to rely In addition they provided over 10,000 on Rotarians pulling together. items of crockery and cutlery, which were “I don’t know whether this will be a being replaced with lighter plates, knives, one-off. Maybe we might benefit from other “Each blanket is sanitised and forks and spoons, which would help the companies rebranding, and if that ever dry cleaned before being picked airline to save on fuel. proves to be the case, then we might have The kitchen gear is being directed to think about finding more permanent up for storage, ready to be towards night shelters, soup kitchens, storage facilities.” rehomed for the needy” rehousing projects and community café This project has exemplified the projects run by clubs in the region. international reach of Rotary. “It is a project which came out of the An introduction through Rotary blue,” admitted Mike. friends 10,000 miles apart has instigated “It was not one where someone had an a hands-on project with volunteers in 40 The homeless in the capital and home idea and we had to work on it. This was a Rotary clubs working together alongside 58 counties are benefiting. Mike Hodge, a case of ‘how can you make the idea work?’. local charities supporting those in need. l Rotary member in Barnet and husband of "My attitude always is ‘why not?’ and current Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland then I think about how.” President, Debbie, has been closely working A call went out again to clubs in on the UK end of the project with Tony London and the home counties who could FACT FILE Sharma, from Rotary Tower Hamlets and make use of the blankets and the other Himanshu Jain from Rotary Stratford. items. HOMELESSNESS In February, Tony, Himanshu and their It is ironic that at the height of the team were at Gatwick Airport collecting homeless project, the UK was experiencing • There are 4,447 rough sleepers 1,100 blankets, quilts and some baby one of the hottest summers in 42 years. across Great Britain equipment from Qantas’s first class section Further storage was found in Barking, • 300,000 people are classed as which were then transported from West Essex, in an industrial container owned by homeless in the UK Sussex to a Gurdwara in Forest Gate in a Rotary member. Such were the numbers, • The loss of a private tenancy is the east London. that some of the goods ended up in Mike single leading cause of homelessness From there, these items were and Debbie’s living room in Hertfordshire. distributed to 20 Rotary clubs in the capital However, by the time the blankets have • Councils spend a total of £1.15 billion who had links with homeless charities and reached the homeless charities, they will be on homelessness services every year night shelters. ready for when the colder nights set in. It was a major logistical exercise “It has been a challenge, but it has been involving initial transportation, storage and a great effort,” added Mike. To join Rotary visit: distribution. “For a logistics company, what we rotarygbi.org rotarygbi.org ROTARY // 21 ROTARY IN ACTION Rotary GBI President

Rotary GBI President Debbie Hodge Rotary changes lives

QUESTION often asked is: individuals bring into Rotary. If we So the virtuous circle of People doing ‘Why did you join Rotary?’ underestimate the value of those gifts, we Projects bringing Publicity continues. For me the answer underestimate the value of the individual. There is one vocational skill we all was very simple, I needed We then starve communities and have – the ability to see what is happening to know who the key individuals of creative solutions to their in our local community. Call it ‘nosiness’ or individualsA in the community were - the needs and problems, both locally and curiosity, but this is one aspect which is vital town council representatives, the trusted globally. in the work to end modern slavery. professional and trades folk - because of Utilising Rotarians’ skills and What do you notice in your my new job, my vocation, in the town as a knowledge in projects and events engages community, what makes you question what church minister. them in action. That action can then engage is happening, makes you uneasy about a At that time, I knew little of how my others who may not be in Rotary. situation? skills and knowledge could be used in It provides the platform for further These tiny bits of information are the Rotary, or what far reaching effects they engagement and the building of members building blocks to raising awareness and would have, along with the skills and who, in turn, will engage in more projects. identifying potential instances of modern knowledge of others in Rotary projects and slavery. programmes, both at home and overseas. It is in everyone’s back yard and at The first time my professional skills Conference: Showcase 2019 in Nottingham were used was when I was chosen to lead a “Utilising Rotarians’ skills and we will be looking at this issue, learning Group Study Exchange Team to Australia. how Rotary can play its part by creating I brought to that role my experience in knowledge in projects and events slave-free communities. l nursing education and working with groups engages them in action. That of students abroad, and my knowledge For more information visit: of Australia (I had shared in education action can then engage others www.rotarygbi.org/events/annual- programmes in Perth). showcase/ and www.ragas.online who may not be in Rotary” for details about the Rotary Action That trip changed my life and also the Group for Slavery. lives of the five team members who shared their skills and knowledge with colleagues in Australia. They brought home ideas and work practices which changed them as individuals, their working lives, plus the communities where they live and work. The most recent experience was in Soweto, Johannesburg, where my specialist skills as a chaplain and lecturer in spiritual care were called upon as part of a Global Grant Project taking palliative care into the community of the township. The impact of that work to individuals and their families is immense, as anyone in these islands will know if you have had loved ones cared for and enabled to die peacefully at home. The effect has gone wider now, with the model of care I developed being adopted in palliative care across South Africa. We must not neglect the gifts In South Africa, we partnered with the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital

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ROTARY IN ACTION Latest news Talk from the top… from the top of the Rotary tree

Barry Rassin Ron D. Burton Brian Stoyel Rotary President 2018/19 Trustee Chair 2018/19 RI Director 2017-19

