Ravenshead and Blidworth

Santa’s wave brings cheer to kids – and to foodbanks too

Great news for the children of Ravenshead and Blidworth! Santa has announced that he will be doing his local rounds this year but has asked children to take special care and wave from the safety of their homes when he comes to their street.

While Santa’s reindeer build their strength for their big night on Christmas Eve, local Ravenshead and Blidworth Rotary Club have stepped in to help pull the sleigh as Santa makes his tour of the villages between the 7th and 17th December.

“Sadly,” says Santa, “I won’t be able to hand out sweets in the way I normally do, but I will be giving an extra cheery wave as I pass by.”

Full details of Santa’s timetable and route are available at https://www.wavetosanta.org/routes

Vital help for local foodbanks

Local foodbanks especially are hoping that residents will show their support by making donations online to the Rotary Santa appeal.  Says local Rotary Club President Richard Lord, “People are always so generous when putting money into the buckets as Santa makes his rounds.  This year is different but donations are needed more than ever and we implore people to go online and give their support at https://www.wavetosanta.org/donate”.

Much of the money raised by Santa will go directly to local foodbanks which are under greater pressure than ever this year. Rotary has long-standing links with two organisations which are desperate for their help.

Between them so far in 2020, Sherwood Community Church and The Social Action Hub have received donations from Rotary totalling over £2600.  Money has come directly from the Ravenshead and Blidworth Club and via a regional Rotary4foodbanks programme which bulk buys food at discount prices.  The scheme supports around 50 foodbanks across the East Midlands and South Yorkshire.

With the help of donations from Rotary, The Social Action Hub based in Rainworth has delivered 16,633 meals to local people and families in need since the start of the first lockdown.  A food action scheme run by Sherwood Forest Community Church in Blidworth has helped 291 families so far this year with over 1500 meals delivered.  They are looking to brighten Christmas for many by providing 100 hampers to local families in the next couple of weeks.

“There is no way we could provide the vital help we do for some of the neediest in our community without the donations made by Rotary Club,” says the Hub’s food share co-ordinator Amelia Betts.

Both organisations report a flood of new clients seeking their support. Explains Sherwood Community Church’s Mark Himsworth: “We don’t operate any means-testing of those seeking our support – we just help everyone who is clearly in need.  And we are seeing many new first time users of our foodbank services, people who previously would never have imagined they would need to use foodbanks to prevent their children from going hungry.”

Mark Himsworth receives one of the Rotary4Foodbanks cases from Santa

Both Mark and Amelia expect the demand for their services to increase in the New Year.  Says Mark, “People are always generous around Christmas time and we appreciate that, but the problem is going to get worse from January as redundancies increase and the furlough scheme ends.  Rotary’s long-term commitment to support our work means so much to organisations like ours and the people we help.”

More than just food support

Both charities do so much more than just providing food.  They offer moral and practical support for some of the most isolated and vulnerable in society.  Mark gives an example:

“Single mum Mary (not her real name) had moved to Blidworth with her children.  She knew no-one and was totally socially isolated.  She has serious health issues and needed support.  She contacted us and we stepped in to help. We provided food, helped get her children into the local school and used our Blidworth on the Move transport scheme to ensure she could attend hospital appointments.  When she had to spend time in hospital, it was us she turned to, to arrange for her own mum to come from out of the area to look after her children.  It is a holistic approach to caring for the most vulnerable in our community.  Donations from Rotary play a vital part in keeping that service going.”

Make your donations here…

To donate to the Rotary Club appeal visit https://www.wavetosanta.org/donate or to make a donation to Rotary4foodbanks visit – https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/rotary4foodbanks

You can support Rotary4Foodbanks through our JustGiving page

While Santa’s reindeer build their strength for their big night on Christmas Eve, local Ravenshead and Blidworth Rotary Club have stepped in to help pull the sleigh as Santa makes his tour of the villages between the 7th and 17th December.

