During the event the Club President 2011-2012 Dr. Ravi Vibhuti, and President Elect 2012-2013 David Oliver, will be distributing the proceeds of the Christmas collections to charity organisations:  Age Concern, KM Walk to School, Clic Sargent, All Saints Community Project and six other charities.

‘GIVING CHILDREN A CHILDHOOD’

Clubs in Kent, SE London and East Sussex are supporting District Governor, Lynn Mitchell’s themes for 2011-12, Music and ‘Giving Children a Childhood’.

Young Carers are a group of children who sometimes get forgotten.  Clubs are sponsoring young carers in the District, to have breaks away on the historic sailing barge, the Cambria.    These children, who perhaps care for a parent or sibling from as young as 5 or 6, will have the chance to have an exhilarating experience, away from home, with other children who understand their everyday lifestyle.

The barge has been recently rebuilt and will be sailing all around the District, to London and beyond.  This is brand new initiative, and two very successful ‘trial runs’ have already taken place.  Each voyage in the future will take 8 children, and can be a mix of boys and girls.  They will learn all about sailing and help to sail her!  There will be a fully qualified sailing crew and also two adult helpers, ‘bosuns’ on each trip, which is another way for Rotarians and friends to help too.

Another ‘trial’ is planned, during the winter months, when the Cambria is in dock, so that the younger child carers, who would be too little to sail, can also have a much needed break away.

It’s also exciting to know that the next time the Cambria sails, the Rotary Wheel logo will be shown on the topsail!

With so many children who miss out on their childhood, there is another very different project, in Romania.  As the institutions are closed down, there are some children who are so institutionalised that there will be nowhere for them to go.  We are planning to set up small family homes, with the special needs of the children.  District Governor Lynn, will be travelling to Romania in March to see for herself what is involved.

For both projects, Clubs are invited to raise funds with music events ….. DG Lynn has been to many different events including a Ships, Shells ‘n Shanties evening, a Jazz Picnic, Musical Barbeque, with lots more being planned for 2012.

Rochester, Kent, 6 January 2011- Chatham community once again showed a strong support to the Christmas collection for Charities organized by the Rotary Club of Chatham. The amount collected reached £2,890. The programme included a collection stand in front of Asda store- Bridgewood, as well as from residents visited by the Christmas float in the streets of Chatham. The Christmas float with Santa on board drove around the streets of Chatham including the WAYFIELD ESTATE and DARGETS ROAD AREA.

On behalf of Chatham Rotary Club, President Dr. Ravi Vibhuti thanked the Chatham community for their generosity in spite of hard times, and said: “We sincerely apologize to residents especially to the children in the streets that we were not able to visit, as we are aware how much they would be looking forward to see Santa in the float. This was due to not having enough volunteers this time.” He added: “We encourage members of the community to join our fund raising efforts and hopefully, we will be able to cover a wider area next year. For those interested in joining please get in touch with our membership secretary by email which can be found on our website www.chathamrotary.org.uk ”

The money raised this year will go to the President’s nominated charities of the year mainly to local children charities for promoting well being, for supporting children with cancer and Children Welfare Groups as well as helping schools in India.

The Rotary Club of Chatham raised more than £13,000 during last year and supported many charities including Clic Sargent, Cerebral Palsy, MacMillan, Medway Parkinson Society, Wisdom Hospice, and other.

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Pictures attached : Rotarian Robert Miller as Santa

Paul Harris Fellowship Award Granted

Rochester, Kent, 3 January 2012- The Rotary Club of Chatham At Chatham Rotary Club’s Christmas Dinner, Rotarian Robert Miller was named a Paul Harris Fellow, the highest accolade that Rotary International can give in recognition of an individual’s efforts to promote the object of Rotary of service to the community above self.  Robert, who works as a Customer Relations Manager with one of the big banks, joined Northfleet Rotaract Club in 1981and served as District Chairman in 1988/89.  Robert became a Rotarian in 1998 and, after chairing various committees, served with distinction as president of Chatham club in 2003/04.

Rather than take a well deserved rest after his presidential year, Robert took on the duties of Club Secretary for some years and then widened his service to Rotary becoming Assistant District 1120 Secretary in 2007 and then Executive District Secretary in 2008, a position he continues to hold.

Presenting the award, Paul Harris Fellow Ian Robinson said “Robert has made an immense contribution to furthering the ideals of Rotary and I am delighted that his contribution is being recognised by the award of Paul Harris Fellowship.”

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He thanked them for their donations by offering them sweeties and by having a photo with them..

A big thank you from Santa and from all the members of the Rotary Club of Chatham.

The event took place today 19 Nov. 2011 at the Dockside Outlet, Chatham, Medway, where TV presenter Jenni Falconer switched on the Xmas lights at 3 p.m. at the centre.

Ms Steinmann, introduced the RC Chatham members to the mission of the centre and to its activities, after which the members visited the centre’s facilities and the computer centre.

It is indeed a place of pleasant recreation for our old loved ones with activities including trips, quiz programs, cookery workshops, motivational classes, bingo, crafts club and more.. It has become an annual tradition for the Rotary Club of Chatham to support Age Concern especially in organising a trip in the country and afternoon tea for a group of Age Concern members.

This is a 52 second film to commemorate the  meeting/dinner on 9 Nov. 2011 of The Rotary Club of Chatham on the occasion of Remembrance day.

Presidents of Rotary Club of Chatham, Rotary Club of Rochester and Rotary Club of Strood are filmed laying the wreaths on behalf of their Rotary Clubs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyyvHRcy9mE&feature=mfu_channel&list=UL