A MODERN ROTARY ROTARY AND POLIO ALL IN A DAY'S WORK MAGINE if we could take a snapshot S a district governor, I attended the EATHER - a talking point which capturing all of the work Rotary does on a A 1988 Rotary International Convention Wnever pleases everyone but, as I Igiven day. in Philadelphia. There, I heard that there were write these jottings in August, the rain has No one – except Rotary members – an estimated 350,000 cases of polio in 125 returned. Where were those balmy sunny days would believe that a single organisation was countries. of summer? capable of accomplishing so much. In that But I also heard some exciting news; we In many countries recently, including snapshot you would see dedicated volunteers had surpassed our goal of raising USD$120 here in the UK, fires have broken out on working to eradicate polio, setting up million for the eradication of polio. We had moorland and in residential areas, followed by microloans, providing clean water, mentoring raised USD$219,350,449 and later, after the heavy rain and flash flooding. young people and countless other actions. accounting was done, that figure was revised All in a day’s work for many groups of We can do all this thanks both to our to USD$247 million. What a celebration we our Rotary members rallying at times of need. geographic reach and to the fact that our clubs had. We proved to ourselves, and to the world, Certainly, our pockets never seem empty when are made up of people who are engaged with the strength of Rotary and that we could take help is needed and donations can reach funds their communities. on a global health challenge. for specific emergencies by using our As a part of the community that you In the ensuing 30 years, we, along Rotary in Great Britain & Ireland (RIBI) serve, you know the needs, you have the with our partners – the World Health Donations Trust. connections and you’re able to take immediate Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease This is our expertise, to aid in the action. That’s why every Rotary club’s Control and Prevention, UNICEF, and the aftermath, once the media has moved onto membership should reflect the diversity of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – have the next human ordeal. its community. raised even more funds, organised National One can only appreciate and applaud the We’re also expanding the age diversity of Immunisation Days and advocated with generosity shown by supportive communities our clubs. In each of our communities, young world governments. worldwide. professionals are eager to contribute their Our goal has always been to keep our My reporting on Zones 17 & 18A to the talents, give back and learn from mentors. promise to give children a polio-free world Rotary International (RI) Board continues to Let’s share with them what Rotary is all about. and in 2017, there were only 22 cases. impress as RIBI President Denis Spiller - with The Engaging Younger Professionals We’ve done incredible work, but we know the Rotary2 initiative which has spawned 250 Toolkit at Rotary.org has an action plan to the job isn’t over. Once we reduce the number clubs, has handed the baton to Debbie Hodge, help you reach young leaders and Rotary of cases to zero and no viruses are detected in who aims to add a further 100 clubs. alumni in your area. the environment, we must wait for WHO to The new RIBI Executive structure is Another resource that can help us better certify the world officially polio-free. clicking into place and District representatives reflect our communities – one that is global That requires at least a three-year are busy preparing for their respective RI like us, is a quarter-million members strong, period without a single detection of the wild Council roles with Resolutions (November and already shares our values of service and poliovirus in a person or the environment. 2018) and Enactments (April 2019). leadership – is Rotaract. During those three years, we will still When partaking in the Council on Rotaractors are our partners; team up have to vaccinate children and ensure through Legislation (CoL) review committee, I see with them on projects, ask them to speak surveillance that the virus never regains a the global diversity and similarity of our at your events and invite them to join your foothold. membership looking for progressive change club. Dedicated Rotaractors worldwide are Rotary members have always been on the and nimbleness of operation. becoming members of Rotary and even front lines of this effort – we still are. So, what At the July Board meeting, President starting new Rotary clubs while still serving can you do? Tell everyone you know about Barry asked where will we be in five years’ as members of Rotaract. Rotary and polio. Make a donation. Update time? Together with three Board colleagues The world needs Rotary, and Rotary your club and explore how together you could I was tasked, as Chairman of the RI Board needs strong clubs and engaged members in participate directly in the fight. Executive Committee, to appraise the order to do more good. It is our responsibility On October 24th, we’ll celebrate the 30th discussion topics. – yours and mine – to make sure everyone anniversary of the Global Polio Eradication As you can imagine many old chestnuts who shows an interest in joining Rotary gets Initiative’s formation at our sixth annual arose - diversity of membership, value an invitation. World Polio Day event, in Philadelphia, the for money, formality, Rotaract, Institutes, Make use of the Membership Leads tool city where it all started. Conferences, RI President representatives to at Rotary.org, which helps people who are Host a World Polio Day fundraiser District conferences and committee structure. interested in joining Rotary to connect with or watch party, and tell us about it at Your Board is determined to propose a club that’s right for them. Let’s not keep endpolio.org/promote-your-event. For more change - the talking must stop, action is Rotary’s story, the story captured in those inspiration, check out endpolio.org. required! l snapshots of service, to ourselves. l I need your help. I’m depending on you to help us keep our promise. l

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ROTARY IN ACTION Phil Bennett Land of my fathers

Phil Bennett is regarded as one of the greatest rugby players of all time. Earlier this year, the Welshman spoke at the Rotary conference in Torquay. Dave King tackled him on rugby and his charity work.

ENTION the name Phil absolutely berserk. The rest of the game was Bennett, and for rugby like Wales playing at home.” fans the world over Now, 45 years later, there’s no there is one moment mistaking one of the greatest rugby players which encapsulates the of all time, who won 29 Wales caps and Msilky skills of this enigmatic Welsh twice toured with the British & Irish Lions. fly-half. Phil, who turns 70 this year, is still It was the Barbarians closely connected with the sport, as against the mighty All president of the regional side Scarlets and Blacks at Cardiff Arms with his media work. Once a week, he even Park in 1973 when Phil has a gentle rugby run-out with his pals. fielded a long kick just five “Yes, of course I miss the game,” he metres from the Babas’ admitted. “As a sportsman, when you have try line. played at a decent level, playing is the “Brilliant,” screamed greatest enjoyment you can ever have. the BBC commentator, Cliff "It’s just fantastic. Morgan, as Phil side-stepped “What I always enjoyed is that you twice to evade four All Black players, shake hands with your opposite number, before JPR Williams, John Pullin, John have a couple of beers, and then mix with Dawes, Tom David and then Derek your family and friends. Quinnell set up Gareth Edwards, who "So I do miss it, but I have been very spectacularly dived over into the corner for lucky working for the BBC which has kept one of the most iconic tries of all time. me in touch with the game.” “If I’d have been playing for Wales, But if there is any hint of regret or envy I’d probably have kicked the ball into the at today’s rugby rich kids, Phil is having stands,” admitted Phil, as he reflected on none of it. the amazing match. “The crowd went Stock image

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Standing at 5ft 7in tall, and tipping the support causes, charities and individuals “So many people have told us how we scales at 11 stone in his pomp, 21st century across West Wales. have changed their lives, or someone you rugby is a different world and a different Following the death of one of Wales’ know. game. Current Wales fly-half, Dan Biggar, most loved and colourful personalities, The "We visited the cancer unit at is 6ft 1in and weighs 14.5 stone and is Ray Gravell & Friends Charitable Trust was Llanelli Hospital to hand over some new reported to be earning £650,000 a season. established, with Phil one of the trustees equipment, and those kinds of things make “I couldn’t have played the modern and a driving force. you feel so good. game today the size I was,” admitted Phil. Over the past decade, the Trust has “So I am sure ‘Grav’ up there would “Rugby is so brutal these days. The big raised £1 million for those good causes, be looking down at us with a large whisky guys are built up in the gyms to play a through fundraising events, donations, and and having a laugh saying: ‘Look at them physical game. 70 patrons giving £1,000 every year. working hard on my behalf’. “I am one of these people who believes “We have really worked hard and it has "But it has been total satisfaction for you are born in the era you that are due to been magnificent,” added Phil. me and I am so proud we have raised that play. Good luck to the boys who are earning “Sometimes, when we are working late £1 million.” l good money. That’s their good luck. at meetings and you are tired, you wonder "I didn’t earn any money out of the what the heck you are doing. game, but that’s the way it goes. “But then, when we give a cheque to “I remember one of the great boxers a hospital, and you see some of the little from the Valleys. Howard Winston, told me kiddies and the patients, you realise how it FACT FILE how not long before he fought for the world is well worth it. championship in the 1960s he used to get PHIL BENNETT paid about £500 a fight. • Phil Bennett won 29 international “So that is a different world. It is the caps for Wales between 1969 and 1978 world I was brought up in, it is the world I enjoyed. I loved the game, I was lucky I saw • Phil became the first Welsh the world and I’ve got no complaints.” replacement in international rugby, making his debut against France, aged One of Phil’s other passions is his 20, replacing Gerald Davies charity work and honouring his great friend, Ray Gravell, a tough-tackling centre, • Phil was a member of the British who won 23 Wales caps. Lions victorious tour to South Africa In 2000, Ray was diagnosed with in 1974, scoring in all four tests diabetes, and those remaining years before • In 2005, Phil was admitted into the his death in October 2007 were ravaged by International Rugby Hall of Fame illness. Ray, Phil and another Scarlets, Wales and British Lions legend, Derek Quinnell For more information visit: set up the ‘Three Lions Charitable Trust’ to Rugby legend, Phil Bennett www.grav13.cymru

