Middleton Rotary Club raise over £2,000 for Rochdale and District Mind

Middleton Rotary Club celebrated the successes of the club over the last Rotary year on Monday 1 July and gave a donation of £2,750 to Rochdale and District Mind.

Middleton Club President Kit Wellens oversaw proceedings before signing off from his presidential year and incoming club President Janice Sawle was inaugurated as new President, with Bev Yarwood as Club Vice President.

 

 

Before handing over, President Kit reviewed the past year's projects and fundraising, awarding a cheque for £2,750 to his chosen charity, Rochdale and District Mind, which was started in the mid-1980s by a group of people who had mental health issues.

President Kit said: “I want to thank club members for their dedication and hard work over the last year.”

Paula Hall, of Rochdale and District Mind, said: “We’d like to thank President Kit and all Middleton Rotarians for making us their charity of the year 2018/2019.

“We have enjoyed being present at social events including a Christmas party, A Night at the Races and the Jeffrey Lawton Festival of Music amongst others.

“The donation of £2,750 that has been received will go towards our holistic and wellbeing activities which include tai-chi, mindfulness, art group and support for young people as agreed by the Rotarians. 

“We are so pleased that the new President Janice Swales is once again supporting our charity for our Shifa Dementia Link Service. We look forward to working alongside you for one more year.

“Thank you once again.”

President Janice said, of the year ahead: “The year ahead has its challenges and I am looking forward to working closely with my team to continue to deliver the projects the club has decided on to help the local community and the international community. 

“My charity for the year ahead is Rochdale and District Mind, focusing on helping people with dementia.”

Bev Yarwood, President Elect of Middleton Rotary Club, said: “It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to join Rotary, and to apply (and be supported) to become Vice President for a year, then President.

“I’ve always volunteered my time and experience to help numerous charities - I still do.

“Few people know, that every penny that is donated to local and international charities and groups, is raised by each local Rotary club themselves.

“New members are welcome and encouraged to join.

“There is an annual membership fee, but I’m so glad I was asked to join.

“I’ve made new friends. I’m voluntarily involved with local and national initiatives, which help and support many people. I’m doing this with like-minded people, which is a bonus too.

“I wish I’d become a Rotary member years ago.”

Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million people who exchange ideas and give back to their communities, initially formed in Chicago in 1905.