ROTARY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

ROTARY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Rotary is committed to supporting activities that strengthen the conservation and protection of natural resources, advance ecological sustainability, and foster harmony between communities and the environment.

So how is Chichester Harbour Rotary Club supporting environmental issues?

Our main effort is in distributing preloved items of clothing and household goods to local people who, for whatever reason, are suffering hardship. 

Club members attend the Food Bank in Chichester once a week with donated clothing, shoes, bedding, towels, etc., and have seen first-hand the local need for such support increase significantly in recent years.

Donated laptops and mobile phones are cleaned of all personal data and set up ready for use by families, students and refugees who otherwise could not afford them.

Donated furniture and electrical items (PAT tested by one of our members) are distributed to those in need, many of whom are suffering hardship due to domestic violence.

Where donated items are not appropriate to be given directly to families in need, the items are sold via online platforms such as eBay and Vinted and the money made is put to good use in the community (a recent example was the sale of two cameras).

Items are also sold at local car boot sales and tabletop sales, and in this regard special mention should be made of Club member Mary Turner, who has raised a considerable amount of money for various charitable projects. Indeed, in recognition of her sterling efforts, at the Club’s Summer BBQ in June 2025 Mary was the recipient of the Club’s inaugural ‘Unsung Hero Award’ for 2024/2025.

In addition, members have previously done a beach clean and are planning another in conjunction with the organisation ‘Final Straw Foundation’.

Over the years, Club members have given their time and energy to provide practical help to create and restore gardens in local schools as environmental education spaces.

Linda Smith and Marian Scott have also been active in maintaining Rotary in Chichester’s Sensory Garden in Priory Park each year for the local community’s benefit and pleasure.

At the Club’s storage facility at Sentry Storage we have a recycling bin provided by Astra Ltd for the collection of clothes, handbags, shoes and textiles.  Members are encouraged to deposit appropriate items here as items donated in this bin generate revenue for our Club.

Inevitably, there is always a lot more that could be done both locally and on a global scale in support of environmental issues. Suggestions of relevant local projects that our Rotary Club might consider getting involved in are always welcome from members.

Richard Waller (RCCH Environment Lead)