rotarygbi.org ROTARY // 27 ROTARY IN ACTION Lesley Sulley

Equality in motion for Rotary Rotary has been open to women for 35 years, yet for many, Rotary is seen traditionally as a male dominated organisation. The Colchester Gazette recently published this article focusing on how District Governor, Lesley Sulley, is breaking the male-only perception.

ALE, pale, frail and stale Rotary for 35 years. I am challenged the best thing that has happened.” – the words Lesley Sulley regularly and, interestingly, my husband is Lesley, from Braiswick on the outskirts uses when she explains challenged on it too. of Colchester, joined one of the town’s four what she thinks is the “It is male Rotarians and sometimes Rotary clubs, Colchester Centurion, ten perception of a typical their wives. They have said things to me years ago. MRotary member. like: ‘We were happy, our husbands were She is the second woman to hold a Describing herself as lively and vibrant, going out on a week night, now women are role for an area which spans Essex, east Lesley, 65, is clearly at pains to distance spoiling it’.” Hertfordshire and east London. herself from the unflattering and rather But Lesley adds: “It is only the tiniest In total, there are 63 clubs in the dated description. minority and our biggest defenders are district, seven of which don’t have any First and foremost, she’s female. male. women members. And while in 2018 that shouldn’t make “People in general are frightened of Across Great Britain and Ireland, a difference, Lesley, this year’s District change. It doesn’t mean once they get over women make up just 17% of the Governor for her area, says it has. the hiccup that they don’t approve. membership. “Women have been accepted into “Most clubs will say women joining is

“Most clubs will say women joining is the best thing that has happened”

Evidently, the organisation clearly has some catching up to do after being around for 113 years. Lesley’s club was founded by Christine Beedle 18 years ago - the first in Colchester to be open to men and women. The other three clubs in her area have followed suit. So, what have the new members brought to Rotary? “Diversity,” says Lesley. “It has just moved with the times.” She adds: “What they say to me is that I am a breath of fresh air.” Lesley’s successor will be a woman, Pauline Dean, also from the Colchester Centurion Rotary. l

To join Rotary visit: Lesley Sulley handing out finishing medals at the Foulness Bike Ride rotarygbi.org

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ROTARY IN ACTION Peace Award

MOLLY YOUD Smartphone doctor wins Rotary Peace Award

Dr Waheed Arian has been instrumental in using modern technology to bring modern medicine to some of the world's most inaccessibe places. As a result, he is one of two winners of this year's Rotary Peace Award.

ind ophie L say & E ©S ag le N VERY year since 1947, es Intervention Team as a sexual health t P h Llangollen has staged one of o worker from 2004 to 2014, tasked with to g r a identifying young people who were the world’s most inspirational p h cultural festivals. y vulnerable to child sex exploitation. Around 4,000 performers However, she became disillusioned Eand as many as 50,000 visitors converge when under-age girls, who made claims of on this beautiful small Welsh town for the abuse by grown men, were being dismissed International Eisteddfod to sing and dance by the authorities as child prostitutes. in a unique combination of competition, She became a key whistleblower performance as well as international peace which led to the conviction of nine men for and friendship. sex trafficking and other offences involving It is here on the banks of the salmon- 47 girls. rich River Dee, in the shadow of the In 2012 she told an MP-led inquiry: beautiful Berwyn mountains, that the “We were making referrals from 2004, very Rotary Peace Award is presented. explicit referrals, referrals which absolutely This summer, one of the winners was Dr Waheed Arian collecting highlighted for protective services that Dr Waheed Arian, who was honoured for his International Eisteddfod award young people were incredibly vulnerable. providing medical assistance through the “It was unfortunate that it was internet to doctors working in war-torn about attitudes towards teenagers. It was countries. award. It is a huge honour for all of us but absolute disrespect that vulnerable young When he arrived in the UK from also a huge responsibility. people did not have a voice. Afghanistan as a 15-year-old, Dr Arian “The award recognises how we bring “They were overlooked. They were spoke very little English, had less than together communities in the neutral discriminated against. They were treated £100 in his pocket, and was told he would context of healthcare and education. We appallingly by protective services. probably become a taxi driver. go to areas where, in person, it would “I told everybody these children were Winning the award prompted an not be usually possible. For example, to being abused. As far as I’m concerned, I appearance on BBC Breakfast TV where remote areas in Afghanistan, to Syria, and told everybody.” he revealed that his idea was a simple Uganda, and they talk to each other.” This year’s winners were chosen by one which was free and united people via The project began in Afghanistan in leading Rotary peace advocates, Jean Best technology so that expertise can be shared. 2015. Doctors can respond within four and Dick Hazlehurst. Terry Waite, who “We have volunteers from the NHS hours to requests for medical advice, for is an honorary Rotary member and who and across the globe who use smartphones what is being dubbed live tele-medicine. was held hostage for nearly five years in and social media to give critical, life-saving The other award winner at the Beirut while a member of the Archbishop advice to medics in conflict zones.” said Dr Llangollen International Eisteddfod was of Canterbury’s private staff, is president of Arian, who works at Aintree Hospital in Sara Rowbotham, for her work in bringing the Eisteddford. Liverpool. peace to the victims of the Rochdale sex The Rotary awards are the brainchild “I was so surprised when I received abuse scandal. of Molly Youd from Wrexham Yale Rotary, the email to tell me I had won this Rotary Sara worked for the Rochdale Crisis who garnered the support of Rotary

