Southampton communities are pedalling to success, making a splash and making healthy choices, thanks to a local partnership with Rotary.
Hamble Community Sports College and the Rotary Club of Southampton East are working together to provide sporting and health activity to local schools and communities. The project, dedicated to improving education and welfare, has been in place since 2009 and won an Olympic London 2012 Inspire Mark for its 2012 Olympic Year Programme.
Six local schools are heading to Hamble Community Sports College during the summer to enjoy the sports facilities available as part of the Olympic Celebration. This event is supported by Rotary business partners who are funding the transport, publicity and other costs of the event, especially in the current tough economic climate.
The local community will be in a spin during the Paul Coates Memorial Cycle Day, 7th July at the Royal Victoria Country Park,enabling all to take a look at cycling as a healthy lifestyle choice and supporting cancer charities. Later in the year in October in the Hamble Community Sports Complex swimming pool, teams and individuals will join in the Annual Swimathon to raise money for their own charities, Hamble College’s support of Ferndale
Springwell School, which provides caring education for children with complex social and educational needs, will also being joining in the fun. This is the second year the school has participated, further opening up opportunities for everyone in the community.
As if these activities were not enough, a special ceremony is taking place to say thank you to the local business partners who have made the 2012 project possible. Certificates will be presented by local civic leaders, a local sports personality and District Governor
The Rotary connection does not stop there, Hamble Community Sports College Interact Club won the 2012 RIBI Best Interact Project Award for its support of Ferndale Township School in South Africa. The club has a team of Young Games Makers supporting the Sailing Olympics in Portland and Weymouth in July/August. One of the Interactors has also been selected to be a Torch Bearer on the July 14th 2012 Southampton leg of the Olympic Flame Torch Relay.
