Market Rasen Rotarians, led and organised by Rotarian Dianne Tuckett, were grateful for the kindness of Tesco in Market Rasen, allowing Rotarians to collect at their store, just prior to Christmas, 2023. Equally, Rotarians were grateful for the generosity of shoppers at the store, who contributed a massive £586.77.
Rotarian Dianne, chair of the community Service team at Rasen Rotary, then organised a hand over of the collected sum to the fund raiser, Tina Doyley, at the Hospice who gratefully received the cheque on behalf of Andy’s, the children’s section of the Hospice.
The cheque was presented by Rotarian David Mason on April 4th.
Tina Doyley from Andy’s with Market Rasen Rotarian David Mason
Andy’s is open to all appropriately needy children from across greater Lincolnshire, and so very appropriate as a receiver of support from Market Rasen Rotarians. Hospices depend largely on donations for their existence and their operation.
Will it, won’t it? —-Were the words being passed around Market Rasen Rotarians today as they tried to fit all their collected items for TWAM into the van sent to collect our goods.
TWAM, Tools with a Mission, are taking all the loaded goods to their premises in Rugby, where the load will be sorted, cleaned where necessary, sharpened, checked for safety if electrical goods etc.
Once ready for use again, the items will be packed into tradesperson’s packs ready for dispatch to various locations in several African countries. There is an ambition that 20 x 40 foot containers of tradesmen’s packs will be sent to Africa by TWAM this year, enabling hundreds of individuals and groups to start their own businesses, using the tools , equipment and supplies provided by the generosity of people in the UK.
This consignment, from Market Rasen Rotary, included as usual, many sewing machines as always, but thanks to the generosity of several sewing shops, seamstresses and sewing groups in the area, a tremendous amount of cloth, haberdashery, wool, threads etc was included. We always welcome more donations.
Until we announce the next on site collection in the press and on facebook, please contact marketrasenrotary@twam.uk or phone 07802279728.
What do we need? Knitting and sewing machines; Haberdashery, cloth, cottons, wool; Working Computers, Builders and Ground worker’s tools; Plumbers, Carpentry, Electricians, Mechanics, and Agricultural tools. Also screws, nuts/bolts/nails. Also gardening equipment (but not mowers).We also need working mechanical/electrical tools for all purposes.
Market Rasen Rotary is raising money as part of a national Rotary project to send generators to Ukraine. Over £126,000 has already been raised, plus £5,000 by Market Rasen.
Back in October, Market Rasen Rotary produced, with the help of Ukrainian mothers and daughters, who are living locally to us a 16 minute Video to appeal for donations to their Generator purchase appeal. Following the completion of the video, they hosted a Ukrainian lunch to which some 12 Ukrainian guests came along to see the launch of the appeal (pictures below).
Since the start of the appeal £5,000 raised by Market Rasen has been forwarded to the Marlow Thames Rotary, who have passed it on to Tony Preston of the RC of Ukraine Unity. Tony purchases equipment, packs the purchases in donated vehicles, (4wd and ambulances) which he delivers in convoy to the RC of Lviv, who distribute the goods and the vehicles within Ukraine. He is taking these convoys with donations from Rotary Clubs from around the world approximately every month.
In order to continue this fantastic effort Market Rasen are calling on other Rotary Clubs, Rotarians and businesses to assist with this well organised project.
Any donations can be made via https://www.justgiving.com/rotaryclub-marketrasen
The Centre for Aging Better has launched an image library. Photos in the library, which depict older people in non-stereotypical ways, are available to download for free.
They say;
We’ve created the first free library showing positive and realistic images of over 50s in a bid to challenge negative and stereotypical views of older age. The photos show a more realistic depiction of ageing – to help tackle ageism and challenge the idea that all older people are frail and vulnerable. The library, which contains over 3,000 images and is regularly updated, offers journalists, organisations and individuals a wide selection of images.
