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Rotary Young Citizen Awards 2022

Posted by on May 30, 2022

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.

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Local artist offers support for Ukrainian refugees

Posted by on May 30, 2022

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)

Posted in: Chesterfield, International

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Abbeydale Rotary Welcomes Guests from BOCHUM-RENAISSANCE Rotary Club

Posted by on March 30, 2022

Abbeydale Rotarians will be hosting visitors from their twin club in Bochum during May.

There will be a wonderful opportunity for other rotarians (and guests) to meet with the visitors at a celebration dinner on 28th May.

The dinner will be provided by the Whirlow Farm Trust who specialise in home grown/reared food. (See poster for booking details.)

PDF:

Whirlow Farm Dinner – 28.5.22Download

Posted in: Abbeydale

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Rotary response to Ukraine crisis

Posted by on March 1, 2022

It is a tragic and sad time for the people of Ukraine and the world. 

At Rotary, we are deeply concerned by the devastating situation in Ukraine and the escalating loss of life and humanitarian hardship there. Continued military action against Ukraine will not only devastate the region, but also risk spreading tragic consequences across Europe and the world.

As one of the world’s largest humanitarian organisations, we have made peace the cornerstone of our global mission.

Following a meeting this afternoon with Rotary International General Secretary, John Hewko, which included more than 40 Rotarian leaders from Ukraine and neighbouring countries, plans have been put in place for Rotary to respond and support the horrific and ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

On a global level, a central disaster response fund is being launched, which will be coordinated through The Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees. Our efforts will principally focus on refugees escaping the war.

There are many existing infrastructures that we can work through to reach those most in need, including the Rotary Action Group for Refugees and Intercountry Committees.

Collaboration has also begun with ShelterBox, our global partner in disaster response, and they are in direct contact with Rotarians in Eastern Europe. As well as ShelterBox, Rotary is also in contact with other emergency response organisations including Red Cross and the United Nations to ensure our efforts are complementary and coordinated.

In Great Britain and Ireland, we have established an operational taskforce, which will be led by Allan Smith, Rotary GB&I Humanitarian Disaster Response Lead. This will give Rotarians, who are always so quick to respond with support in situations such as this, a central point of contact and assistance through their District International Team.

In addition, we have our own Rotary GB&I Disaster Recovery Trust, which can also act as a vehicle for channelling donations that can be used for the recovery phase of this crisis. An appeal will be established in due course.

Rotary International will be communicating directly with all members around the world, and will advise Rotarians on how they can provide humanitarian relief via My Rotary.

Our thoughts are very much with the people of Ukraine, and our fellow Rotary members. Rotary will do everything in its power to bring aid, support and peace to the region.

Posted in: Emergency, International, Rotary International

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AQUABOX – TONGA AND THE PHILIPPINES NEED CLEAN WATER

Posted by on January 25, 2022

Following recent disasters both Tonga and The Philippines are in desperate need of clean drinking water.

At this time of the year in Southeast Asia, disasters seem to come thick and fast. Aquabox are currently looking at ways to send water filters to both Tonga and the Philippines.

In late December Super Typhoon Rai hit the Visayas and Mindanao Islands in the Philippine leaving millions of people in need of assistance and over half a million people without access to clean water and sanitation. Typhoon Rai brought torrential rains, violent winds, landslides, and storm surges that cut off water services and contaminated reservoirs and water sources. It compromised access to safe water and sanitation facilities, heightening the risk of communicable disease outbreaks. Many affected people are now subsisting on springs and hand pumps for water, many of which are reported to have been contaminated by flood and sea waters.

Then in January, the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai underwater volcano, near Tonga generated tsunami waves up to 49 feet (15 meters) high that hit the west coast of Tonga’s main island. It also covered the whole island in a 2cm layer of fine ash. All 100,000 inhabitants were affected. Widespread stagnant pools of salt water, coupled with the volcanic ash, are polluting drinking water sources, according to the Red Cross. “Securing access to safe drinking water is a critical immediate priority,” pointing to the mounting risk of diarrhoea and diseases such as cholera.

