Free Portland News

Rotary goes on

At the time of writing my wife and I have, so far survived Covid-19.  Whether this will continue I have no idea.  At least we are locked up and safe at present

As a former member of the medical profession, and married to a nurse, I have to echo all that is being said about our front-line workers and their dedication, skill, stamina, sacrifice and, sadly, often self-sacrifice as well.  That is why these professions are callings, and not just jobs.  They have my undying admiration.

Luckily we, personally, have not needed their services to survive so far, though at the time of writing the pandemic may not have reached its peak yet in this country, and we do not know whether there will be a second, or third wave later.  Having said that, I would like to put in a word for those many, many others who, too, are risking life and limb to help, and without whose devotion we would be struggling, if not dead.     I cannot list them all, but among them are the lad who brings our papers each day, helping us to stay sane and keep in touch with the outside world, the volunteers, Rotarian and otherwise, who deliver our shopping and medication, the food producers who have worked overtime, all the shop assistants who continue to provide the goods we need, the assorted delivery drivers who turn up with whatever we have ordered, the neighbours who ask if we need anything, the Council workmen who are out daily clearing away rubbish and preventing other epidemics, those who are staying at home in an effort to take the pressure off the nursing and medical staff,  the carers, both professional and amateur, the telephonists manning the Help Lines, and so, so many more.  They ALL are playing a vital part.

When fighting a war, every part of an organisation matters and having been told to stay at home, I would just like to put in a word for all these, often unknown, faces who mean so much to those of us trapped at home and who are helping us all to survive and so meet loved ones again once this is all over.

Luckily with modern communications we are able to talk with friends, families, and Rotarians.  It is not necessary to sit around a table to have a meeting and so, each Tuesday our Rotary Club gets together on-line, and we are able to talk together, fight loneliness, and to carry on our business of helping others.   Our members are out in the community helping organisations like I.C.A. and the Food Bank with manpower and finance, and, on the international front, we have just responded to a request to help the children in the Philippines who live on, and in, rubbish dumps in appalling conditions.  The work must go on as there are always people out in the wide world needing our help, perhaps more than ever now.

All over the country Rotarians and their partners are still involved with their communities in a variety of ways – at a distance I hasten to add.  We would love to help everyone but physically, and financially it is just not possible.   Having said that I have just received a message that the Government is issuing grants, through Dorset Council to help small businesses and organisations.  I understand that you can get more information from  -        DC Leisure Grant Fund Application.docx. (I think)

We may not be able to run Table Top Sales for the time being, but the money that we would have spent in setting up a Sale for a particular organisation has now been given to those organisations anyway.

The country may be in lockdown, but life must, and is, carrying on.  One day we will be able to meet together and all this will just be a bad dream, but, until that happens, let us be eternally grateful to all those that are helping to make survival possible.

Keith

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