Rotary Rochdale gives £10,000 to local and international charities

The Rotary Rochdale humanitarian group has presented three charities, both local and international, with a monetary donation.

Over 40 Rotarians and friends attended a gala night on 1 September at the masonic buildings, where President Selwyn Hodge welcomed representatives of the Rochdale branch of the RSPCA, Rochdale Children’s Moorland Home and Mercy Ships.

The club’s classic car show at Falinge Park in July, organised alongside the Friends of Falinge Park, had raised £10,000 and the money was split between the three charities, supported during past president Merrilyn Chadwick’s year in office, on the night.

President Selwyn thanked all the speakers for the updates on “three very worthwhile and thriving charities.”

Rochdale branch of the RSPCA was represented by Shirley Mellor, income generation manager. The charity is in the process of moving their premises to the former Visitors Centre at Hollingworth Lake and are making good progress.

Shirley said: “The Rochdale branch, although part of the RSPCA national charity, does not get funding from ‘head office’ but has to raise all its own funds every year. Vets’ fees alone are £6,000 per month. We have increasing demands on our service and this donation is very welcome.”

 

 

Garry Bradbury, treasurer of the Rochdale Children’s Moorland Home gave some historical background to the home, which was established back in 1894 with the objective of “the provision and maintenance of a holiday home for children who are in conditions of need or distress.”

He described how the home tries to give every child a great holiday experience. Many of the children have had such a troubled life and the staff are unstinting in their aim to give each one an enjoyable experience. Garry said: “Thank you Rochdale Rotary for your ongoing support. Over the Covid affected period you have helped us to complete an electrical, plastering and decorating upgrade of the building.”

Alan Kershaw, an anaesthetist in intensive care, talked about Mercy Ships which he has volunteered for. These are ships converted into self-contained medical and surgical facilities able to deal with poor suffering people particularly in Africa.

 

 

Housing up to 900 volunteer medical personal and families they visit various ports -latest off Mozambique- and deal with cataracts, cleft lip and palate, various tumours and limb deformities to name but a few.

A slide presentation showed how miraculous the treatment can be, transforming that person into a happy active member of the community again.

Alan said: “We have been supported by members of Rotary International for many years and so glad the Rochdale club thought about us this time.”