Rotakids Part 1

Rotarians of tomorrow

Rotakids Groups are often based in junior schools and are a great way for the youngsters to make friends, become involved in projects and fundraising in their local communities whilst learning about citizenship.  The different Rotakids groups decide upon their own activities, whilst having fun, and are supported by their teachers and a local Rotary club.   There are Rotakids groups in several areas of Cumbria & Lancashire. Once you have read through this page visit our other Rotakids page to learn about more Rotakids Groups in Cumbria & Lancashire.

The Rotakids document their meetings and activities in a scrap book.   When Ofsted have visited in the past they have been really impressed with the concept of Rotakids, the work they do and the positive impact on themselves and the community.   Mount Pleasant Rotakids .

Accrington Rotary mentor Rotakids from Mount Pleasant Primary School who have been running now for over 5 years and are made up of Year 5 and Year 6 students.  The Year 6 pupils take on the roles of President, Secretary, Treasurer and promoter. 

Image : Mount Pleasant Rotakids with the backpacks for International Aid Trust

Each year the pupils choose several projects including a school project, usually a litter pick around the grounds and perimeter. They choose a community project, this year it is helping at the local Foodbank.  They also visit the local care home to play games and sing with the residents.  In addition they choose an international project supporting International Aid Trust projects packing shoeboxes or backpacks.  They recently visited the International Aid Trust storage unit near Preston, and helped sort and box up to 150 Shoebox Appeal gift boxes ready to be sent out to Ukraine.  Another current project is collecting and sending unused spectacles to the Africa Vision Mission project helping poor families in Africa.  Collecting boxes were placed in local businesses. 

For each project the Rotakids undertake they are expected to present their plans to school (both pupils and parents) at an assembly which they create and deliver.   They also visit a meeting of Accrington Rotary to talk about their activities. 

Valley Primary School in Whitehaven has a Rotakids group and its members are supported by Whitehaven Castle Rotary Club.  One of their recent activities was planting crocuses in the school grounds with help from two pupils from every other year group, in support of End Polio Now.  Further information about the work of Rotary in helping to eradicate Polio from the world can be found here.  

Image : Rotakids from Valley Primary School planting crocuses

The Rotakids are organising a non- uniform day in March in aid of The Ivy Milton Cuddle Blanket Appeal.  Further activities include a supermarket bag packing session at Morrisons and their final event of the year is organising a Summer Fair for an International Charity.

Darwen Rotary Club mentor six Rotakids Groups.  Their recent activities included collecting four full car loads of toys for the less fortunate children and refugee children of Darwen and the surrounding area.  Their other varied activities included litter picking around the school, making friendship bracelets to sell, looking after the trout tanks that are in their class room and collecting teddies to send to the Teddy Trust for children in disaster areas.  Before Christmas they wrote Christmas cards for the elderly of Darwen.

Fundraising activities were collecting funds for people who lost everything in the Los Angeles Fires, arranging a film show after school making over £500 for the school, and using supermarket donations to sell ice lollies raising £200 in the process. 

Image : Avondale Rotakids with just some of the toys collected for the less fortunate children and refugee children of Darwen and surrounding area

Promoting Healthy Eating.  Rotakids at Willow Lane Primary School in Lancaster, who are sponsored by Lancaster Loyne Rotary Club, are trying to encourage their classmates to give up the burger and take up the banana – all part of their school-wide ‘Healthy Eating’ campaign.  At a recent meeting, with the help of Ruth Blake, Community Champion at Asda in Lancaster and Rotary mentor Jen Hayler they made fruit kebabs.

Image : Willow Lane Rotakids having fun whilst trying their hand at making fruit kebabs

In the Brampton area are five Rotakids Groups who raised over  1,250 during the Autumn 2024 school term.  The schools are Fir Ends Primary School, Irthington Village School, Rockcliffe CE Primary School, Warwick Bridge Primary School and Wreay C of E Primary School whose groups are mentored by members of Brampton & Longtown Rotary Club.

The charities supported include the British Heart Foundation, the Anthony Nolan Trust, Cumbria Cerebral Palsy, Eden Valley Hospice and Oaktree Animal Sanctuary.  The activities that helped raise these funds included Cake and Craft sales, a Fancy Dress Disco, Name the Elves event, activities at a Christmas Fair and a Reindeer Run.

If there isn't a group in your area why not ask your local Rotary Club to help you start one.

Further details about Rotakids can be found on the Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland Website. 

Further details about the various Rotakids Groups can be found on the relevant Club Website and Facebook pages.