Articles
Rotary magazine covers a wide range of fascinating features, exclusive interviews and inspiring human interest stories from across the world of Rotary.
Read the stories below or download the full digital edition.
Caravan with Rotary
For over 50 years, the International Caravanning Fellowship of Rotarians has been uniting members from around the world in a common interest of meeting new people and visiting new places.
Developing future leaders
Tim Cowling of Farringdon & District Rotary Club discusses how the Rotary Leadership and Management programme has helped young people develop over the years since it started.
Coats4Kids – The Power of Rotary
How a collaboration between two Rotary clubs across the pond led to hundreds of primary school children having access to warm winter clothing.
A caring partnership
An ageing population with improved life expectancy, means that the demand for unpaid carers is growing rapidly. Dr Cheryle Berry, co-team leader for Rotary GB&I Humanitarian Service explains what Rotary can do.
How can we stand for peace and not stand against racism?
Nadine Pemberton, Rotary member and anti-racism and diversity educator reflects on how Rotary needs to change and be the change to end racism.
The gift that keeps on giving
The Rotary Foundation is Rotary’s own charity. It funds projects in the seven areas of focus locally, nationally and internationally, which really make a difference to people’s lives.
Read the full magazine
White van men at work!
Dundee Rotarians are volunteering as ‘white van men’ to distribute surplus in-date supermarket food to charities.
Are you listening Salford?
Five Rotary clubs in Salford have joined forces to work on a collaborative community project called Let’s Hear Salford to help residents with hearing loss.
Champions Awards – Sharon Firth and Wendy Catterick
At the Rotary Conference & Showcase in Nottingham last month, the Champions Awards recognised outstanding humanitarian and community service conducted by volunteers from across Great Britain and Ireland.
Declaring war on food waste
Love Food Hate Waste is a movement promoting a greener lifestyle across Great Britain and Ireland, and it is spreading the message to other countries across the world.
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.
Paul Harris: restoring the legacy of Rotary’s founder
For many, visiting Chicago is a pilgrimage to the home of the founder of Rotary, Paul Harris, is a must. Dave King follows that trail and speaks to the movers behind plans to renovate the founder’s home.
Champions Awards – Sarah Jane Minns and Donna Fitzpatrick
Organ donation: What’s it all about?
The English organ donation law is changing in 2020 to help save more lives. The change already exists in Wales, and there are plans afoot in Scotland to follow the other nations’ lead. But what does it mean?
Entrepreneur supports community food club
Community food club The Port Grocery has appointed serial entrepreneur Gordon Vickers as its patron – after a year of rapid growth.
Alana’s cakes put a smile on people’s faces
Meet 12-year-old Alana Habergham-Rice, whose venture, Alana’s Caring Cakes, is making a big impression in South Yorkshire.
Rotary Young Citizen Awards returns for 2019
Remarkable young people from across Britain and Ireland are being recognised by the Rotary Young Citizen Awards in 2019. The accolades celebrate the positive citizenship and responsibilities which are shown by many young people through hard work, inspirational ideas and a determination to help others and make a difference, writes Eve Conway.
Teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime
Gareth Cheesman from Rotary Llantwit Major in South Wales has enjoyed close ties with the Philippines since visiting the country as a Group Study Exchange team leader in 2012. When a devastating typhoon decimated the south-east Asian country a year later, Gareth was at the forefront of a Rotary project to help fishermen who had lost their boats in the storm. Here he tells the story.
Champions Awards – Nick Corke and Lori Spragg
Champions Awards – Ken Berkin and Katy Harris
Having the heart to save lives
Sheenah Nelson from Helensburgh Garelochside Rotary in the west of Scotland, has won a Rotary Champions Award for her work as the Heartstart co-ordinator. Here, Sheenah describes her work.
The Rotarian who created the Paralympics
Dr Ludwig Guttman was a highly respected Jewish neuro surgeon living in Nazi Germany. He managed to escape his homeland shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War and he has left a legacy to disabled sport, 70 years on.
Young role models who are making a difference
Eve Conway, Founder and Co-ordinator of the Rotary Young Citizen Awards reflects on some of the talented and hard-working youngsters who, over the years, have previously won this prestigious honour.
Maintaining the vision and looking ahead to 2021
Following the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on events across the world, the difficult decision was taken to postpone Volunteer Expo, but sights are firmly set on bringing the event to life on the newly confirmed date of 7th – 9th May 2021.
