The Rotary Family is diverse and vibrant, and this includes Interact, the branch of Rotary based in secondary schools for young people aged 12 to 18. Members of the Barnes Wallis Academy Interact Club in Lincolnshire have received special recognition for their volunteering activities in the shape of a Diana Award for Champion Fundraising.
The Diana Awards were established as a legacy project for Princess Diana, and aims to celebrate the way young people have the power to do good and make a positive difference in the world.
The club was established in 2013 and in total has 20 members who meet on a fortnightly basis to discuss topics which they feel passionately about. Six members of the club were eligible for the award having been involved in planning and delivering a number of fundraising projects in their school and local community.
This included a whole host of activities from collecting items for a local homelessness charity to serving lunches at a village hall for OAPs. Most notably of all, the club raised over ÂŁ750 for the charity School in a Bag, which will allow 50 pupils in developing and disaster-hit countries to have access to durable stationary equipment to improve their education. This has given the pupils an opportunity to develop an appreciation of not only the difference they can make locally, but also internationally.
The pupils have also managed to forge friendships with an Interact club in India, taking part in video conferencing with them to expand their horizons and share ideas.
Catherine Andy, who organises the Interact club at the Academy, expressed her delight at the pupils’ success: “I am very proud of the members and their enthusiasm to help others. I enjoy hearing their ideas and helping them with their fundraising. I’d also like to thank Richard Maxwell, the Interact Officer for our area and the Rotary Club of Woodhall Spa for their ongoing support.”
As part of the awards, the six awardees have also been invited to an Inspire Day in Birmingham where they will be given their certificates and will take part in workshops about social action and work related skills.
This article was published as part of Rotary Good News Week. To follow Rotary Good News Week, find us on Facebook and Twitter and share your stories using the hashtag #RotaryGoodNewsWeek.
Read our other Good News Stories from this week below:
- Rotary Club of Melksham Art House Café
- Teddies let loose by Rotary Club of Hitchin Tilehouse
- The Gift of Water provided by the Rotary Club of Westbourne
Published: Thursday 14th April 2016
