Rotary in Exeter
Three Rotary Clubs working together.
In Exeter we have three Rotary Clubs, Exeter, Exeter Southernhay and Exeter Enterprise. Each has its own unique character but each endeavours to uphold the philosophy of Rotary International which is embodied in the phrase "Service above Self." Every club seeks to be true to this, by working in their local community, supporting schools, residential care homes and other local charities. We also raise money to help international projects. In addition we foster friendship, fellowship and we have FUN.
So what do we actually do?
Community work:
Projects with schools involve working with the pupils in the school gardens or supporting them in their literacy programmes. We encourage them to take part in our Youth Speaks Competition where they bravely present a topic to a large audience, many at a very young age. We also sponsor future chefs through the Young Chef competition. We support teenagers in the Rotary Young leadership awards and are also on the lookout for possible candidates to be nominated for the Young Citizen Award.
Many clubs support local charities including Hospiscare, WESC Foundation, St Petrock's, SAFE (supporting victims of domestic abuse), Force and the MS Centre.
We have sung carols to our elderly friends at Christmas, donated time to the Food Bank collections and provided coffee mornings for the local community.
Exeter Enterprise has held an annual golf competition at the Exeter Golf and Country Club with proceeds going to the Royal Marines' Charitable trust. Many local people take part and it is wonderful to see injured marines compete successfully.
As a joint project between all clubs we have twice organised a Teddy Bear Parachute Drop party on Cathedral Green. Children raise sponsorship money and bring their teddy bears to be dressed in parachutes. They then watch them dropped from the top of an extended fire engine ladder. The children's faces as the teddy's parachute opens are a wonder to behold. The money raised at the last event was given to the Bramble Ward at the RD&E. It was well received.
International Projects
Many of these are concerned with providing clean water to communities in Africa and India. We also support Shelter Box. The Exeter Clubs recently combined to raise money for the recent Philippines Disaster Appeal, raising in excess of £7,500 over one weekend. We also work in the field of developing health projects. Since 1985 we have been committed to eradicating Polio in all endemic countries and we have nearly achieved our aim. In the past few years Bill Gates has decided to support us and currently gives £2 pounds for every £1 we raise. Therefore if you ever see our collecting boxes do please give generously. Remember the disease is only a plane ride away. An annual event for the Enterprise Rotary Club is the themed lunch held every November for this campaign, an event which is very popular and one which is quickly sold out.
Friendship, fellowship and fun
In addition to all the hard work we enjoy the friendship of our fellow Rotarians at our weekly meetings and special social evenings and events. These include skittles matches, golf tournaments, croquet matches, parties, dances, special meals and wine tastings.
Why don't you join us?
