Lunch time ZOOM meeting - Jennifer Gill, founder of Love Oliver charity (children’s cancer charity) giving us an update on her charity

On Thursday 3^rd December 2020 President Geoff Sampson welcomed 15 Club Rotarians.  and speaker Jennifer Gill to this lunch time meeting held by ZOOM.

Four Rotarians apologised for non-attendance.

Our speaker this week was Jennifer Gill, founder of the Love Oliver children’s cancer charity who gave us an update on her charity. Jennifer was so appreciative of all peoples support during this challenging year. Back in March, as the charity diary was being cleared more and more, they anticipated an incredibly quiet year ahead. However, it has been quite the opposite! It has not been their usual calendar of events, but they have been blown away by how generous and creative people have been, in continuing to raise vital awareness and funds for childhood cancer research and practical support for families during this time.  Jennifer was delighted to make a Big Announcement. Ten years ago, just now they had not long been told there was no longer hope of a cure for Oliver and had five precious weeks with him at home before he went to Heaven on Christmas Day. A children's charity shop has always been a LoveOliver dream, but due to all the practicalities they settled on pop up New to You sales, but they are now entering an exciting new chapter! LoveOliver is now the proud tenant of Unit 11 in the Kingdom Shopping Centre in Glenrothes and is (ironically) announcing a huge milestone with their beautiful Christmas window with our Rotary Sleigh out of action this year but situated in the window. To be in the position to take this big step, as well as continuing with all their commitments to research and families, is just incredible. It is with thanks to the amazing support of their many dedicated trustees, supporters, volunteers, and oncology family over the years. It is also with huge thanks to the Kingdom Centre staff whose belief in them and support for them is truly humbling and massively appreciated. The shop is not quite ready as they have taken on a unit that needs quite a bit of work carried out. It is a work in progress, and they know their dedicated team will make it amazing. The plan is to have a stall at the front for the time being, depending on restrictions, then to open a children's charity shop as soon as they can in the new year - so please keep donating things for them to sell - they need them more than ever! In the longer term they plan to give upstairs a makeover and use it as a space for small events and as a drop in/meeting place for childhood oncology families. They are really excited to be starting this new chapter, and hope you will all continue with them, as they keep doing all they can to raise vital awareness and funds for childhood cancer research and practical support for families.

The Rotary vote of thanks was given by Rotarian Marilyn Robertson also a volunteer for Love Oliver.

Our Christmas appeal has been utterly amazing as Rotary President Geoff Sampson, with club secretary Anne Sampson, Rotary Community Champion Wilna Roger going down to Glenrothes High School where their interactors have been supporting us with the appeal. They presented us with a massive donation of Food stuffs, toiletries, treats, toys. Many thanks to Glenrothes High school teacher Tracy Darmudas and the wonderful interactors, pupils and families making a difference enabling Rotary to support so many in the community. Further deliveries will take place this coming week to Muirhead Outreach Project, Fife Women’s Aid, Love Oliver, Leslie Community Pantry, Kats Mission in Kinglassie and Collydean Community Centre. Many different types of donations, which could be money, foodstuffs or Christmas gifts will always be gladly accepted and collected and distributed by the Rotarians. Please look at our website or Facebook page and let us know if you can support us. Our Christmas appeal has now reached over £1200 plus loads of Selection Boxes / a TV / a Christmas Tree / Books / Clothes / Toiletries, Thank you and well done to you all’

This coming Saturday and Sunday 12^th and 13^thDecember we will be sitting at a table in Morrison’s store, promoting the club , donations will be welcomed for us to further support our community. Many thanks to everybody for their generosity.

This coming week Thursday 10^th December 2020 at 1pm on ZOOM. If you would like to join us to listen in to new member Scott Galloway giving his family and business vocational you are welcome.

The Rotary vote of thanks will be given by Iain Haywood.

If you were interested in supporting the community and international projects get in touch by Private message on The Rotary Club of Glenrothes Facebook page. You will be made most welcome.