Main aims for 2024/25:
1. To continue promoting our International activities, we will support a few major causes/projects and have Tuesday morning international fun activities.
2. Working with our Foundation Officer to ensure we maintain our club's $100 per member donation to the Rotary Foundation.
3. Working with our Foundation Officer to donate a minimum of $500 to End Polio Now.
4. To replenish the club's International Emergencies Fund so that we can react quickly to any global disaster and support Rotary aid or other well-known charities (e.g., Shelterbox, Aquabox, etc.).
5. To ensure we work with to ensure press, Rotary and social media coverage.
6. To have fun!
Projects proposed:
1. End Polio Now.
a. World End Polio Day is Thursday, October 24th, 2024. Look at holding a Tesco collection for Ashby Castle on Saturday, October 26th, and possibly a street collection for the other Ashby clubs. Ashby Castle is expected to lead on this again.
b. Around that date, work with the environmental and vocational teams to promote End Polio Now in the Peace Garden.
c. Around that date, arrange for purple illumination of the Loudon Memorial.
d. Support President Mark Arjoo on his 4km open water swim for End Polio. Set up a Justgiving page and promote it on social media.
2. Bombolulu School, Mombassa, Kenya.
Keep an eye on developments and consider further non-financial support.
3. Bikes for Africa – Re-Cycle via Halfords.
In some parts of Africa, a bike can provide a lifeline, enabling people to travel to work and school and carry goods further afield to sell. A bicycle can cut journey times by up to 75%, allowing students to travel safely to and from school with energy left to learn and time to rest. A bike can increase a family's income in Africa by 35%. Anything traded must be transported, and a bike opens up numerous possibilities for traders. A bike helps a person carry five times more clean water, significantly improving access to safe drinking water and reducing disease from contaminated sources.
We propose collecting unwanted bikes from firstly club members, then maybe expanding further, and then transporting these to a participating Halfords (Nuneaton or Leicester). This is a great no-cost-to-us project providing real value in Africa.
4. E-Ranger Bikes / Motor Bike Ambulances.
We have already supported this project by financing the purchase of two motorcycles. These cost £7,500 each, which is a big number. However, the annual wage and maintenance costs of the existing fleet of seven bikes are £2,000. We propose fund-raising for this (we have already had some ideas proposed) and possibly sharing the cost with the Ashby Club—tbd.
5. A clean water charity.
This requires further investigation, but we would like to support a specific single project, if possible, at a realistic financial outlay—possibly supported by a District Grant. We are also noting this year’s Youth theme of “Wonderful Water.”
6. Mary’s Meals.
As a very worthwhile charity, we propose small-scale support by possibly offering a “Tuesday change” box and a “frugal breakfast.”
7. Aquabox.
We do not propose specific support for Aquabox, as we recognise the sterling work that Ray Spare (and Sylvia) already do in this space.