Purple gin is just the tonic
Rotarians have devised creative ways to raise money for End Polio Now, but Passionately Purple Gin and a new honey creation are proving a big hit.
Time for a cuppa at The Worry Tree Café
The Worry Tree Café was the inspiration of Millie Corke to help those with mental health issues. Dave King caught up with Millie who explains the journey she has been on.
Where there’s a Will, there’s a way
Sailor Will Sears from Dorset is the winner of the first Rotary Young Citizen Sporting Hero Award.
Education is the key to ending poverty
Peter Swan, Community Champion 2020, has transformed one of the poorest districts in Tanzania, simply by providing the resources for children to receive a full education.
Champions Awards – Jan Lewis and Amber Cowburn
Creating a brighter future
The largest ever Rotary Foundation Global Grant to be awarded to a project based in Great Britain and Ireland will dramatically improve access to radiotherapy and cancer treatment in the south of England.
It’s Rock on Rotary!
Don’t mention Brexit to the Rotarians in Gibraltar. The British overseas territory, sitting on the border with Spain and overlooking North Africa, has its ties firmly linked to Rotary in Great Britain & Ireland.
Getting back to basics
Dr Frankie Dormon has been at the heart of a maternity project to Africa for the past decade which has been closely supported by Rotary clubs in Dorset. Here she tells the story of their journey.
Give peace a chance
Iqra Khan, nominated by Bradford Rotary, is this year’s Rotary Young Citizen Peacemaker Award winner.
Volunteer Expo: Where inspiration happens
As we look ahead to Volunteer Expo, Rotary’s brand new event, we spoke to five organisations about why they’re getting involved.
Cycling without age
How do you engage the elderly? The answer is through cycling. Nick Corke from Rotary Framlingham describes how their innovative two-wheeled project is having an impact in East Anglia.
Champions Awards – Chris Spencer and Josephine Middlemiss
The need is there
We spoke to a number of charities and organisations joining the line up of exhibitors for Volunteer Expo in 2021 about how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted them, their volunteers and their ability to deliver vital services.
A passport to Rotary
Passport clubs are a new mobile way of doing Rotary. Steve Martin has formed the Rotary North Wales & North-West England Passport Club, and he explains what it is all about.
It’s showcase Nottingham
The city of Nottingham will be hosting this year’s Rotary GBI conference – but with a twist.
The Rotary Social
What is being watched, posted, liked, shared and tweeted around Rotary, COVID-19 and more in the world of social media.
Rotary: the original social network
Nicki Scott, Rotary International Director from 2021, reflects on the togetherTalks, which she co-hosts online each Tuesday.
A heart-safe environment
The Rotary Saving Lives project is on a mission to make sure we all have access to defibrillators across Gloucestershire and beyond.
Champions Awards – Angela Williams and John East
Making Caring Visible
It is now estimated that as many as 13.6 million people in the UK are unpaid carers, looking after loved ones who are older, disabled or seriously ill. Now a 12-month partnership between Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland and Carers UK will help make caring visible across the UK.
The Phantom returns
Roy Budd was a renowned composer and a Rotarian who died of a brain haemorrhage just weeks before the premiere in London of one of his most ambitious musical projects.
Connecting with youth
The Rotary Leadership and Management Programme is an award for young people endorsed by the Institute of Leadership and Management. Tim Cowling, from Faringdon Rotary in Oxfordshire, explains what it’s all about.
A life well remembered lives on
The Hospice Biographers is a unique project founded by a London Rotarian, which provides families with a legacy from loved ones.
It’s you, you, you!
Alicia Reade has been a member of Doncaster Rotary since 2015. She is a self-employed songwriter, a music teacher and an IT Consultant. Last year, she undertook an unusual project for her district, and here she tells her story.
Unboxing a little happiness
For 25 years, the Rotary Shoebox Scheme has been putting smiles on the faces of children in Eastern Europe with gifts which can really make a difference.
Simple Bourne to help
Teacher Sue Pomeroy describes the schools’ project in Zambia which has been the focus of her club, Bourne End & Cookham Rotary.
Making a fresh start
Chris Wells made a big hit at last summer’s Rotary International Convention in Hamburg where he talked about his journey with Rotaract and also dealing with mental health.
You are the generation who can end polio
On the eve of World Polio Day, Rotary ambassador, Ade Adepitan, met university students at Wembley Stadium to help them understand the disease.
