Charities supported by The Rotary Club of Chatham on March 3, 2012
Rotary Club of Chatham Event:
Distribution of Charity Walk and Christmas Charity Collections to Charity Organisations
Date: 3 March 2012
Venue: Age Concern Chatham, Hopewell Centre
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Charities supported by The Rotary Club of Chatham on March 3, 2012
Rotary District 1120 Governor, Lynn Mitchell’s Young Carers Project:
‘GIVING CHILDREN A CHILDHOOD’
Clubs inKent, SE London andEast Sussexare 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. Children who 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.
Contact: Lynne Mitchell
CLIC Sargent
‘CLIC Sargent is the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people, and their families. The charity provides clinical, practical and emotional support to help them cope with cancer and get the most out of life. Support starts from diagnosis onwards and aims to help the whole family deal with the impact of cancer and its treatment, life after treatment and, in some cases, bereavement. In Medway Clic Sargent funds two CLIC Sargent Nurses who work with children and their families providing support in the local community, at Medway Maritime Hospital.’
Contact: Dan Powell
Dan.Powell@clicsargent.org.uk ,http://www.clicsargent.org.uk
Age Concern Chatham
Age Concern Chatham is an independent not for profit charity supporting vulnerable older people and family carers who need respite, a break from caring roles while loved ones enjoy day opportunities, maintaining independence and protecting family relationships.
Day opportunities include: Computer learning, chair based Tai Chi, New Age Kurling and creative dance classes, motivation mental agility classes, memory book and cookery workshops. Breakfast and lunch are cooked fresh on site. The centre invites visiting entertainers and arranges external trips to places of special interest. The Hopewell Centre is user-led and hosts a number of enhanced services bringing care closer to home ie: law and welfare benefit clinics, Hi-Kent hearing, falls prevention and district nursing clinics. Patrons can also access hairdressing, foot care, domestic care and bathing services provided at The Hopewell Centre and localised. In the summer, the patrons will participate in The Hopewell Centre adapted Olympic Games, complete with opening and closing ceremony and medal awards.
Contact: Cathy Steinmann
Cathy@ageconcern-chatham.co.uk
All Saints Community Project
All Saints Community Project is a church based community project run by St Paul with All Saints Church in Magpie Hall Road, Chatham. The project has been operating for 10 years to provide help and assistance to people in the local area. Services include advice and information on a one to one basis for those seeking help with finding work or accessing training. We offer low cost or free training at our computer centre from beginners to accredited qualifications. We are an accredited NVQ Centre and deliver NVQs in Advice and Guidance, Customer Service and Business Administration. Working with a partner we are able to also offer English and Maths and English for Speakers of Other Languages. Social Activities include providing craft sessions, over 45s lunch club, pram club, youth club, exercise classes, monthly working group and affordable child care.
Currently we are fund raising to refurbish the old “Magpie Tavern Pub” and turn it into a new centre for use for the community.
Contact: Linda Fiddyment
lindaf@allsaintscommunityproject.org.uk
www.allsaintscommunityproject.org.uk
KM Walk to School
The KM Charity Team works with 200 primary schools in Kent and Medway supporting healthy lifestyle services and walk to school schemes in particular. In the last academic year more than 230,000 school run vehicle journeys were removed from the county’s roads by our green travel initiatives. Currently we are developing a Green Travel Roadshow which will deliver a panto-style mini show in primary schools using the charity’s walk to school mascots – this will deliver health, environment and road safety messages to under 11s.
Contact: Simon Dolby
Sdolby@thekmgroup.co.uk
The Wisdom Hospice
The Friends of The Wisdom Hospice is a Charity dedicated to supporting the work of the Wisdom Hospice, providing specialised end of life care and support to local people of Medway and Swale, their families, friends and carers whether at home, in the hospice or hospital. The Hospice is committed to relieving symptoms and to helping people achieve the best quality of life. All care provided by the Hospice is free but only made possible thanks to the generosity of supporters and volunteers. Each year the Friends need to raise over £800,000 in voluntary income to ensure that the excellent care provided by the Hospice is maintained and improved.
