Rotary funds more water treatment for disaster areas

Saturday, December 19, 2020 - 16:43

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.

This Rotary-led charity provides the most urgent need of safe, clean water: diseases from contaminated water can cause more deaths than the original cause of the disaster.

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

Above: Clean water for families in The Gambia. Below: Demonstrating filters in Syria.

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

Recent deliveries have been made to communities as far apart as Haiti, the Philippines, Nepal and Syria.

Reepham Rotary has sent more than 450 Aquaboxes in the 20 years that 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, 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 our long-running 100 Club, which is supported by our 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 (01603 870381 or email), who will welcome enquiries. More information HERE.

Richard Cooke

Rotary recovery fund tops £2,500 as more grants are made

Friday, November 6, 2020 - 09:25

The Reepham Rotary Recovery Initiative is designed to support local organisations that have been stretched by the current coronavirus pandemic as they get back to work following the recent restrictions on activities.

The total donated to date has topped £2,500 and the first grants have been agreed.

As well as substantial members’ contributions, the Reepham & District Rotary Club has welcomed donations from a wide range of residents and businesses. It is hoped that many more businesses and individuals will contribute as word spreads.

The fund has agreed to pay £500 towards materials to refurbish a mobile classroom for use by the school chaplain to provide much needed counselling for high school students.

It will also pay £450 towards the cost of new storage facilities for use by organisations at the Bircham Centre.

According to Reepham Rotary’s Roy Sherlock: “We have heard from other organisations and we are considering two other grants already.

“There can be no doubt that there is a big need in our community and it will only grow as restrictions continue.”

More money needed

The initial target for the fund was £2,500. However, it is clear that there is a bigger need.

While many people have financial worries, others may find they have spare cash through less travel and shopping. The Rotary Club hopes to divert that money to where it is needed.

The club is considering other projects to support the fund, although some lateral thinking is required to come up with ideas that can be put into practice during the current restrictions and welcomes co-operation with other groups that share its aims.

Donations can be made at Just Giving, over the counter at Reepham Post Office or by contacting Roy Sherlock on 07795 804452 or by email.

More details can be found on the club’s website. The Reepham Rotary Recovery Initiative is supported by Reepham Life.

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