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Doctors can respond within four hours to requests for medical advice, for what is being dubbed live tele-medicine

in North Wales and the Board at the “In these troubled times, it is more Llangollen Eisteddfod. important than ever that we recognise the “We have volunteers from the She was inspired four years ago when work that goes on to promote peace and witnessing Russian and Ukrainian dancers international understanding in any way,” NHS and across the globe who swapping partners to dance with each she added. other whilst, back home, their countries “The partnership between Llangollen use smartphones and social were at war. International Musical Eisteddfod and media to give critical, life- “It was a very poignant moment,” Rotary here in Wales is just one example of recalled Molly. “I felt then that we as how we can all work together for a better saving advice to medics in Rotary should be doing something to world. conflict zones” recognise this.” “We are born into this world with no The first award in 2016 was given to hate and no prejudice. the Eisteddfod for 70 years of promoting "These are things which are learned peace and international understanding and so can be changed by example. What through song and dance. better way than in song and dance and The following year, the charity recognising the work of those who give so Médecins Sans Frontières won for their much to help others in need.” l témoignage project with refugees and the national winner in 2017 was the British Ironworks based in Shropshire for If you would like to nominate a person or organisation for next year’s Rotary their ‘Save a Life, Surrender Your Knife’ Peace Award, send details to Molly Youd at [email protected] and campaign. include reasons why you think they should be nominated, together with any Molly pointed out that peace is one links to support the recommendation. The closing date is March 31st, 2019. of Rotary International’s areas of focus: international-eisteddfod.co.uk rotarygbi.org ROTARY // 31 ROTARY IN ACTION Think differently It’s time to #ThinkDifferently

As Rotary looks at ways of stemming the decline in membership, so ‘Think Differently’ has challenged the ways we view the organisation. Rotarians Irene Russell (Warrington) and Phil Dyer (Prescot), who have been instrumental behind the concept, explain how.

ICTURE the scene at the AJ Bell Stadium in Salford in March earlier this year. It was March 2nd, 2018, the coldest day of the year when the Beast from the PEast was howling. But this was the day when Think Differently was hatched. More than 200 Rotarians had gathered for what was being promoted as a joint public image and membership seminar, featuring speakers discussing change management and success stories of club innovation. But that was only the half of it! Those who braved the Arctic conditions did so because they wanted to discuss how to do Rotary differently in their town. Everything was themed black and white - all within brand guidelines, of course, - as facilitators wore black polo Keynote Speaker Jonathan Miller shirts with ‘Think Differently’ emblazoned on the front and ‘I do’ on the back. her organisation, and what she and her The key speaker was change teams have had to do to keep the charity’s management consultant, Jonathan approach fresh and dynamic. Miller, who assists commercial and We had speakers talk about satellite charitable organisations to orchestrate groups, flexible clubs and e-clubs. change and make strategic shifts in their And in the break-out sessions, every way of thinking. Incidentally, Jonathan aspect of Rotary was discussed with ideas in was President of Rotary Kenilworth, abundance. Warwickshire, from 2017-18. Suddenly Rotarians were getting Think Jonathan was thought-provoking Differently – a post seminar survey revealed and controversial, who questioned every that 79% of respondents reckoned the event boundary and obstacle which was thrown had made them think about the future his way - the audience were blown away of Rotary in their clubs, and a staggering with his audacity. 87% insisted they would discuss Think Gill Bainbridge from the Merseyside Differently at their club. Youth Association opened her session with So what was this all about? Well, a video of David Bowie’s 'Changes'. Soon, the idea originally was to hold a district heads were up and everyone was engaged. membership seminar to talk about new, Gill spoke about the continual reform of flexible ways of doing Rotary.

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Martin Judd from Rotary Manchester Trailblazers and Richard Cooper, from Rotary Bolton Lever, in discussion at last March's Salford seminar

As discussions unfolded, it became larger volunteer base and, in turn, enhance clear that it needed to be more than telling “Those who braved the Arctic the offering to potential volunteers. Rotarians you don’t have to attend meetings • Large scale projects: encouragement of every week, or meet at different times, or conditions did so because large scale projects and working together even relinquish the evening meal. they wanted to discuss how with other Rotary clubs and external We wanted a cultural change in the partners. An example is the Rise Against district, and we wanted club Rotarians to do Rotary differently in Hunger meal packing events recently held to see the benefits of thinking differently by a number of Rotary districts. about Rotary for themselves. their town” The catalyst for the event was the • Other volunteer models: look towards successful application of a Membership encouraged to offer flexible packages to new other volunteer sector models as good Development Grant through Rotary in members; less traditional, more inclusive examples of what can be done to attract Great Britain & Ireland which allowed us to and participatory - flexible clubs, e-clubs volunteers and how service organisations think of a bigger event. and satellite clubs. can be made to flourish and survive. Of course, Rotary 2 has been running Think Differently takes it beyond that For example, the Merseyside Youth successfully over the past year, creating framework and makes quite a few bold Association and the National Trust. around 200 new clubs, and promoting statements. flexible ways of doing Rotary. • Language: we are suggesting that Rotarians should think about how Rotary 2 is the framework change and use of the words membership and Rotary is perceived in their town and the mechanism which allows clubs to make members are replaced with volunteers impact it is having. changes. Think Differently is the cultural and volunteer engagement. We suggest Think, is your club inclusive and change process; changes to individual and that the formal language used in much participatory? Does it meet the needs of the district thought processes. Both concepts sit of our correspondence and in meetings community, either at home or abroad? alongside one another, and both will help to is replaced with more current business By changing a few simple traditions, ensure the longevity and vibrancy of Rotary. language. this can positively impact the way Rotarians need to critically assess the volunteers, potential members and future of Rotary in their town. They need • Project driven: we suggest the prime stakeholders view Rotary in the community. to determine whether they are positively motivator to attract new volunteers is If Think Differently succeeds, it could enhancing the image of Rotary and future- to offer projects, not just fund-raising completely change the trajectory of Rotary proofing the organisation. By adopting schemes. These are local and international in the UK. l some of the cultural changes which Think projects which will attract future Differently proposes, Rotary will be volunteers. This is in stark contrast To find out more, contact: revitalised and continue to thrive. to a membership drive as the primary [email protected] In line with Rotary 2, clubs are function. We believe projects will attract a [email protected] rotarygbi.org ROTARY // 33 Reception desks are perfect places to install a hearing loop Are you listening Salford?