“Sadly,” says Santa, “I won’t be able to hand out sweets in the way I normally do, but I will be giving an extra cheery wave as I pass by.”

Full details of Santa’s timetable and route are available at https://www.wavetosanta.org/routes

Vital help for local foodbanks

Local foodbanks especially are hoping that residents will show their support by making donations online to the Rotary Santa appeal.  Says local Rotary Club President Richard Lord, “People are always so generous when putting money into the buckets as Santa makes his rounds.  This year is different but donations are needed more than ever and we implore people to go online and give their support at https://www.wavetosanta.org/donate”.

Much of the money raised by Santa will go directly to local foodbanks which are under greater pressure than ever this year. Rotary has long-standing links with two organisations which are desperate for their help.

Between them so far in 2020, Sherwood Community Church and The Social Action Hub have received donations from Rotary totalling over £2600.  Money has come directly from the Ravenshead and Blidworth Club and via a regional Rotary4foodbanks programme which bulk buys food at discount prices.  The scheme supports around 50 foodbanks across the East Midlands and South Yorkshire.

With the help of donations from Rotary, The Social Action Hub based in Rainworth has delivered 16,633 meals to local people and families in need since the start of the first lockdown.  A food action scheme run by Sherwood Forest Community Church in Blidworth has helped 291 families so far this year with over 1500 meals delivered.  They are looking to brighten Christmas for many by providing 100 hampers to local families in the next couple of weeks.

“There is no way we could provide the vital help we do for some of the neediest in our community without the donations made by Rotary Club,” says the Hub’s food share co-ordinator Amelia Betts.

Both organisations report a flood of new clients seeking their support. Explains Sherwood Community Church’s Mark Himsworth: “We don’t operate any means-testing of those seeking our support – we just help everyone who is clearly in need.  And we are seeing many new first time users of our foodbank services, people who previously would never have imagined they would need to use foodbanks to prevent their children from going hungry.”

Both Mark and Amelia expect the demand for their services to increase in the New Year.  Says Mark, “People are always generous around Christmas time and we appreciate that, but the problem is going to get worse from January as redundancies increase and the furlough scheme ends.  Rotary’s long-term commitment to support our work means so much to organisations like ours and the people we help.”

More than just food support

Both charities do so much more than just providing food.  They offer moral and practical support for some of the most isolated and vulnerable in society.  Mark gives an example:

“Single mum Mary (not her real name) had moved to Blidworth with her children.  She knew no-one and was totally socially isolated.  She has serious health issues and needed support.  She contacted us and we stepped in to help. We provided food, helped get her children into the local school and used our Blidworth on the Move transport scheme to ensure she could attend hospital appointments.  When she had to spend time in hospital, it was us she turned to, to arrange for her own mum to come from out of the area to look after her children.  It is a holistic approach to caring for the most vulnerable in our community.  Donations from Rotary play a vital part in keeping that service going.”

Make your donations here…

To donate to the Rotary Club appeal visit https://www.wavetosanta.org/donate or to make a donation to Rotary4foodbanks visit – https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/rotary4foodbanks

Posted in: Ravenshead and Blidworth, Rotary4Foodbanks

Leave a Comment (0) →

New Members

Amber Valley (again)

One week after three new members joined Amber Valley as joint Presidents Glyn Allsop and Howard Doran welcomed Graham Sisson. Glyn said, “It’s always great to welcome new members but four in two weeks is a real pleasure.”

Graham whose background is engineering at Rolls Royce lives in Belper. Known to a number of Rotarians through his amateur musical career, he is also a keen golfer at Horsley Lodge Golf Club.  Graham said, “I look forward to helping with the many Rotary projects and getting to know members better.”

Welcome Graham.

Joint Presidents Glyn Allsop and Howard Doran welcome Graham Sisson (centre)

Amber Valley

Rotary Amber Valley recently installed three new members.

Joint Presidents Glyn Allsop and Howard Doran welcomes Chris and Keith Blackman along with Vera Dilks.