Malcolm the Weaver by Royal Appointment
Malcolm Campbell has worked in the textile industry for 50 years, but in recent times, the Yorkshire Rotarian has found a fresh vocation – as a successful children’s author.
Do you know your blood pressure?
Rotary clubs are again lending their support to The Stroke Association to raise awareness of the dangers of high blood pressure.
Rotary Radio UK is having a blast
It’s the world’s first Rotary 24 hour radio station and looking to grow with the help of Rotarians from across the isles.
Swansea Rotary the growth of a notion
Margaret Abbett, the current President of Swansea Rotary, reflects on the centenary of the proud Welsh club chronicled through a unique volume of books.
Sunshine days
What began as a genteel day out to a theme park in Surrey for a handful of disadvantaged children 28 years ago, has fast become a major Rotary activity across the UK with 680,000 youngsters benefiting.
Drive of a lifetime raises over £50,000
Rotary’s road trip gets into gear, motoring for End Polio Now.
Simply blind faith
With plenty of friendship and effort, members from a Rotary club in North Wales have fitted safe learning areas in Budapest for the benefit of many young children.
A Welsh marriage made in Rotary
Two Welsh Rotary clubs, both different in approach, have opted to merge to benefit their community.
Holding out for a hero
It is one of the showpieces of the Rotary calendar, an opportunity to shine the spotlight on sometimes reluctant heroes, who go the extra mile in their communities. Meet this year’s Rotary Champions of Change.
Why I want to End Polio Now!
Jannine Birtwistle has a passion – and that passion is Rotary’s fight against polio. The Guernsey-based Rotarian explains her motivation for being at the forefront of the End Polio Now campaign.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Sir Nicholas Winton - Oscar Winner Sir Anthony Hopkins Stars As The Holocaust Hero And Rotarian In His Latest Film
Winter 2024
Growing Rotary: A vision for the future
October - November 2023
A New Dawn
August - September 2023
Loneliness - The Most Terrible Poverty
June - July 2023
Ukraine - One Year On
April - May 2023
Rotary's Rock Solid Foundation
February - March 2023
Rotaract: The Present & Future of Rotary
December - January 2023
Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022
October - November 2022
Poliovirus in the UK - should we be concerned?
August - September 2022
Homes for Hope - Giving shelter to Ukrainian families
June - July 2022
We stand with Ukraine
April - May 2022
Saving the children of MedellÃn
February - March 2022
It's time to wake up to Climate Change - Rotary at COP26
December - January 2022
What hope for polio in Afghanistan
October-November 2021
Rotary lends a helping hand
August-September 2021
HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh: a friend of Rotary
June-July 2021
Shaping the road to recovery
April-May 2021
Living in the Plastic Soup
February-March 2021
Peace Advocate Project: A step in the right direction
December 2020-January 2021
Africa's Finest Hour: Historic milestone reached in global battle to wipe out polio
October - November 2020
Captain Tom: A nation salutes an inspiration
August-September 2020
COVID-19: Saluting Rotary's Heroes
June-July 2020
Being Frank about mental health
April-May 2020
Australian bushfires: How Rotary is helping to rebuild from the flames
February-March 2020
Scavenging to survive
December 2019-January 2020
Why should a child go hungry?
October-November 2019
Winning the hearts and minds of organ donors
August-September 2019
From source to sea: The fight against plastic pollution
June-July 2019
Modern slavery: It's closer than you think
April-May 2019
My son was groomed online and murdered
February-March 2019
War & Peace: How Rotary's future was shaped by the Great War
December 2018-January 2019
Rotary behind bars: Rehabilitation or punishment?
October-November 2018
Dementia: Why it is Britain's biggest killer
August-September 2018
Golden Eboni Lights up Gold Coast
June-July 2018
Dolly in Dreamland
April-May 2018
Sammi's bid for Games glory
February-March 2018
How Hollywood is tackling the issue of polio
December 2017-January 2018
It's Strictly Dementia
October-November 2017
Martin Bell: Back on the frontline
August-September 2017
The lasting legacy
June-July 2017
Feeling the love
April-May 2017
Born Free: Saving our Endangered World
February-March 2017
Peace Fellows
December 2016-January 2017
Crazy mad dreamer
October-November 2016
Literacy opens the world
August-September 2016
The Prince's Trust
June-July 2016
The fight against the Zika virus
April-May 2016
Facing the Floods
February-March 2016
Bringing World Peace to Nations
December 2015-January 2016
Africa Polio free for one year
October-November 2015