Reepham Life

During a casual conversation, one of Reepham & District Rotary Club’s members was advised of a large quantity of medical dressings and equipment that had been left in a house following the recent death of a man who had been paralysed from the neck down in a serious cycle accident and was receiving 24/7 care.

The carers’ task completed, these mainly specialised items for tracheotomy treatment were about to be abandoned. Medical advice was sought before disposal and the advice given was that it should not be returned to source and would be probably destroyed.

The items were contained in several sealed boxes as delivered, plus hundreds of other items in manufacturer’s sealed packaging, which were removed from the property by a Reepham Rotary Club member by agreement with the family. Everything was subsequently inspected by a qualified intensive-care practitioner, who found all the items perfectly usable.

As a result, the 24 boxes (pictured) have been transported to Ukraine where it is hoped they will assist medical needs. It is hoped to report on this in the future, but it is a precarious war zone.

Waste is immoral; help us to help others.

Photo: submitted

Reepham & District Rotary Club is a group of 25 people who are, or have been, working in and around Reepham.

It is part of the global Rotary International organisation that uses the time and skills of its members to improve the world around us.

Charities

The club is currently supporting:

• Field of Joy – improving well-being for many people locally;
• Ukraine – contributions to an old people’s home;
• street children in Tanzania – protection and education;
• Aquabox – fresh water for disaster areas.
   

Activities

The club’s current activities include:

• Sunshine Café – for those with memory loss and their carers, 10 am on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month at St Michael’s, Reepham;
• Reepham Food Festival – the club has organised the annual food festival for seven years and also helps with the annual Reepham Classic Car Festival;
• schools – the club helps with reading, community activities, job interviews and other projects.
   

Communication

The club produces Reepham Town News for the community.

Programme

Some of the club’s talks are open to visitors:

• 21 October – Healthy ageing;
• 4 November – Antarctica;
• 25 November – The Red Arrows.
   

Supper and talk at 6.45 pm, £21; talk only at 8 pm, £5. Email: reservations@reephamrotary.org.uk or call 07889 036852.

Join

Reepham & District Rotary Club welcomes like-minded individuals who enjoy working together to serve the community and would like to join in its activities.

As well as full membership, the club can now offer associate membership to those who:

• help with the Rotary community and overseas projects and fundraising;
• are welcome to attend some club meetings and hear interesting speakers (there is no obligation to attend every meeting).
   

Associate members only pay a nominal sum to cover administration and pay per meeting attended.

If you are interested, please email the president, Peter Williams pres@reephamrotary.org.uk

Reepham & District Rotary Club’s campaign to support the people of Ukraine during the horrors of a winter under attack has now raised more than £5,000 with the help of the community.

As government energy support payments began to arrive, many members felt there was a greater need than ours right now.

Reepham Rotary has established a direct link with the Rotary Club of Kyiv so we can be certain that money reaches the right place and we can hear how it is used.

Through leaflets, collection buckets and online donations, the appeal – with gift aid – has now topped £5,000, according to Reepham Rotary president Jim Fraser. “There are many needs in the world and at home, and we respond where we can,” he said.

“However, the unnecessary suffering created by this war on a civilian population has touched many hearts, particularly as there are now refugees welcomed among us in Reepham. Many thanks to all who have contributed so far.”

The initial money raised is now being sent, although the appeal will remain open as the need will continue.

If you would like to help Ukraine, you can donate through our charity page online HERE.

Alternatively donations can be sent via BACS to the club’s trust fund, sort code 20-03-26, account number 90387088, or by cheque to Reepham & District Rotary Club to J. Fraser, Newington House, Booton NR10 4NZ.

There are also cash collection points at the post office and around the town.

Reepham & District Rotary Club has sent £3,000 from its emergency funds to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

In addition to other charitable donations, the club has always kept a fund topped up, ready for use in exactly this sort of emergency. Members voted to donate it all to this cause.

The Rotary Club had researched the best way to help and determined that the consortium of charities already working on the ground was the fastest way to make a difference to all those displaced and damaged by this unpleasant war.

According to club president John Pickering, the challenge now will be to replenish the fund. “We are working on a series of initiatives to raise money,” he said.

“This has been difficult with Covid restrictions, but we were glad to have money in hand to respond quickly.

“There will be other disasters – and the aftermath of the invasion of Ukraine will be with us for many years.

“We would welcome any help that the local community can give to support our efforts to rebuild our emergency funds.”

Photo: Disasters Emergency Committee