Vera Is a well know local Ripley woman having been a teacher at Ripley Academy, and Inner Wheel Chair, whilst Chris and Keith have recently moved to Derbyshire from the South.

Each were presented with Rotary membership certificates by President Howard.

Ravenshead & Blidworth

Jan 29th 2020 we were fortunate to welcome two new members to our club; Kamal and Lorraine. President Elect Richard performed the simple ceremony and presented each with a new member welcome pack and badges.

Being Rotarians Kamal and Lorraine are able to attend Rotary meetings and meet Rotarians throughout the world.

Posted in: Amber Valley, Ravenshead and Blidworth, Uncategorized

Leave a Comment (0) →

Ravenshead Walk and Soup Lunch

Saturday 8th October 2016

Rotary Club of Ravenshead and Blidworth & Inner Wheel of Ravenshead

Once again we are holding our walk and lunch. There will be a choice of two attractive routes, one of just under three miles and one of five and a half.  There will be an option of minibus transport back from the last check point. This will be followed by a lunch of soup (several choices), dessert and coffee.

The start is any time between 10.30 and 11.15am at Ravens Lodge, the Scout headquarters on Main Road, Ravenshead (B6020).

The price is only £7.50 (children under 12 half price).  Everyone is welcome including children with an adult and well behaved dogs (although dogs are not allowed on the bus or in lunch venue).

If you wish to join us please phone Bob or Sandra Jackson on 01623 793978  (or email bob.jackson@ravenshead-rotary.org.uk) or Mike Lee on 01623 409893.

This is a social event but any profit we do make will go to AQUABOX  to provide clean water  in areas of disaster and other international Rotary and Inner Wheel charities.

 

Posted in: Ravenshead and Blidworth

Leave a Comment (0) →

Pool Party raises funds for D.A.R.E.

Over £1,000 was raised in aid of D.A.R.E. ( Drug Abuse Resistance Education) by the Rotary Club of Ravenshead and Blidworth at a Pool Party organised at their home by Drs Raj and Qudsia Chandran.

Through the D.A.R.E programme, every year, over 7,000 Nottinghamshire school children are taught the competencies and skills they need to live safe, healthy and productive lives in a world where drugs are commonplace.

Pictured are Dr Raj Chandran who organised the event, Ravenshead and Blidworth President Mike Lee and Richard Goad of D.A.R.E.

Pictured are Dr Raj Chandran who organised the event, Ravenshead and Blidworth President Mike Lee and Richard Goad of D.A.R.E.

Posted in: Ravenshead and Blidworth

Leave a Comment (0) →

A walk in the woods plus lunch, October 20th

You are invited to join the Rotary Club of Ravenshead and Blidworth and the Ravenshead Inner Wheel on the 20th October 2012 for a walk on a pleasant route, mainly through woodland, followed by a homemade soup (with choices), desert and coffee/tea lunch. This year we are offering a choice of two routes, both starting from the same place. One is just under 4 miles and the other just over 5 miles. You can choose on the day. There is a coffee stop available on both routes.

It is suitable for walkers of all abilities and children are welcome although they must be in the care of a responsible adult. well behaved dogs are also welcome.

The venue is Ravens Lodge Scout Headquarters on Main Road, Ravenshead (B6020 road, next to the Little John Inn). You can start at any time between 10:30 and 11am

The cost is £7.00. Children under 12 are half price. If you do not wish to walk you are welcome to join us for lunch from 12:30 onwards.

We need to know the numbers attending and so if you wish to take part please contact Bob or Sandra Jackson on 01623 793978 or email bob.jackson@ravenshead-rotary.org.uk or Mike Lee on 01623 409893.

Everyone who has been previously seemed to enjoy the walks and so we look forward to seeing you on the day. Although this is intended as a social event any profit we do make will go to our Rotary and Inner Wheel charities.

Bob Jackson

Posted in: Events, Ravenshead and Blidworth

Leave a Comment (0) →