I am looking forward to my year as President of the Rotary Club of Leicester but first of all must thank our immediate Past President Colin Derrick for serving us so well. Colin had a superb year and although he is taking some time away he knows he is always welcome back whenever he feels the time is right.
My own year will, in part, concentrate on internal issues such as a long term strategy to increase membership but will also have outward looking objectives such as raising the profile of Rotary and the charitable work undertaken by us.
I will be working alongside other Rotary Clubs on many of my fundraising projects as well as raising awareness of Rotary’s involvement in the eradication of polio. World Polio Day on the 24th October will involve our Club alongside that of Leicester Novus illuminating Leicester Cathedral in purple hopefully together with other multi faith venues. There will be a service and reception at the Cathedral starting at 5.30pm with a distribution of crocus corns across the venues by a relay team from the charity GoodGym.
Another charity I am supporting is the Riding for Disabled group “Kimberley House”. This group is enjoying its 50th anniversary and the riders come from Ash Field Academy in Leicester. I have already held a successful fund raising event supported by a number of our members. A Foundation grant has been granted which will provide matched funding for the £1000 we intend to raise.
I hope to raise funds for another local charity Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland. I am running the Leicester Marathon on the 6th October and hope members will sponsor me even just to make sure I take part! In addition I am organising a Christmas Concert at St Margaret’s Church in Leicester which will headline the De Montfort University Gospel Choir on 30th November.
On the 21st December there will be a Santa collection in Gallowtree Gate with a sleigh and reindeers plus hopefully a Santa Claus – volunteers are needed!
Early next year there will be a social evening which is still to be arranged and a Spring fair on the bank holiday 25th May held in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Blaby Meridian. On the 24th June there is a charity golf day at the Leicestershire Golf Club
It is likely there will be other fund raising events and I am keen to support our own charity Rotary Foundation so hopefully during the year there is something for everyone!
Please add the confirmed dates to your diaries.
I very much look forward to your support and fellowship during my year as President and together I hope we will make a real difference to the community in which we live.