IVE Rotary clubs in Salford Whilst undergoing training, local have joined forces to work on a volunteer and resident, Bernard Lea, collaborative community project “It has been estimated that discovered his own hearing aid was not called Let’s Hear Salford to help more than 75% of installed fitted with the necessary ‘T’ switch. residents with hearing loss. loops are not working Bernard, who is a former Salford FAccording to the project’s organisers, City Mayor, is now enjoying a whole new it is probable that at least 50,000 Salford throughout the UK and at hearing experience after the NHS quickly residents using hearing aids could benefit many locations the staff have made a small modification. from the correct use of induction loops in Recently, Rotary member Mike Collier, stores, chemists, churches, public buildings no idea how to use them” the leader of Let’s Hear Salford project, and many more places. started a dialogue with Co-op Headquarters It has been estimated that more than with the aim of improving their store 75% of installed loops are not working facilities for those with hearing loss. throughout the UK and at many locations Foundation Trust, Salford City Council and Mike said: “I have had a really the staff have no idea how to use them. Salford Clinical Commissioning Group. enthusiastic response from senior A hearing loop is a special type of Following a local advertising campaign, management in Manchester with a view to sound system for use by people wearing using social media and networking events, rolling out a Co-op checklist for induction hearing aids. It emits a magnetic, wireless volunteers came forward to start checking loops in stores, throughout the UK.” signal that is picked up when the aid is set induction loop installations. Let’s Hear Salford is one of several Let’s to the Telecoil option. The Let’s Hear Salford Steering group Hear groups which have been established When activated at a venue where there is made up of Rotary members, the public, in the UK by the charity Hearing Link, a is a loop, it cuts out the clutter of outside and some Inner Wheel representatives with number of them directly involving Rotary noise providing a clearer conversation. a real desire to help those with hearing loss clubs. l The project launch in Salford earlier in their community. this summer was a huge success, supported Volunteers received training to carry by NHS Audiology Salford, national out loop checks with special hand-held charities Hearing Link and Action on testers and ask a series of five questions For more information visit: Hearing Loss, as well as the Salford Royal about the installations. www.hearinglink.org

34 // ROTARY rotarygbi.org

ROTARY IN ACTION Special feature

An artist's impression of how the finished bus may look All aboard the Rotary Shelter Bus! It is a novel approach addressing the growing problem of homelessness. Get hold of a double decker bus, convert it, and create a mobile shelter. Rodney Howell reports how this Rotary-led project is working in Birmingham.

HE sight of folk sleeping visible end of homelessness, it is estimated rough in the streets of our that more than 60% of those who are towns and cities is becoming homeless do not show up in official figures. more commonplace. This is especially true for single people More than 300,000 who hold down a job but, for a variety of Tpeople in Britain – equivalent to one reasons, have no home of their own. in every 200 – are officially recorded as The plight of the homelessness in homeless or living in inadequate homes, the heart of England’s second city has according to figures released by the prompted Birmingham Breakfast Rotary to charity Shelter. try to make a difference in a unique way – Using official government data a mobile hostel using a bus! and freedom of information returns The original idea was to set up a hostel from local authorities, it estimates that but, when it was realised that the point of 307,000 people are sleeping rough, or need could move around the city, it was accommodated in temporary housing, decided that a suitably equipped bus could bed and breakfast rooms or hostels. be much more effective. Although rough sleepers are the more So, in January 2017 plans for the first

36 // ROTARY rotarygbi.org Rotary Shelter Bus began, featuring a team led by Rotaractor, Luca Buratti - son of Birmingham Breakfast member, Angelo Buratti - and including District Governor, Gary Dancer. National Express West Midlands donated the club a double decker bus. Now the plan is to strip all its seats and fixtures, before being converted into an overnight shelter with 10 sleeping pods, a kitchen, a consultation room, two shower/ toilet facilities and a dining area. The refurbishment will be carried out in Sheffield at a cost of around £37,000. This will be met by an online fund-raising website, a grant from The Rotary Foundation and sponsorship. Clubs, businesses and individuals can sponsor a pod, with a plaque recognising their gift Luca Buratti with the donated National Express West Midlands bus placed outside the bus. One of the project’s trustees, Courtney Patrick, revealed that work would soon get is more than just a place to lay your head. Shelter Buses on the road. Courtney under way. She said: “The bus has not yet It’s a home, albeit temporary. revealed that as word has got out, they have been converted as we are still fund-raising The hope is that the Rotary Shelter Bus already been contacted by other Rotary at this point. We will not be converting the will be on the road later this year. The not- clubs in their district, as well as from bus until the partnership with the local for-profit’s trustees are currently reaching London and Lancashire. council and a charity partner is formally out to local authorities and homeless She added: “Our vision is that there established. charities across Greater Birmingham to will be Rotary Shelter Buses all over the build partnerships to manage the shelter. UK, helping to alleviate the rough sleeping “Once the bus is converted through problem nationwide. the funding received, the trustees will hand “Homelessness and rough sleeping isn't “Our vision is that there the bus over to our charity/council partner,” just affecting Birmingham, it's a societal will be Rotary Shelter Buses added Courtney. issue everywhere in the UK. “They will be responsible for the day- “Once we get this pilot launched, we'll all over the UK, helping to to-day operations and management of care hit the ground running sourcing additional alleviate the rough sleeping of the bus, including driving the bus to the buses and promoting the concept locations. throughout the UK.” l problem nationwide” “The Rotary Shelter Bus team will assist with continuous fund-raising and agreeing corporate advertising sponsorships “This partnership is an integral part of to support the costs incurred, as well as FACT FILE the business model, and we want to ensure supporting the charity partner with any that all donor funds are being utilised in the other concerns. SHELTER BUS right part of the project. “It's vital that we hand over the • The Rotary Shelter Bus will be free “The bus is currently being stored care and safeguarding of boarders to to all potential guests with one of the trustees and is ready professionals that are qualified to give the • In addition to accommodation, every to be converted upon signing formal highest standard of care.” visitor will be provided with a hot documentation.” Every day, the Rotary Shelter Bus will meal, shower facilities, as well as The initiative has already attracted travel across Greater Birmingham, ensuring an initial consultation to determine the interest of Thierry Dufour, Managing all areas of the community are served. necessary care resources Director of Jewson, who said: “Converting The Rotary Shelter Bus will be free to a bus into a mobile homeless shelter for all potential guests. • Every day, the Rotary Shelter Bus will travel across Greater Birmingham, rough sleepers is an amazing idea and it is In addition to accommodation, ensuring all areas of the community something I would like to follow up and get every visitor will be provided with a hot are served involved with.” meal, shower facilities, as well as an initial A further £13,000 is needed for soft consultation to determine necessary care furnishings as well as insurance and other resources. To join Rotary visit: overheads, because the Rotary Shelter Bus This could be the first of many Rotary rotarygbi.org rotarygbi.org ROTARY // 37 ROTARY IN ACTION Special feature

