Welcome to Rotary in
Cumbria and Lancashire

Celebrating 121 years of Rotary
23 February

On 23 February we celebrate 121 years of Rotary service, which is also celebrated as World Understanding and Peace Day.  It is a perfect time to reflect on the remarkable achievements of our members and celebrate Rotary’s tireless commitment to peace and doing good in our local communities and all around the world.

Since being founded by Paul Harris in Chicago in 1905, Rotary members have left an enormous mark on the world.   

Below we reflect on a small number of activities of some of the Rotary Clubs in Cumbria & Lancashire.

Garstang & Over Wyre Rotary are delighted to announce the purchase of twelve Defibrillators due to the fantastic support of the community of Garstang, Local Businesses & Organisations along with support from NW Ambulance and its staff.  They have also challenged the community via Facebook to find out where their nearest Defibrillator is, as well as arranging training, in partnership with NW Ambulance Service in the use of the equipment. 

The project came about after local concerns were raised about the state of several old defibrillators with the possibility they could fail when used while attempting to revive victims of cardiac emergencies.

Image : Roger Mason (Rotary President), Yvette & Peter (NW Ambulance) and James Hutchinson & Joe Collinson (C&C Supplies)

Cockermouth Rotary recently hosted the District Young Musician Competition.  There were  seven finalists, four in the Instrumental Category and three Vocalists representing Cockermouth, Keswick, Lancaster Loyne and Longridge & North Preston Rotary Clubs. 

The standard was high and the musical talent of these young people incredible. The Adjudicators, Margie Simper and Steve Hunter- Brown had the unenviable task of deciding the winners in each category.

The Instrumental winner was Violinist Oscar Holt-Middup representing Keswick Rotary Club and the winner in the Vocalist section was Molly Drury representing Lancaster Loyne Rotary Club.  Oscar and Molly go through to the Regional Final in Heysham next month.

It was agreed that all the competitors were winners, as entering events like this enable them to grow and develop on their musical journeys.

Image : Molly Drury and Oscar Holt-Middup with District Governor John Edwards

Leyland Rotary are hoping to raise £1500 to help  Heartbeat North West to continue to support the people who attend their centres with their big Heartbeat Cycle Challenge.

£25 can help a member through their cardiac rehabilitation programme for a whole month whilst £300 can fund an exercise tolerance test which is an important element in a persons rehabilitation.

Their Rotaduck visited Heartbeat HQ recently and along with Hearbeat's Heart and Rotary President Sue they got in some early practice for the Cycle Challenge. 

Their teams are cycling around all the Heartbeat Centres in Lancashire, a total of seventy five miles and together they are going to see how many times they can go round the route. 

Image : Rotaduck with Sue and Heartbeats Heart.

Click here  for an example of an International Project.  For further details about other activities in Cumbria & Lancashire visit the Rotary Clubs websites or Facebook pages.

Interested in helping or joining Rotary?  Visit our Membership pages to find out more about the various options.