Contact: Martyn Reeves
MartynReeves@fowh.org.uk
Medway Hindu Mandir
Medway Hindu Mandir, Community and Cultural Centre of Kent is a Gillingham based bustling community centre mainly focusing on the needs of young people in the Medway Area. We recognise that our young people need a safe and secure environment, outside of their home and the school curriculum that will enable them to experience a range of developmental activities that contribute to creating well rounded young adults. We are currently running Yoga and Karate classes as well as a homework club. Our dance classes have been popular in the past seeing our students perform on stage at both the Brook and Central Theatres in Chatham. A new term of dance classes is to begin shortly. Our classes and clubs are open to all where we have seen young people from other community groups take part. We are very proactive in inviting local school and college groups to learn about the Indian culture and Hinduism. The Police also take advantage of this in training their new recruits about the diverse nature of the Medway Towns. We are looking to extend our services further by offering other classes such as keyboard classes and learning languages such as Hindi and Punjabi, as we know there is a demand for this. Through securing funds we hope that our young people can benefit from attending classes at nominal cost.
Contact: Ajay Attra
ajayattra@hotmail.com
Porchlight
Porchlight is a forward thinking and innovative charity, passionate about helping people and communities. We work throughout Kent to help the most vulnerable and isolated people in our communities to access housing and related support services. We help change lives through the following services: Help and Advice; Kent Outreach Service; Young Persons Services; Homelessness Prevention; Supported Accommodation; Community Support and Building Skills. In 2010-11 we supported over 2,300 people to change their lives for the better. We are delighted to have recently secured funding to start to deliver a Reactive Outreach Service in the Medway Towns from April 2012.
Contact: Rachel van Hoven
RachelvanHoven@porchlight.org.uk
Distinction Twirlers
Distinction Twirlers of Medway is a local club teaching baton twirling and performance skills to young people in the Chatham area. We passionately believe in the value of this activity in promoting a healthy lifestyle and improving self confidence in our members. Twirling is invaluable in improving manual dexterity, posture/hand/eye co-ordination and a whole host of other skills.
Our members are actively encouraged to participate in a team led activity, which really improves their social skills and self confidence. Many young people may have problems at school and may not “fit in” with the traditional team sports. However many thrive in the world of twirling as ANYONE can participate and succeed with encouragement and good teaching. Our activity is open to anyone regardless of ability, race or gender.
Contact: Anita Stanforth
distinction_twirlers@hotmail.com
www.distinctiontwirlersofmedway.webs.com
Chatham Welcome Day Centre
The Centre is funded by Medway Council and supported by Community Funds.
Welcome Day Centre is a registered charity no 1029130. It was founded by Ethnic Minority Senior Citizens Association in 1993 and its members are from various backgrounds like Lecturers, GPs etc.
The aim of the centre is to provide senior citizens of ethnic minority a central point where they can come and share their interests, hobbies, and activities in a warm and friendly environment. The day centre provides senior citizens with physical activities like yoga and chair-based exercises which helps them to be more physically independent and mentally active. The centre also provides freshly cooked vegetarian balanced meals. Day trips to various interesting places are also organised on clients’ request. Clients come from all religious backgrounds , where various religions like Diwali, Eid, X-mas and Baisakhi.
Contact: Preet Chander
preet_wdc@yahoo.co.uk
http://www.welcomedaycentre.co.uk
Adopted Schools- International
India: Hangal Taluk Educational Society Akki-Alur Karnataka
This is an educational institute which is a fine example of charity beginning at home. The society was started by the village elders by donating their own land to fund the school back in 1949. The Institute now provides secondary education in an economically viable environment to most of the children coming from in and around 50 to 100 surrounding villages. Otherwise such an education would have been an unreachable dream for these youngsters. However such schools always have to depend upon public donations or earn fees from the students to survive. Dr Ravi Vibhuti hopes that the Chatham Rotary school adoption initiative will be a good example to other charities or individuals to provide mass education by strengthening existing institutions thus furthering the causes of International understanding and goodwill.