LATEST NEWS FROM AROUND GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND

HOT TECHNOLOGY ODERN technology in So, with the local members of Rotary schools is great when it’s on board and support from the Brighton & working, but in hot and dusty Hove Soiree Rotary Club, the Kio Kits were environments it can be a big purchased for US $5,000 (£3,750). Mchallenge. The tablets were received with huge Rotary Zanzibar in Stone Town had delight at Unguja Ukuu Primary School seen plenty of problems with technology, where, unsurprisingly, it took the students particularly second hand laptops which much less time than the teachers to work struggle in the heat, dust and salty out the potential of the system! humidity. Ann Dieckmann, from the Brighton She explained: “As teaching skills are So when visiting British Rotary club, explained that in Zanzibar, like much limited, the children really appreciate the members suggested Kio Kit/BRCK of Africa, rote-learning is the norm, so opportunity to take control of their own technology which was designed in immersive, interactive learning is quite a learning. neighbouring Kenya for use in challenging significant departure. “The digital classroom changes the environments, the African Rotary members The content, developed in Kenya, in model of the students relying on the were intrigued. delivered in either English or Swahili and is teachers for information, which is often The Kio Kit consists of a set of 40 perfect for East African primary schools. poorly expressed and poorly researched. resilient tablets which can survive being It includes stories, comprehension “At last they can see, in glorious dropped from a height of 70cm. They live in exercises, interactive language learning, colour, illustrations of what they previously a robust flight case and all the tablets are reference materials and games which only saw in black and white on a chalk charged simultaneously. teach numeracy and thinking skills. board.”

“At last they can see, in glorious colour, illustrations of what they previously only saw in black and white on a chalk board”

In the two years since the system was purchased, the school has had many visitors from local non-governmental organisations and the Zanzibar Ministry of Education and Vocational Training to assess its potential. As a result, other kits are now working in Zanzibar and neighbouring Pemba Island. The local Rotary club worked with an American club to fund a second Kio Kit for the Zanzibar Learning 4 Life Foundation, an afterschool club in another resource-

©Richard Harris poor part of the island. • 38 // ROTARY rotarygbi.org RACHEL EARNED IT! DOGGED FUNDRAISING OTARY Rushen & Western Mann has continued its traditions of helping good causes on the Isle of Man Rthrough its fund-raising activities. The club donated £3,600 to the island branch of Guide Dogs for the Blind to fund a guide dog which will have a Manx-themed name. The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is a charity which does so much work other than providing mobility and freedom to blind and partially sighted people. Their work also includes campaigning for the rights of people with visual impairment and funding eye disease research. Jane Shutt, Secretary of Guide LYMPTON Rotary were Instead of attending just one or two Dogs for the Blind (Isle of Man) received approached by Rachel Miller, events, Plympton Rotary has seen Rachel the cheque from Past Club President, one of the Plymouth Albion help out at the planting of crocuses for Paul Winnell. Ladies Rugby Club's stars, seeking the Purple4Polio campaign, several nights The Isle of Man Foodbank was individual player sponsorship to help with of the club’s Christmas collections and P presented with 10 slow cookers by the kit costs, insurance and match fees. helping at a supermarket bag. Rotary club. Rather than just give Rachel £200, the She has attended several club A Manx registered charity founded club took a slightly different approach and meetings and been an ambassador for in 2013, it was instigated by Rotarians agreed to the sponsorship on the proviso Plympton Rotary by wearing the club logo from Douglas. The foodbank now has that Rachel ‘earned it’ by helping or rather on her Albion training kit. its office and operation in Cronkbourne. volunteering at a few club events. Because of these behind the scenes Foodbank Managing Director, Rachel, a second row forward, is no activities, Rachel was presented with the Neal Mellon, said: “Times are hard, stranger to Rotary as her grandfather was a Albion Ladies’ ‘Club Woman of the many people are just about managing, member of Rotary in Wiltshire. Year’ award. • so when a crisis occurs such as redundancy, illness or possibly a domestic situation, everything becomes FROM CRADLE TO THE WATER impossible to manage. ”That’s why Foodbank exists. OTSWOLD Tyndale Rotary has his charity mission to raise the money We provide emergency food and, in raised £8,000 for the Sharpness required for the launch cradle. many cases, help clients to identify Lifeboat replacement fund. Geoff Dawe, Lifeboat Operations and resolve underlying problems Sharpness is one of the most Manager, at Sharpness Lifeboat Station by advising them of other support Cinland ports in Britain, serving as a gateway reckoned that the generosity of Rotarians organisations such as The Salvation from the River Severn to the Gloucester & had put the final piece of the project in Army, Debt Management, Social Sharpness Canal. place. Services and Housing Matters, in a bid The new Sharpness lifeboat, costing He said: “Raising sufficient funds, on to get them back to independence.” £128,000, will replace the current aging top of the build cost of the lifeboat and • vessel, which will be taken out of service funds required to extend the lifeboat later this year. station to accommodate the new lifeboat, THE CLUB However, the bespoke, state-of-the-art was extremely worrying. It could have put lifeboat, will also require its own dedicated the project on hold. DONATED cradle to be directly launched into the “The new lifeboat station will serve as Severn from the Keystone Slipway. a front line life-saving facility for those who £3,600 Past President of Cotswold Tyndale find their lives in danger on the waters of Rotary, Derek Aston, decided to make it the renowned tidal Severn.”• rotarygbi.org ROTARY // 39 ALL’S GREEN AYOOLA REMEMBERS AT THE HOSPICE HOMELESSNESS OTARY Ashby has provided the charity Hospice Hope with essential equipment for the garden at Hope RHouse in Griffydam, Leicestershire. The donation includes a sit- on lawnmower, a fully equipped greenhouse and a garden seat. Money has also been provided for seeds and plants, for weeding and the services of a tree surgeon. In total, £4,500 was provided, with £2,500 raised by a Rotary golf day at Willesley Park Golf Club and £2,000 match-funding from a Rotary District 1070 Foundation Grant. Hope House opened in April 2017 for people in North-West Leicestershire with life-limiting conditions. It is open two days a week and has up to eight guests attending each day, supported by volunteers. While there were facilities for guests’ use, there was little in the garden to occupy their time. That’s why a greenhouse was OUR years ago, Ayoola “The trauma of my family's potential introduced for guests to be creative Adeyanju’s family of four came fate would not go away for a long time,” with plant growing and provide fresh uncomfortably close to being he said. “Thinking about it right now still salad for the kitchen. homeless. makes me shiver because I can imagine Stewart Shepherd, Chairman of FThe landlord of a rented Manchester the despondency, depression and suffering Hospice Hope, thanked Bob Ferguson, apartment, which he was moving into, among folks who have to sleep rough on Ashby Rotary’s Foundation Officer for was facing a repossession order – leaving the streets. Rotary’s support. He said ‘The project Ayoola, his wife and two young sons stuck that Rotary promised is now complete between properties with nowhere to live. and it has been a delight to work with Months of bouncing between the you and see the outstanding success of local authority, Shelter and rodent-infected “The trauma of my each part. temporary accommodation left its mark on family's potential fate ‘The guests at Hope House love the family. would not go away for the well-manicured lawn and will start Which is why Ayoola – now a to use the greenhouse very soon. They member of the Rotary Club of Manchester a long time” also have a beautiful seat from which Trailblazers and professional multi-media they can watch the prolific wildlife in artist - pledged a percentage of profits, the garden.”• from his first solo exhibition of work to “At least we had a mould-covered Manchester’s Booth Centre. place to live that was unbelievably infested Thirty original works went on a three- with creatures that would drag large food day display this summer in the Ulster items from the kitchen into the living room, Gallery at the Irish World Heritage Centre bite large chunks out and then disappear. in Cheetham Hill. Those experiences alone shaped my Ayoola’s art college degree in Lagos, decision to support the homeless.” Nigeria, earned him a directorship with an That has included joining Manchester advertising company before he moved to Trailblazers Rotary Club which is a long- Manchester in 2007 to continue his studies. time supporter of the Booth Centre - a That was when his own close shave Manchester based local charity that looks with homelessness left a scar. after the interests of homeless people.• 40 // ROTARY rotarygbi.org rotarygbi.org ROTARY // 41 MILK FLOAT FORTUNE

