Monday, January 23, 2023 - 18:01

A big thank you to all those who made financial contributions to the Sunshine Memory Café during the past year – they are very much appreciated.

Special thanks to Reepham Post Office, which chose to donate its Christmas collection to the café, and to Jeannette Overton, who donated her 2022 Community at Heart Award.

These and other donations will help the memory café to continue to provide a warm, welcoming atmosphere with refreshments, games, music and entertainment for all to take part in and enjoy.

The Sunshine Memory Café for people with memory loss and their carers is organised by Reepham & District Rotary Club on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 10 am at St Michael’s Reepham. There is no charge and no need to book.

If you would like more information and a copy of our programme for this year, please telephone Peter Williams on 01362 686860 or email.

Richard Cooke, Reepham & District Rotary Club

Monday, January 9, 2023 - 13:55

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.

Wednesday, September 21, 2022 - 17:31

Rotary clubs all over the world are responding to the flooding in Pakistan – one more tragedy on top of many others that need our attention.

The most urgent need in a disaster like this is safe drinking water to prevent dehydration and disease.

Reepham & District Rotary Club continually raises funds for Aquaboxes, which are kept in stock, ready to ship anywhere in the world.

The boxes are water tanks that contain either family filters to care for a single family or community filters.

The latest donation from Reepham will pay for seven community filters that can provide six litres of clean water a minute for up to 2,800 people.

Reepham Rotary has sent more than 450 Aquaboxes in the 20 years it has been supporting the charity.

Aquabox works with Rotary clubs on the ground and partner charities that ensure the boxes are delivered swiftly to where they are needed.

The charity has just one part-time employee and some 70 volunteers, ensuring all funds are used to build and ship treatment equipment. Stockpiles are kept to ensure rapid response to emerging disasters.

Being able to treat water on the spot reduces the need for clean water to be sent in plastic bottles – the number of filters in use around the world has removed the need for 4,000 plastic bottles every minute.

Reepham Rotary donations are funded by its long-running 100 Club, which is supported by members and non-members in the community. Monthly prizes and an annual roll-over add excitement to regular giving.

The 100 Club is run by Paul Smith who will welcome enquiries by email or telephone 01603 870381.

Richard Cooke

Wednesday, March 9, 2022 - 14:26

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

Friday, January 21, 2022 - 17:35

Reepham & District Rotary Club has sent a further £1,800 to Aquabox, which supplies water filtration equipment to communities devastated by flood, earthquake, war or other disasters.

Stocks have been sent to the Philippines – recently hit by typhoons – and will shortly be on their way to Tonga following the earthquake and tsunami.

This Rotary-led charity provides the most urgent need for safe, clean water. Without action, diseases from contaminated water can cause more deaths than the original disaster.

Aquabox distribution to families in Yemen. Photo: Aquabox

The boxes are water tanks that contain either family filters to care for a single family or community filters.

This latest donation from Reepham will pay for seven community filters, which will provide 6 litres a minute of clean water for up to 2,800 people.

Reepham Rotary has sent more than 450 Aquaboxes in the 20 years it has been supporting the charity.

Aquabox works with Rotary clubs on the ground and partner charities that can ensure the boxes are delivered swiftly to where they are needed.

The charity has just one part-time employee and some 70 volunteers, with all funds used to build and ship treatment equipment. Stockpiles are kept ensuring rapid response to emerging disasters.

Being able to treat water on the spot reduces the need for clean water to be sent in plastic bottles. The number of filters in use worldwide has removed the need for 4,000 plastic bottles every minute.

Reepham Rotary donations are funded by our long-running 100 Club, which is supported by members and non-members in the community. Monthly prizes and an annual rollover add excitement to regular giving.

The 100 Club is run by Paul Smith (01603 870381or email), who welcomes enquiries. For more information, click HERE.

Tuesday, October 19, 2021 - 09:06

A story of saved lives, purple crocuses and donations tripling

Reepham & District Rotary Club, along with clubs all over the world, has been working to eradicate polio, a terrible and debilitating disease of children that is now virtually unknown in the west since vaccines were developed many years ago.

The challenge has been to achieve complete eradication around the world – as with smallpox – so that polio can be banished to the history books.

Rotary members in at-risk countries work on the ground wherever possible, while clubs worldwide raise money to support them.

24 October is our Polio Day when we take stock of progress. It is going well; this year the whole of Africa was declared free of wild polio virus.

The disease is now only endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan, where there are obvious problems in running vaccination programmes.

Photo: Rotary International

However, vaccination must continue in places at risk – we have to carry on the effort or the disease will return.

Donations worth 3x

In 35 years, Rotary clubs have contributed to the vaccination of three billion children in 122 countries.

For many years, the organisation has worked with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which contribute twice what we raise, so the £500 already sent from Reepham Rotary this year became £1,500.

To vaccinate a child costs less than £3, so every £1 you give potentially saves a child’s life.

Purple crocuses

The symbol of the campaign is the colour purple. which is the dye used to mark the little finger of inoculated children. As a reminder in this country, we plant purple crocuses in public spaces; ours are in the pound on the edge of the churchyard in Reepham.

Photo: John Tym

So, when you see our crocuses appear in early spring, think of all the lives saved – and when you come across a Reepham Rotary campaign this winter remember that every £1 you give protects a child from a horrible and deadly disease.

Richard Cooke

Sunday, July 25, 2021 - 11:01

Reepham & District Rotary Club, working with others in the community, is to launch a café in Reepham for those living with memory loss and their carers.

This will be held at St Michael’s Reepham from 10 am to 12 noon on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month, starting on 23 September.

Those who would like to help in any way are invited to a Rotary club review of plans on Monday 9 August at St Michael’s beginning at 7 pm. There will be a buffet and drinks hosted by the club.