Pakistan: Abuzzi Higher Secondary School Shigar
This school was originally funded by the Italian Government in 2004 to celebrate the first victorious expedition party of Italy to K2 in 1954. It is just 30 kilometers away from Skardu in the beautiful valley of Gilgit and Baltistan in the foot hills of K-2 the second highest peak in the world. The school is a very fine example of how Western society can promote International goodwill to the local youngsters. Children will feel supported by the West, which will reinforce cultural understanding and cooperation. When Dr Ravi, visited the school and posed a question to the Head master to enquire how the West can help the area, his simple request was to sponsor a teacher for a year. Naturally, our funds do not cover the annual requirement, but will be a token of support and goodwill.
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About The Rotary Club of Chatham
The Rotary Club of Chatham is one of the first clubs in the UK, and the first in Medway. Since its foundation in 1923, the club has contributed to a wide range of projects leading to substantial results in individual and social wellbeing. The Club supports many activities including “Youth Speaks” aimed at developing leadership and public speaking skills of the young generation, and “Young Musicians” encouraging talented young people to excel in their achievement. Other projects included supporting Japan, Rotary International’s Polio eradication program and other international projects.
The Rotary Club of Chatham raised more than £125,000 in the last 10 years, all of which has been distributed to charity organisations. Supported charities past and present include Clic Sargent, Cerebral Palsy, MacMillan, Medway Parkinson Society, Wisdom Hospice, Age Concern Chatham, All Saints Community project, KM Walk to School, Medway Hindu Mandir, Young Carers Project, Chatham Welcome Day Centre, Distinction Twirlers and other.
The Rotary Club of Chatham meets on Wednesday at 7:00pm at the Holiday Inn Hotel-Rochester, and welcomes interested members of the public to join the club to make a difference.
The club belongs to Rotary District 1120 which has 86 clubs in Kent, East Sussex and South East London.
Contact: Dr Ravi Vibhuti- President
vibhr@yahoo.co.uk
Randa Saab- Press relations
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About Rotary International
Rotary International is a volunteer organization of business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service, and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. There are approximately 1.2 million Rotary club members belonging to 33,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.
Founded in Chicago in 1905, Rotary celebrated 100 years of service in 2005. The Rotary Foundation has awarded more than US$2.1 billion in grants, which are administered at the local level by Rotary clubs.
About Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland
Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland is an organisation of more than 55,000 men and women who, as members of 1,850 clubs, volunteer their time, talents, professional skills and energy in improving the lives of people in their local communities and others around the world.
Chatham Rotary Distributes Funds to 13 Charities
Chatham Rotary Distributes Funds to 13 Charities
£125,000 raised and distributed to charity projects in the last 10 years
Chatham, Kent, 3 March 2012- On behalf of the Rotary Club of Chatham, Dr. Ravi Vibhuti, President 2011-2012 invited a number of charity organizations and friends of Rotary to the event “Funds Distribution to Charities” on 3rd March 2012 at 3:00pm The invited charity organizations will receive funds from the money raised by members of the club through the “Charity Walk” as well as through Christmas collections. The event will take place at The Age Concern, Hopewell centre, Chatham.
The “Charity Walk” was organized in October 2011 to promote Health Awareness and the benefits of “Walking and Exercising” as part of a healthy lifestyle. At Christmas 2011 members of the club raised the funds through collections in front of the Chatham Outlet Centre and Asda in Chatham, as well as from Chatham residents mainly in Walderslade, Lordswood and Wayfield areas, reached on the club’s Christmas float with Santa onboard.
“The ceremony is also to say a “Big Thank You” to all the people who donated the money and also to the volunteers who helped us raise the money including the members of the club and their families. I am proud to say that the streets of Medway are not paved with gold but with good people with a big heart. Due to their generosity we managed to raise £3713,” said Dr. Vibhuti.
“It is customary that the president of the club selects the beneficiary organizations in recognition of their charitable work in the community. As the club president for the Rotary year 2011-2012, my theme is to promote Health and Well being of young and old alike, along with the Rotary International’s bigger theme to “Bridge the Communities and Build the Continents”. With this vision in mind, I have chosen KM Walk to School, Age Concern, All Saints Project and Clic Sargent as my main charities. However, over the years Rotary worked in liaison with other well known charities such as MacMillan, Wisdom Hospice, and Porchlight who will also receive a contribution from our funds along with the “Young Carers’ Project” that the Rotary Governor of district 1120 has chosen for her term of office. I have also included Medway Twirlers, ethnic minority Welcome Day Centre, and Medway Hindu Mandir as a special recognition for their efforts in “Bridging the communities”. In terms of “Building Continents” I am supporting rural schools in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to encourage children’s education and understanding of International communities,“ explained Dr. Vibhuti.
