Disaster Aid UK

Keynote speaker Craig Roberts

Last night Monday 2nd October our Keynote speaker was Craig Roberts President of Newton le Willows Rotary, and a Trustee of Disaster Aid UK and Ireland.

Craig gave us an insight into his recent visits on behalf of Disaster Aid, into the February earthquakes in Türkiye.

Like many other Humanitarian organisations Disaster Aid collaborates and works with both local and international organisations, governments, and other NGOs to maximise the impact of their relief and recovery efforts.

Disaster Aid UK’s primary mission is to alleviate the suffering of disaster-affected communities by providing essential aid and support. Their objectives include delivering emergency relief and helping with the long-term recovery efforts like providing education and training to communities to build resilience against future disasters.

Like many humanitarian organizations, Disaster Aid UK, Disaster Aid sent two experienced DART members; Craig and Steve to the Samandağ area of Türkiye and they are now safely home

On arrival, they toured the area with Rotary District Governor Emre Ozturk to understand the current situation and the local Rotary response.

In the immediate post-earthquake phase, Rotary had supplied tents, hot meals, and medical support to victims, before constructing a number of container cities in co-operation with local government officials. These include security, power, water, medical care, and a school. Each container is fully equipped for four people.

Concluding that these sites were well-funded and managed, Craig and Steve widened their search for suitable projects in conjunction with local Rotarians, UN Shelter Cluster referrals, Community Co-ordinators and a Samandağ Rotaract member, the sole remaining Rotary person in the city.

They homed in on informal tent settlements in the city of Samandağ, population 100,000, which had received limited support other than tents and food. Largely populated by Shia Arab Muslims, a minority group in Türkiye, along with its location at the end of a peninsula, meant that the town had been under-served by the government and NGOs. This was a typical target for Disaster Aid, going where other NGOs have not.

The team trialled a ‘voucher scheme’ in Iskenderun, enabling ladies from the camp to procure summer clothes for the children of their camp.

They identified eight informal camps and ascertained their needs which were sourced locally and delivered to the camps. This included kitchen equipment, a generator, clothing, nappies, mattresses and children’s books and toys.

Their country partners; Disaster Aid Europe, agreed to supply three Ujeta water filters which we were unable to source locally. This assisted, amongst others, an expectant mother to safely prepare baby formula. Training in their use and maintenance was given.

This deployment gave ‘a hand up, not a hand out’ to over 500 people and empowered women in a heavily affected area with an under-served minority. By asking the communities what help they needed, they were able to better attend to give the right support at the right time

Craig’s presentation was excellent, very interesting and informative and left us with much food for thought on how best to help.

'What We Do' Main Pages:

Canal Litter Pick

Clean up St Helens Canal

Family fun

Youth/Interact

Team Leader - Paul Winstanley

St Helens Rotary Club and St Helens Council are installing a dozen plaques around St Helens town centre to create a heritage trail to celebrate the town's proud history. Click on the QR Code

Keynote Speaker Patrick Tyrrell

Nominations @AccordWills Community Impact Award @prideofsthelens @sthelensrotary Wonderland Community Centre @ThinkFASTAcad And the Winner are St Helens Rotary @sthelensrotary @sthelensstar

World Parkinson’s Day takes place on 11 April every year to raise awareness of Parkinson's.

Polio Eradication

President Paul Winstanley pictured with D.G. Eric Russell

District Governor Eric Russell is pictured with President Paul Winstanley at our 98th Charter

Donations to Foodbank

Fun for all

Rotary St Helens in partnership with the Council and other key partners is creating a Heritage Trail around this famous Borough of ours.

Nick Moorcroft

Prestigious Award for Rotary St Helens

Fund Raising

Team Leader - Steve Culley

Joint production with Cowley International College Choir & St Helens Rotary of Heritage song

Rtn Bill Wright Tonight introduced Dot Prince & Joan Harkinson from the Hargreaves Dementia trust this is a local charity that supports people living with dementia and their Carers.

Tonight we had a presentation from Dot Prince & Joan Harkinson from the Hargreaves Dementia trust this is a local charity that supports people living with dementia and their Carers.

23rd February

Our first BBQ of the year

Max Woosey Jnr known as The Tent Boy

18th July 1923-18th July 2023

Rotary gets involved

Site Clean up

Keynote speaker Craig Roberts

Foundation

Team Leader - John Frodsham

Keynote speaker last night was John Tabern Chairman of the St Helens Town Deal Board

Latest member to our family of Rotary

Rotary St Helens receives prestigious award

Photo Archive

Photos which have been used in the website

The opening of the first St Helens Heritage Trail. St Helens Rotary in Partnership with St Helens Council has created and delivered the First trail at the Hotties. The opening ceremony took place at The World of Glass. Visitors with the use of QR code

Len Marlow, Peter Gregory and prospective member
Amy Thacker

Peter Gregory - Rainford Community First Responders Support Group

Achieving Duke of Edingburgh Award through Rotary volunteering

New Member for our Rotary Family. Local business man David Sheridan joins the team. Pictured with President Paul Winstanley and Membership Lead Simon Hairsnape

Keynote Speaker Professor Allan Hobson

Senior Citizens enjoying Blackpool Tower Ballroom

A day out at Blackpool

We visited a small village called Mhasla on a social visit.

Match with Widnes

We have adopted St Helens Central Station

An evening with Youth

Looking Glass Archive

All our yesterdays!

Rotary St Helens Mentioned in Houses of Parliament

Rotary St Helens approached Northern asking whether they could adopt Central Station. Northern agreed as they are always seeking for community groups to adopt their stations to help them to become a community station.

Walk in the Sand Dunes

Our Keynote speaker last night was Dan McGarvey of CHAMPS CIC.

Garden tidy up

The centre has been leased from St. Helens Council by local people who are all volunteers and have become a not for profit registered charity. We want the centre to be the hub of the community working to meet the residents ever changing need.

Pictures from the photobooth

Charity Run

Sponsor Kit

A warm welcome for those fleeing Ukraine

Our warm welcome has been supporting those seeking sanctuary in St Helens from every continent for almost seven years. This year they include those fleeing the war in the Ukraine.

Carole being Inducted into Rotary St Helens

The Club from time to time awards Paul Harris Fellowships to honour the founder of Rotary International and acknowledge the service which the recipients have given to community.

Bonfire & Fireworks

Induction of Helen

Come and Join us

Come and join us

Collection of usable coats for use by the needy

Tony our Keynote speaker with President Simon

Rtn Tony Beckett Chair of Youth activities in our District

A small village Rotary club called Mhasla on a social visit.

On a recent family visit Monoj paid a visit to a local Rotary club

Historical Event

24th October 2023 is World Polio Day

Membership

Team Leader - Simon Hairsnape

Simon Hairsnape elected St Helens Rotary Centenary President 2023-2024

Giving a voice

Public Relations

Team Leader - Keith Unsworth

Cleaning Up

Raising funds for Rotary Charities

Niall McCormack founder

Tanya Wilcock, St Helens Borough Council's Director of Communities

Our keynote speaker last night was Robbie Cormie, Operating Department Practitioner (ODP), and is a medical professional who specialises in providing perioperative care to patients undergoing surgical procedures. Trained to assist in the operating room.