Photos in the library are free for use across your presentations and websites, and they cover themes related to ageing such as health, homes and employment. You can access a preview of our image library below. You can also download our simple guide to using the image library and guidance around commissioning age-positive images.
The library is available at https://www.agewithoutlimits.org/image-library
Pixabay
Another good source of free images is https://pixabay.com but be careful on this site, the library of free images is interspersed with paid-for images from iStock photo
Abbeydale Rotary and Inner Wheel are entering a May Day virtual balloon race to raise funds for Aquabox, Whirlow Farm Trust and Sheffield Young Carers. It is a virtual race run by ecoracing using computer algorithms to determine the balloons positions.
Our race launches at midday on 1st May 2023 from Chicago and lasts 7 days.
Balloons can be purchased for £3 and you can buy as many as you like. You can customise your balloon’s shape, colour andhelium content and then track your customised balloons throughout the 7 day race as it moves subject to real life weather conditions.
The race is open to other organisations as well as Abbeydale Rotary.( ecoracing provide prizes to the overall winners:
1st Prize – £100 Cash
2nd Prize – Amazon Alexa/echo Dot 4th Generation)
Additionally we will also be providing prizes and vouchers for the 3 winning balloons purchased in support of our Abbeydale causes. For example Whirlow Farm will provide a Whirlow hamper for the competition.
You can also purchase a balloon as a gift for friends and family. So here is what we want you to do. Go to Ecoracing – Virtual Balloon Race for Charity & Fundraising
Register/login
Buy balloons through our page on the link(only £3 each). https://ecoracing.co/cause/rotary-club-of-abbeydale-trust-fund2419/
Decorate your balloon and choose what helium content and thickness may get your balloon to travel the furthest. This can be modified before the race.
Watch the race start on 1st May at Midday.
Login to track your balloons on their journey and see if any are in a winning position as many times as you want over the 7 days
Our fundraising target is £1500 to be divided by the 3 charities we are supporting.
Report by Val Leivers regarding DG Martyn’s project to empower girls in India
I have recently returned from my first visit to the school in Secunderabad since COVID and was able to meet the students and staff in their well-equipped vocational room. All the girls were busy and obviously really enjoying learning their new skills in tailoring.
I was impressed with the two teachers, who are also professional tailors when not instructing in school.
We currently have 42 girls on the course, 25 in year 9 and 17 in year 8 and it is hoped to increase the numbers before the end of the year.
The girls thought it was funny that I had difficulty using a treadle machine as I usually use an electric machine or hand sew. The green sari blouse I am wearing here was made for me by the girls.
The students receive a good academic education alongside their vocational instruction which provides them with valuable employment skills for the future. The students are learning all the basic tailoring skills needed and are already making clothes for themselves and family.
They can now make items for sale, such as cushions and bags to raise funds for the school.
When the first group complete their academic education next year, some may decide to start their own business. Who knows, some may be ready to teach alongside the teachers in the school?
I was delighted when, just before I left India, the girls presented me with a dress, shown below, which they had designed and tailored for me. Someone must have told them that my favorite colour is blue!
Funds are still needed to sponsor girls who are waiting to be included on the course and take this excellent project into the future. Your support really has empowered these girls and given them a future, both academically and vocationally.
If your club would like a face-to-face presentation about this and other projects we have completed in India, I will be delighted to receive an invitation from you!
On behalf of Dr Prasad, the staff, the girls, and DG Martyn, I thank you for your support, it is really appreciated by so many.
KIDS AGAINST PLASTIC WIN FIRST ROTARY YOUNG CITIZEN ENVIRONMENTALIST AWARD FOLLOWING NOMINATION BY CARLTON ROTARY
Teenage sisters Amy Meek, aged 18, and Ella, aged 16, from Nottingham, who are campaigning for positive change to reduce single-use plastic, are the winners of the first ever Rotary Young Citizen Environmentalist Award 2022.
