A Taste Of Sweet Charity For Good Causes

We promised that all profits from the Soapbox Derby would go to charities supported by Rotary - and we met our promise!  There is always something satisfying and worthwhile in handing out money for good causes. Monday, June 19 was one such occasion when the Club entertained to lunch representatives of four of the organisations designated as the recipients of the proceeds from our successful Spectacular Soapbox Derby on  May 1.

Grateful Charities

Four cheques of £6,000 each were presented by president Mike to:

• Anna Jordan from Médecins Sans Frontières.
• Roger Cassidy (Aquabox)
• Nicky Evans (Hamelin Trust)
• Claire Wilson (Little Havens Hospice).

With cheques already made to Rotary Foundation – End Polio Now and to Quilters Junior School and other smaller donations, this brought the total dispersed to over £30,000.

The response from the recipients who enjoyed the company of club members at various tables, was generous.
Nicky Evans from Hamelin Trust told one of our members: “This means so much to us. We have to thrive mainly on donations.  What a great effort by everyone involved with your Soapbox Derby.”

Anna Jordan of MSF said “It was so nice to meet so many members of your club and to hear all about the Soapbox Derby which sounds like an amazing event. I have really enjoyed reliving it through all of the photos in your booklet. Thank you so much for the invitation to visit your club and for the hugely generous cheque.” 

Roger Cassidy of Aquabox responded “This is truly wonderful news and the donation will go a long way towards covering the cost a shipment of Aquafilters that we are planning to despatch to Kenya later this month, in support of those fleeing from the drought and famine currently being experienced in South Sudan and Eastern Africa.”

It is fantastic when we can see the direct benefits our donations make!

Service Supporters

It was also an opportunity to share lunch with members of the other service clubs and to thank them for their help with the Soapbox Derby. Their advice before the event, and their prodigious physical support on the day helped make it another outstanding success.
Clubs represented at the award ceremony, and our guests for lunch, were:

• Basildon Rotary Club (President Kevin Howard)
• Basildon Concord (Danny Lovey)
• Rotary Club of Mayflower Billericay (Dave Randall)
• 41 Club (President Tony Sprackling)
• Billericay Lions (President Robert Brett).

President Mike thanked every one of them, before we all sat down for lunch.