The Rotary Club of Chatham is one of the first clubs in the UK, and the first in Medway. In the last ten years the club managed to generate and distribute more than £125,000 to charity organizations and projects. Since its foundation in 1923, the club has contributed to a wide range of projects leading to substantial results in individual and social wellbeing. In addition to charity organizations, the Club supports many activities including “Youth Speaks” aimed at developing leadership and public speaking skills of the young generation, and “Young Musicians” encouraging talented young people to excel in their achievement. Other projects included supporting Japan, Rotary International’s Polio eradication program and other international projects.
The Rotary Club of Chatham invites the community to get involved in the club’s activities, by joining as a member or as a volunteer, or by donating generously towards one or more of our projects. Full information is on the club’s website.
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Picture:
Notes to the editor:
About The Rotary Club of Chatham
The Rotary Club of Chatham is one of the first clubs in the UK, and the first in Medway. Since its founding in 1923, the club has contributed to a wide range of projects leading to substantial results in individual and social wellbeing. The Rotary Club of Chatham meets on Wednesday at 7:00pm at the Holiday Inn Hotel-Rochester, and welcomes interested members of the public to join the club to make a difference. www.chathamrotary.org.uk.
The club belongs to Rotary District 1120 which has 86 clubs in Kent, East Sussex and South East
About Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland
Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland is an organisation of more than 55,000 men and women who, as members of 1,850 clubs, volunteer their time, talents, professional skills and energy in improving the lives of people in their local communities and others around the world.
About The Rotary International
Rotary International is a volunteer organization of business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service, and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. There are approximately 1.2 million Rotary club members belonging to 33,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.
Founded in Chicago in 1905, Rotary celebrated 100 years of service in 2005. The Rotary Foundation has awarded more than US$2.1 billion in grants, which are administered at the local level by Rotary clubs.
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A Remarkable Evening with Rotary RIBI President at Maidstone Riverside Rotary
A Remarkable Evening with Rotary RIBI President at Maidstone Riverside Rotary
RIBI President Ray Burman (RC of Kelveden and District) and his wife Victoria (RC of Colchester), were welcomed by District 1120 Governor Lynne Mitchell and PP Ray, Maidstone Riverside president Martin Carter and more than 60 Rotarians who came from the different clubs of district 1120 and 3 prospective new members. Participants enjoyed the good company, good food and a special song written by Riverside Past President Clive Bradburn and performed by Clive and other by Riversiders, promoting Rotary’s spirit and achievements.
President Burman gave a stimulating presentation emphasising the benefits that the international and local communities are enjoying because of Rotary’s support, and DG Mitchell updated everyone on the achievements in relation to the Cambria which now carries the Rotary Logo on its sail.
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Chatham Rotary Plans an Event for Funds Distribution to Charity Organisations on 3 March
The Rotary Club of Chatham is holding a charity event on 3rd March 2012 at 3:00 pm for 3:30 pm, at the Age Concern in Chatham, Kent.
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’
ROTARY DISTRICT 1120
‘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.
Chatham Community Supports Rotary’s Christmas Charity Collection
The Rotary Club of Chatham raised around £3,000
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
Rotary International recognizes the efforts of Robert Miller
Rotary International recognizes the efforts of Robert Miller
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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A big thank you from Santa to the children of Chatham
Santa was delighted by the support of Chatham’s children for his charity fund raising mission. The funds collected will contribute to helping under-privileged children and people in need.
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.
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The Rotary Club of Chatham’s Visit to Age Concern Chatham
To help Age Concern of Chatham in its fund raising activities and as an expression of continuous support and cooperation, members of the Rotary Club of Chatham headed by President Ravi Vibhuti, visited Hopewell Centre in Chatham yesterday, and enjoyed a fund raising dinner with its Chief Executive Ms Kathy Steinmann and Trustee Ms Pamela.
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.
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