Celebrities, business, civic and community leaders were out in force on Monday to celebrate Rotary’s 110th birthday, while helping to raise funds for the isolated elderly across Hampshire and Dorset.
Over 350 guests, including honorary Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow Dame Esther Rantzen and Olympic diver Pete Waterfield, attended Rotary’s glamorous Red Carpet Gala screening of Fox Searchlight Pictures’ film The Second Best Marigold Hotel, which was held at the University of Southampton.
Guests were greeted at the venue by colourful tuk tuks, before being treated to a champagne reception with entertainment from traditional Bollywood dancers.
The evening also saw the launch of Damaris’ Silver Screen initiative that, in partnership with Rotary GBI and Age UK, will take isolated older people to see the film with the proceeds from the Gala fundraiser.
Eve Conway, Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland’s Vice President Elect (for 2016/17), commented: “The evening was a fantastic way to celebrate Rotary’s 110th birthday by launching the Rotary Red Carpet Gala Screening in Britain and Ireland. The initiative will be making a real difference to the lives of isolated elderly people, and the project is part of the commitment of Rotarians who are actively involved in helping the local community and supporting those in need, both at home and overseas.
“The project was a brainchild of myself and Nick Pollard from Damaris when I told him about a similar successful scheme of Gala Screenings held by Rotarians in France. We then talked about creating a project to help 5 million isolated, older people in the UK who hardly ever go out, and our aim is to re-engage the elderly to go the cinema again and make friends.”
To help celebrate Rotary’s birthday Rotary Wessex organised a special cake to be designed and made for the gala, which was kindly donated by the local Waitrose.
Businesses and Rotary Clubs interested in finding out more about the Rotary Gala Screening, and how they can get involved in the project should visit www.damaris.org/rotary for further information.