Rotarian Peter Williams has been leading the team that has been planning the project for nearly a year.

“We have identified a need and taken a lot of advice as to the best way to meet that need,” he said. “We understand that a change of scenery can be stimulating for those with memory difficulties and a help to those who care for them.”

The Sunshine Café will offer a warm, welcoming and friendly atmosphere with music, games and entertainment, as well as tea, coffee and cake.

“We know that uptake will be slow as we are appealing to a group of people who may find new things difficult,” said Mr Williams.

“However, we are building a team with the patience, experience and love needed to make a difference.”

There will be no membership, regular fees or any obligation to visit; anyone with a need can turn up on the day and be assured of a warm welcome.

There will also be a “taster” session on Thursday 9 September for people to try out the idea and see if it suits them.

Since the project was first suggested, there have been many expressions of interest from the community, from people who see a need to those who would like to come and help in some way.

The meeting on 9 August is for them. For safety reasons in the current climate, we need to know the numbers of people attending.

If you would like to come along, please contact: Peter Williams 01362 686860 carolynnpeter@btinternet.com or Trevor Nelson 01603 860253 trevor.nelson@btinternet.com

Friday, July 2, 2021 - 09:02

If you can remember Ronnie Barker’s regularly used line, people might consider you old enough to think about being a Rotarian.

In fact, many more younger people are considering joining Rotary for the fun of getting together and the satisfaction of teamwork on projects that benefit the community.

With a new president as John Pickering takes over from Tony Williams, Reepham and District Rotary Club is planning to emerge from lockdown with a packed programme of activities.

At last, we should be able to meet again for our weekly meal, to listen to an interesting speaker, debate a current hot topic or just hear from each other on how the world is going.

Over lockdown, we developed the Reepham Rotary Recovery Initiative to channel funds from members, friends and the community to projects needing support in the area; thanks to many, more than £2,800 was raised. Organisations supported are listed on our website.

Two key projects that have been on hold should be able to take place in the autumn.

The Reepham Food Festival returns on Sunday 22 August after several postponements. It will be on a narrower scale this year to ensure none of the participants risk losing money if restrictions on movement remain.

With around 30 supplier stalls, food demonstrations, a picnic area and participation from local organisations this will be a fun day from 10 am – 4 pm. More details on the festival website.

Sunshine Café

Our new project for those with memory loss and their carers has been on hold for more than a year. It is now launching on Thursday 23 September, initially with twice-monthly meetings at St Michael’s, Reepham.

This promises a warm, welcoming and friendly atmosphere with music, games and entertainment with refreshments. A drop-in morning at St Michael’s is planned for Thursday 9 September for those who might be interested. More volunteers would be welcome.

Plans are also being made for a business mentoring programming using the knowledge and experience of members to help fledgling businesses access finance and support.

We should now also be able to continue with established projects with our schools, in public speaking, interview training, reading and cookery – even building a Japanese garden.

International projects include schooling for street children in Tanzania, polio eradication and Aquabox water filters and emergency supplies for disaster areas.

Preachathon

Then there will be a unique opportunity to hear words of wisdom and help raise funds.

The Ven Arthur Hawes will embark on a marathon preaching session on Saturday 25 September in St Mary’s, Reepham. His sermons can be heard from 9 am – 7 pm in the first sponsored Preachathon.

Arthur (and some of his audience) will be sponsored by the hour. Our JustGiving page will be available soon.

Richard Cooke

Wednesday, February 3, 2021 - 11:53

Reepham & District Rotary Club has launched a page on the Broadland Community at Heart Lottery to raise additional funds for use in the local community.

The lottery offers a top prize of £25,000 every week with the first draw on 27 February.

To buy a ticket go to the lottery website and search for the Reepham Rotary page or click HERE

Rotary club treasurer Jim Fraser said: “Provided we can sell at least 50 tickets, 50% of all ticket sales through our page will be returned to us for use in and around Reepham.

“We are already halfway to our target and would welcome more help from our friends and neighbours.”

At a time of increasing local need this represents a fun way to contribute to the community, he added.

The lockdown has made fundraising difficult, but the club continues to support school, church and scouting activities, as well as organisations such as the Bircham Centre. A dementia café is also planned as soon as things are more relaxed.

Since the outbreak of Covid-19, the club has not been able to hold meetings or fundraising events.

However, the Reepham Rotary Recovery Initiative has raised more than £2,800 for distribution to local causes, and more projects are planned when meetings can be more sociable.

Monday, February 1, 2021 - 20:02

Oonagh Walsh (pictured) has been presented with a Rotary Community Service Award to acknowledge her work as chairperson of the Reepham Good Neighbour Scheme.

Presenting the award at an online meeting of the Reepham & District Rotary Club on 18 January, club president Tony Williams said: “To describe Oonagh’s role simply as chairperson is not adequate to explain the level of involvement, inventiveness, support and motivation she has provided, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“She took on the lead role in setting up a large team of low-vulnerability volunteers to help local people during lockdown, with befriending and deliveries of food and prescriptions.

“Of particular note, she was always ready to step in herself when volunteers could not be scheduled.”

Set up seven years ago, the RGNS was at the forefront in helping the community when the Covid crisis struck and has continued to provide vital services as needs have evolved.

A dedicated phone line was set up, 60 volunteers recruited and teams set up to support many of the most vulnerable in and around Reepham.

“Many other individuals have given unstinting support to the scheme and the club wishes to acknowledge them all,” said Mr Williams.

“But it is to their leader, Oonagh, in recognition of this, that this award is made as thanks for gathering, steering and motivating the team to achieve their aims to such benefit to so many.”

Photo: RHSC

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