TOP OF THE CLASS HEY’RE a clever lot in the Lake District, which was highlighted by Rotary OTARY clubs have become will travel the locality playing traditional Ambleside’s highly renowned for being inventive, Christmas music, accompanied by Father successful Quiz Kids’ grand final. but Aldershot Rotary has really Christmas.” T shown its colours after their The purchase of the float was made Rotary members visited a number of Cumbrian schools for the first round, Rageing Christmas float finally hit the end of possible by a generous grant from with the top two teams from each the road. the Farnborough Airport Community school going into the final. The North Hampshire club is this year Environmental Fund following an Two teams of four Year 5 and celebrating its 90th birthday. application led by Rotarian Geoff Clark. Year 6 children aged between 10 and Each December, for the last 60 Rotarians Keith Harding and Ray 11-years-old then represented each of years, the Rotarians have been collecting Newman sourced and completed the the four schools for this fifth year of the around the streets of Aldershot with purchase of the float which is currently competition. their Christmas float, escorted by Father undergoing conversion for this Christmas’ In fact, all four schools were Christmas. collections. winners as Ambleside Rotary donated Local charities and community groups Club President, Malcolm Bellwood, cheques for each school’s chosen have benefitted to the tune of tens of said, “We are delighted that we have been charity. thousands of pounds. given the opportunity to carry on the Langdale School emerged as However, this year, the Aldershot legacy of Rotary in Aldershot by continuing winners receiving a £400 cheque for club hit a problem. Rotarian Betty McClure to collect funds for local charities during UNICEF, Hawkshead School picked up explained: “Unfortunately our float was no the Christmas period. £200 for the WWF, while Ambleside longer suitable for travelling around the “Additionally, by changing to an and Grasmere schools each received heavily congested streets of Aldershot. So electric vehicle, we are reducing our £100 for the Kinamba Village Nursery in a decision was made to replace it with an carbon footprint which is a very progressive Rwanda and Macmillan Cancer Support environmentally-friendly electric milk float. initiative.” • respectively. “The float will be decorated with • an eye-catching Christmas tableau and

TIME FOR TEA, ANYONE? AST President of Rotary Carlisle, Nicki Quayle, loves to experience new challenges, but jumping out of a plane proved a little scary. All in aid of charity, Nicki chose to jump from Flookburgh in South Cumbria with Skydive NorthWest on a beautiful summer’s day. PWith magnificent views of Morecambe Bay and the Lake District, Nicki floated to the ground to be greeted by a strong cup of tea, content in the knowledge that over £3,000 had been raised for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, Blood Bikes, Hospice at Home, and Life Education.•

42 // ROTARY rotarygbi.org rotarygbi.org ROTARY // 43 MILLION MAGICAL MATHS POUND FUND RAISERS HE Paul Harris Fellowship Award is one of the highest honours Rotary can bestow on a person. TRecipients are members of Rotary and community professionals, recognising their outstanding contributions to the community, exemplifying the highest ideal in Rotary in placing service above self. Rotary Carlisle South has identified Colin and Margaret Wadsworth for their work raising funds for The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. In 2006, the two Royal British Legion Branches in Carlisle HERE’S something magical about Organised by Rotary Maidenhead amalgamated to form the Carlisle and maths which was discovered by Thames, All Saints Church of England Stanwix Branch, with Colin taking on 20 Berkshire schools who took Primary School won the competition, with the role of appeal organiser, and wife part in the Rotary Mathemagical the awards presented by the then Mayor Margaret did the administration. TCompetition. John Lenton and Mayoress, Margaret Supported by Legion Members and Year 4 schoolchildren from the Royal Lenton. • volunteers, including members of local Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead took Rotary clubs, the Poppy Appeal funds part in the challenging event, drawn from soared from a previous total of £38,000 20 schools. in the first year, with last year the fund topping £106,000. In 12 years, thanks to the driving force of the Wadsworths, they have BAND ON THE RUN! raised £922,296. For their dedication and hard work in raising close on £1 million, the couple were presented with their Paul Harris Fellowships. •

