Member Stories

I joined Pinner Rotary in 2021, shortly after the COVID pandemic, when many of us were reflecting on the importance of community and helping others.

After visiting the club’s website and seeing the events organised to raise funds for local charities, I was inspired by the work being done and decided to get in touch. From the very beginning I received a warm welcome and quickly discovered that Rotary is not just about fundraising, but also about friendship, service, and making a real difference locally.

Being part of Pinner Rotary has been a truly rewarding experience, and I am honoured to serve as President for the 2026–2027 term. I look forward to continuing the club’s tradition of service and welcoming new members who want to make a positive impact in our community.

I joined Pinner Rotary in January 2017 after taking early retirement from my role at Deloitte.  Having commuted from Pinner into the City of London every day for many years, I realised that I had very few friends locally and joining Rotary seemed an attractive way to meet people whilst supporting the local community.

Being a Chartered Accountant, I was soon asked to become the Club Treasurer and held this role for 6 years before serving as Club President from October 2023 to June 2025.   I am now a Vice President and Membership Chair.

I was privileged to be appointed to the Board of Rotary Great Britain & Ireland in 2021 and served a 3 year term from July 2022 to June 2025.   This was a fantastic opportunity to contribute my professional experience to the strategic development of the national organisation working with like- minded people from all over Great Britain & Ireland.

Following my term on the Board, I continue to have a national role as a Member of the national Membership team with particularly responsibility for membership across London and the South.

I have always enjoyed international travel and Rotary offers many opportunities to do this.   Since joining Rotary I have attended international conventions in Houston, Melbourne, Singapore and Calgary and will be travelling to Taipei shortly for the 2026 convention.     I have also become involved with the Inter Country Committee responsible for building relationships between Rotary Great Britain & Ireland and the Philippines and am working on a Global Grant project in the maternal health area.

Rotary literally offers a world of opportunities whether this is in Pinner, across London or on a wider basis, nationally or internationally.   I would encourage you to speak to us and see how you can get involved.

My name is Cecilia Thomas.  I was born in Freetown Sierra Leone and have lived in the UK since my teens.  I was a friend of Rotary Freetown club for many years.  I make it a point to attend meetings when visiting Sierra Leone and have been to three district conferences in West Africa over the past ten years encouraged by my close friend, Past President Dr Nemata Majeks Walker.

Five years ago, I joined Rotary Great Britain & Ireland and became a member of Pinner Rotary just over three years ago. Last year I was elected to the Club Council.

I love Rotary’s motto of “service above self”. Most of my working life has been about giving my time, making a positive contribution and impact, particularly in children and young people’s lives.

Pinner Rotary is definitely about service above self, as we are very active in the local community, whether it is organising events like St George’s Day with the excitement of the wheelbarrow race, bringing out the diverse local community, near and far, to support our event. Other popular events are our big fundraiser in September, Pinner Rotary Village Show and families coming out no matter the weather to support Santa in the weeks preceding Christmas. Our events are about fun, bringing the community together as well as raising funds to make financial contribution to charities and projects that improve or make a positive life changing impact to individuals, our local community and internationally.

My vision as a Rotarian with Pinner Rotary is to work with young people, involving local schools and giving children insight into the benefits of Rotary. They will be given opportunities to develop leadership skills, gain experience of participating in fundraising events, and interacting with the diverse pool of professionals that makes up the club’s membership. It will equip them for the world of work, further or higher education gaining skills and opportunities that will enrich their profiles.