They set up their own charity Kids Against Plastic, aged 12 and 10, aimed at helping young people (and not so young people) to learn about environmental issues such as plastic pollution and the climate crisis. They now have more than 1,400 “Plastic Clever Schools” signed up to take action to reduce the amount of single-use plastics they use.
Through free resources, initiatives and their KAP Club, they aim to inspire and empower others into action. Here’s their website: www.kidsagainstplastic.co.uk
Amy said: “We have always had a love and appreciation for the planet and the environment which is one of the big reasons why we were driven to help protect it from the massive issue of plastic pollution and that’s why we set up our charity Kids Against Plastic.”
Amy and Ella received their award from BBC TV Presenter Ellie Crisell at the Rotary Young Citizen Awards Ceremony at the Volunteer Expo, hosted by Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland at the NEC in Birmingham on 7th May. There were nominated by Carlton Rotary (Greater Nottingham).
The sisters said: “It’s such an honour and a surprise to have received the Rotary Young Citizen Environmentalist award! We’re so grateful for all of Rotary’s support of our charity and its initiatives – from working with our local district 1220 on our Plastic Clever Schools initiative, to speaking at last year’s Volunteer Expo – and we look forward to continuing our collaboration in the future. Thank you Rotary, and congratulations to the incredible other winners!”
Amy and Ella received British Empire Medals (BEM) in the New Year Honours for their voluntary service to the natural environment. Their efforts to reduce plastic pollution have been praised in Parliament and the sisters have also presented Newsround, Springwatch Live Academy and a TED talk to spread their message far and wide.
This new Rotary Young Citizen Environmentalist Award reflects Rotary International’s new area of focus on supporting the Environment. The Rotary Young Citizen Awards are celebrating their 15th Anniversary this year. They were started in 2007 to celebrate the amazing achievements of inspirational young people across Great Britain and Ireland, many of whom have assumed important responsibilities at a very young age. Nominations are put forward by Rotary Clubs.
Bring the Family for a great Fun Day out at the 4th Annual Classic & Heritage Vehicle Show hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Derby South and Derby Satellite.
Free Entry to the show in the beautiful setting of Carsington Water Nr Ashbourne(DE6 1ST)
Chesterfield based artist, Anastasia Paskova, has been heartbroken by what has been happening in Ukraine since the Russian invasion, and the plight of refugees who have had to leave their homes.
Anastasia moved to England 10 years ago from Estonia. She is part Ukrainian through her parents. She told us that, as she listened to the news, she felt that she wanted to do something to help but didn’t know what. The young artist did, however, start working on a painting which expressed her hopes and feelings.
That piece of work has now been completed and Anastasia will now be auctioning the painting to raise funds for Ukrainian relief. Anastasia said to us: “We live in a small flat with our 4 year old daughter, and I could not think what I could possibly do to help. Then I thought that, by selling one of my paintings I could perhaps do something at least. I would love to feel that we had been able to do just something that would benefit those poor people.”
Anastasia wanted to ensure that any money raised would find its way directly to where it was needed so her business coach, Paul Davies, who is a member of Chesterfield Rotary, suggested that she send the money via the Rotary organisation which has local members working on the ground in the countries neighbouring Ukraine. Paul explained “Rotary is an international organisation with members and clubs in most countries around the world. Our members in eastern Europe are working directly with refugees and we know that every penny raised will find its way to where it is needed.
The painting titled “Praying for Peace” is a 40cm x 40cm acrylic on canvas painting, and it will be auctioned via the website Galabid over the coming weeks: www.galabid.com/rotaryukraine .
There will also be 10 limited edition and numbered prints available for sale with all proceeds going to Ukrainian relief.
Chesterfield MP, Toby Perkins, is supporting Anastasia’s efforts. He said “Like everyone I have been moved by the terrible events in Ukraine. It is wonderful to see people like Anastasia doing something practical to provide help to those people in such desperate need.”
Anastasia Paskova holding her picture “Praying for Peace” along with Toby Perkins MP (left) and Paul Davies of Chesterfield Rotary (right)
