Denby Dale & District Rotary Club came up with a novel way of raising funds after the cancellation of its annual golf day.
Since 2012, the golf days have raised over £34,000, of which over £21,000 has been donated to the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice in Huddersfield.
With this year’s event a victim of COVID-19, the club launched the Rotary Charity Golf Challenge where golfers could play at any course.
The result was nearly 200 golfers all around the UK and as far away as Australia took part.
Denby Dale & District Rotary President Gil Davies said: “Our annual golf day was just one of thousands of fund-raisers to be cancelled this year, but we were determined to try to generate some much needed revenue to be able to donate bearing in mind current restrictions and so the golf challenge was created.
Photo shows Denby Dale & District Rotary President Gil Davies and Rotarian Geoff Headey with the cheque for £2,000 with Ryan Grint, Regional Fundraiser at Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice and Julian Goodall who organised a group that raised over £500.
He added: “The response was excellent and has enabled us to donate £2000 to the hospice, £500 to Carers UK, with additional funds for other charities too.”
Ryan Grint, Regional Fundraiser at Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice said: “This year, 2020, has proven to be an incredibly challenging year for fund-raising, with many events and challenges having to be postponed or cancelled due to the pandemic however the Denby Dale & District Rotary Club weren’t going to let that stop them.”
“It was fantastic to see the way the group adapted their plans in light of the current climate and were able to pull off an alternative to their annual golf day, raising an equally fantastic amount for Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice too!
This year, 2020, has proven to be an incredibly challenging year for fund-raising, with many events and challenges having to be postponed or cancelled due to the pandemic however the Denby Dale & District Rotary Club weren’t going to let that stop them.”
“We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped to organise and who took part in their event, your support is hugely appreciated and helps us to continue to care for local children and families here in West Yorkshire.”
The event was such a success that it is likely to be held again in 2021.
Cambridgeshire Rotarian, Elaine Sefton, braved all sorts of conditions for an autumnal assault on Ben Nevis – Britain’s highest mountain.
Supported by partner Ken Billington, also a member of Huntingdon Rotary, Elaine climbed the 4,412-feet high peak to raise funds for Survival International.
The charity exists to protect tribal peoples around the world, notably their human rights.
At times, Elaine faced the full force of a blizzard is climbing Ben Nevis. “Going down with the full force of the blizzard working against me was tough,” she said. “I was trying to keep my face from being battered by the ice pounding on the skin as I started climbing very carefully over the wet rocks and stones.
“I found out on the news much later that the north-west of Scotland had received the tail-end of Storm Omar. And I was climbing down Ben Nevis as it hit us. Typical!”
For many Rotary clubs, the pandemic restrictions has put paid to many of the Santa runs this December.
However, this Christmas the Rotary clubs of Abingdon & Oxford Spires are working together to bring the Abingdon Rotary Jingle Bell Jog.
The Rotary Jingle Bell Jog is in aid of the charity OK Our Kids when people can walk, cycle or run either 2km or 5km in whatever way they can, but in a jingle bell themed fancy dress.
The idea is to complete the distance in your own surroundings – either at home on a treadmill, out in the streets, or an escape to the country.
The event is open for all ages and abilities from December 19th to January 1st.
There will be an award for the best and most creative fancy dress and every runner will get a medal for taking part.
Organiser, Debs Axtell, said: “Participants can send in a photo of themselves doing the event in fancy dress so we can judge the winner with, if possible, a screenshot of the distance they have achieved.
“There are two categories for the fancy dress awards, children and adults.
“So either in the gym, or at home, or out and about, this is going to be a fun event for everyone and hopefully raise a few festive spirits.”
The cost of entry is ÂŁ10 and for more details log onto: https://rotaryjinglebelljog.dojiggy.io/rotaryjinglebelljog