Aquabox is currently working with its partners on the feasibility of establishing safe and secure distribution routes to both disaster areas. We are planning to ship a combination of Family Filters and Community Filters. The filters will enable more than 16,000 people (8,000 in each area) to have clean, safe water for drinking, cooking, and washing but with airfreight costs, the shipment will cost the charity £30,000.

Aquabox needs your help with the cost of these humanitarian aid shipments.

We have expanded the Just Giving page to cover both disasters: www.justgiving.com/campaign/Aquabox-Philippines-TyphoonRai or you can donate through our webpage www.aquabox.org/donate-online

Any surplus donations will be put towards similar disasters in the future.

PLEASE HELP US HELP THEM

www.aquabox.org

#aquabox #cleandrinkingwater #charity #rotary #humanitarianaid #tonga #philippines #District1220

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Posted in: Aquabox

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Could business partners help your Christmas campaign?

Posted by on October 17, 2021

Could your club do with a helping hand on your Santa’s Sleigh this Christmas. The Business Partnership team will work with the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce to canvas for volunteers from the business community to support with your Christmas activities. Contact partners@rotary1220.org today and let them know what you would like help with.

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Haiti earthquake – more aid desperately needed!

Posted by on September 24, 2021

AQUABOX has responded promptly to the devastating earthquake which hit Haiti on August 14. Our volunteer teams immediately concentrated on stepping up production of Aquabox water filters, and an initial consignment of both community filters and family filters left our depot in Derbyshire on September 17, to join an Air France air freight consignment to the Haitian capital Port au Prince.

This Aquabox consignment will ensure that thousands of people in Haiti – one of the poorest countries in the world – will at least have access to clean, safe water for drinking, for cooking and for washing. But the sheer scale of the disaster means that much more aid is desperately needed.

The 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit the Tiburon peninsula, about 150km west of Port au Prince, at 8.29am on August 14. The scale of the damage is horrifying – it is the worst natural disaster the world has seen this year. As of September 7, at least 2,248 people were confirmed to have been killed, and the number of injured was estimated at 12,000 and rising. At least 136,800 buildings were damaged or destroyed, and more than 900 aftershocks were recorded in the following weeks.

Les Cayes, Haiti’s third-largest city, was the closest to the quake, and suffered massive damage. On August 18, the Haitian Civil Protection General Directorate reported that more than 60,700 homes had been destroyed, and 76,100 others were damaged. At least 53 medical facilities suffered partial damage, six were totally destroyed, and the quake damaged or destroyed more than 300 schools.

The Haitian government immediately declared a state of emergency, and on August 30 Unicef reported that that at least 650,000 people – 250,000 of them children – were in need of humanitarian aid. An estimated 81,000 Haitians had no access to safe drinking water.

Faced with numbers like this, you might think that you couldn’t possibly make a difference. You would be wrong! One Aquabox family filter costs about £30, and has the capacity to process up to half a million litres of water over its life.

The basic human need is about four litres a day to sustain life – so just one Aquabox family filter can provide life-saving water for scores of people, day after day, week after week. The larger community filters, intended for use in schools, hospitals and community centres, can help to save thousands of lives. And because Aquabox is run almost entirely by unpaid volunteers, nearly all your donation goes directly to making more water filters, and shipping them to where they are needed most.

Will you help us? We need to assemble and pack more filters, and to get them to desperate communities in Haiti as fast as possible. Aquabox can’t do anything about the massive destruction or the thousands of injured people in Haiti, but we can ensure that desperate Haitians at least have access to clean, safe water. Because without that clean, safe water, in a very short space of time nothing else matters.

Please support this vital work. Go to https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/Aquabox-Haiti2021 and give whatever you can. Thank you!

Posted in: Aquabox

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Sheffield Vulcan Rotary lighting a beacon for the Queen

Posted by on August 15, 2021

Sheffield Vulcan Rotary are pleased to report that The Queen’s Pageant Master, Bruno Peeks, has informed them that they are the first Club in Rotary GB&I to register with him for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Event, and will be lighting a beacon on June 2nd 2022 at 10pm to celebrate it.

It will be a private event. Rotary GB&I hope that 70 Clubs will be involved, one for each year of the Queen’s reign. Registration with him, automatically records our involvement in a book to be presented to Her Majesty.

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