N a parody of the Beatles’ Abbey assistance of Ledbury Rotary Club and the Road album cover, Ledbury Brass One Stop Shop. Band crossed the road carrying their “Thank you to the vehicles’ drivers who musical instruments. waited patiently for a few extra seconds IThe photo, taken by Jan Long in whilst the photographs were taken,” said Herefordshire, was an opportunity for Jan. “Ledbury should be absolutely proud the band to show off their splendid new of it brass band, which is seen and heard at uniforms purchased with the financial all our town events and activities. • 44 // ROTARY rotarygbi.org END IN SIGHT FOR NEW CLUB, SCHOOL PROJECT NEW ROTARY HERE have been 250 new- style Rotary clubs which have come to fruition over the past 12 months, Toffering a flexible and project-driven experience. Among them is the South Cheshire Rotary Business Networking Club, which was set up this summer in quick- fire fashion. Established under the umbrella of Rotary Nantwich, this club is different with an emphasis on business networking. The first meeting took place at the Nantwich Bookshop and is now based at Richmond Village, meeting weekly at 7.30am. “We meet for an hour to allow HE end is in sight for Rotary school, which will accommodate over 200 our busy members to attend and not Yeovil with its fund-raising goal to pupils. disrupt their working day,” said Tony rebuild a school in Nepal. Thanks to the efforts of Rotary Coxhill. The Somerset club has hit clubs, the generosity of individuals and “The new club will have an Tthe £50,000 mark to build the six-classroom philanthropic organisations, £18,000 was informal approach. We will be active Shree Saraswoti School in the mountainous raised in the first nine months. The Mondo in fund-raising while having fun and Sindhupalchok region. The first brick was Foundation was also able to secure around networking to provide mutual help and laid this summer. a further £30,000. This, combined with support to our members. At the end of 2017, then District 1200 recent fund-raising events, has seen the “We will be following the Rotary Governor Stewart Cursley, challenged figure raised to exceed £50,000. ideal of ‘service above self’. • clubs to come up with a project which Past Rotary Yeovil President, Michael would involve all 52 clubs. Fernando, admitted this was an ambitious Due to the Yeovil club’s association project but they are determined to see with Luke Simon from the charity School it through. He said: “The recent influx of in a Bag and his current work in Nepal, funds has meant the end goal is now in a plan to re-build a school in one of sight and, with additional funds having the regions affected by the devastating been pledged, we hope to reach the total 2015 earthquake was hatched. The 7.8 by the end of this year. magnitude earthquake destroyed 475 of “The school will benefit children in the 545 schools in Sindhupalchok. Nepal for generations to come and we Working with School in a Bag partners, are looking forward to visiting the finished the Helambu Education and Livelihood school to see the plaque which will honour Project and the Mondo Foundation, the Yeovil for its contribution.” • Yeovil club set about a focused fund-raising campaign to secure the £64,000 budget Find out more at: needed to fully build, fit out and staff a www.hungryplanet.com GET IN TOUCH... Got a story for us? Send it in (with a good quality picture) to [email protected] “The Somerset club has hit the £50,000 mark to build the six-classroom Shree Saraswoti School Look for us online at rotarygbi.org or follow us on Facebook: /RotaryinGBI Twitter: @RotaryGBI in the mountainous Sindhupalchok region” YouTube: Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland rotarygbi.org ROTARY // 45 ROTARY ANNUAL SHOWCASE NOTTINGHAM 2019 Join Rotary President Debbie Hodge and a whole host of speakers at the 94th annual Rotary Showcase in Nottingham on 10-12 May 2019. The opportunities are endless, so join Rotary for a weekend of education, motivation, entertainment and making memories.

For more information visit: rotarygbi.org rotarygbi.org ROTARY // 47

Editor's letter

and finally... with Managing Editor Dave King [email protected] Be seen on our new-look website! AVE you looked at the Rotary Don’t worry, the magazine will still You will be sent details of the webinar, website recently for Great be brimming with fresh and interesting which starts at 7pm. Britain & Ireland? features. So, please talk to me. Let's tell the If not, then after you’ve world how good Rotary is, and what we're • Finally, an apology to the winners of Hread this piece of poetic prose, put down doing in our communities and beyond. the international awards from the recent the magazine, grab your laptop, tablet, If you, your club, business or Champions of Change ceremony. In smartphone or crank up the aged desktop organisation is doing something significant August’s issue of Rotary magazine, the computer gathering dust in your spare in the name of Rotary, then tell me about it. stories of the seven winners was omitted. bedroom, and log onto www.rotarygbi.org The one area I hear very little from is So to Tony Clayson, Patsy Dodd, Bob If you’re already reading this article Ireland, so can I encourage Rotarians from Parfitt, Alison Stedman, Alan Wolstencroft, online, then please ignore that last the Emerald Isle to get in touch. Norman Yates and Peter Croan, please irrelevant paragraph, because you’ve already Send me the story details and some accept my apologies. You can read about found the website! decent photos - no thumbs, no firing squad their amazing achievements online at: Now, in a fast-moving society where we line-ups or cheque presentations! Instead, www.rotarygbi.org/international- sometimes become adverse to change, this make the image shout 'Rotary'. champions-change-2018/ where you can is one of the smarter moves. Don’t assume I know the background also find out about the other inspiring The RIBI website has had an of your story either and don’t ask me to category winners.• impressive makeover with no Botox or chase around for information from other implants used! It looks good and is easy sources as I’ve got a dodgy knee! to source information, whether you are a Summarise your story in 500 words, To join Rotary visit: Rotarian or someone interested in finding include a quote and email me at: rotarygbi.org out more about the organisation. [email protected] Let me signpost you to one area, Now there is no excuse not to it’s the News & Features section at be heard. www.rotarygbi.org/news As part of a digital-first policy, this is a • Images are key to how Rotary section which will grow rapidly with news presents itself. items uploaded daily. Photographer Peter Croan, This really is Rotary in action. Rather who is the Public Image Chairman than waiting for Rotary magazine to be for Rotary in southern and central published bi-monthly, the website means Scotland, knows his stuff. He’s running we can respond straight away. a webinar called ‘Putting Rotary in the Whether it is how Rotarians or a picture’ on Monday, October 22nd Rotary-backed charity is responding at 7pm. overnight to a humanitarian crisis around If you’ve never attended a the world, or news of a community project webinar, it’s not complicated. on these shores, the website can react Register at: bit.ly/RotaryPhoto instantly and be topical. The all new RotaryGBI website

Editorial material and opinion expressed in Rotary do not necessarily reflect the views of Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland or the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure that the magazine’s content is accurate. Information is published in good faith, but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience arising from error or omission. The editor welcomes contributions of articles, news items, photographs and letters, but is under no obligation to publish unsolicited material. The editor reserves the right to edit for clarity or length. Contributors must ensure that all material submitted is not in breach of copyright or that they have obtained any necessary permission, in writing, for its reproduction. While every care will be taken with material submitted to Rotary magazine, no responsibility can be accepted for loss or damage. Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland believes in the highest standards journalistic integrity. Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland and the publisher do not accept responsibility for advertising and insert content. Advertisements are accepted at face value and no liability can be accepted for the actions of advertisers.

50 // ROTARY rotarygbi.org rotarygbi.org ROTARY // 51