Clubs bring fundraising to their communities

Caterham Rotary introduced a new community Cricket Day this year.

The event was free and enabled the local community, no matter the age take part in playing or watching cricket. The event was hosted on Caterham School grounds.

There were two main tournaments organised, covering under 15s and adults in a series of “round robin” T10 matches plus free coaching and “Kwik Cricket” for young people provided by First Ball Academy [FBA] from Chaldon.

Julie Pescod, one of the Caterham Rotary organisers commented on the event’s success and thanked the school.

The cricket pitch was set up at the Caterham School grounds.

She said: “we would like to thank Caterham School for making the day possible, by allowing us to host the tournament on their cricket ground in Park Avenue free of charge.

“It was lovely to see the young people getting the chance to play and watch cricket.”

Over 130 people of all ages attended the day and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Merv Arana, a joint organiser from Caterham Rotary is already looking forward to next year’s event.

He said, “We had a really successful day, and we will be starting soon to plan for June 2023 event”.

Wylde Green Rotary has been busy collecting tools in their local community for the charity ‘Tools with a Mission’ also known as TWAM.

TWAM is a Christian charity that collects useable donated tools, refurbishes them and distributes them to developing countries.

During this collection, TWAM picked up hand, garage, garden and electrical tools, old vacuum cleaners, a folding wheelchair, a pressure washer, a voltage converter and more.

The TWAM van loaded with donated items

North Berwick Fringe by the Sea Rotary has recently hosted its sandcastle competition. Over 30 families and groups took part in the event.

The event was judged by Libby Morris from North Berwick in Bloom, who the club regularly works with doing bench painting and litter picks.

The club now hopes the event will become an annual competition involving the local community.

Some local Young Carer families will have a more enjoyable Summer this year thanks to the kind gesture of the Channel Rotary club.

Twenty supermarket vouchers were recently presented to Tina Culver, local Young Carer Support Coordinator, by Club Secretary Bill Flavell.

Tina is a member of Imago, the organisation engaged by KCC to provide support for local children and young people who have special responsibility for family members.  She was most appreciative and personally distributed the vouchers to very grateful recipients.

Tina said: “I received lovely feedback from the very appreciative families who said Channel Rotary’s kind gift had come at a time of need as the children were not receiving free school meals during the holidays.

“The gifts have made such a difference to the families, some of whose quotes on receiving the vouchers were:

Some local Young Carer families will have a more enjoyable Summer this year thanks to the kind gesture of the Channel Rotary club.”

“Thank you so much, we have been going to the foodbank recently and this will mean we won’t have to do this week.”

“This will free up some money to buy some textbooks we have to get for college.  Thank you”

“Cannot believe the generosity.”

Channel Rotary has worked closely with the Young Carer organisations for many years and, together with the other local Rotary clubs (Folkestone, Hythe, and Romney Marsh). They provide support and arrange events throughout the year for the youngsters and their families.

There are some 700 registered Young Carers in Folkestone & Hythe District and a sizeable number are not registered.