News from Woodbridge Rotary Club
A club spokesperson wrote, “Woodbridge Rotary Club meet most Fridays from 12:30, in the bar of The Bull Inn, Market Hill, followed by lunch in Carlow’s room. Why not come along and meet us? More information can be found here.
The fruits of our labours during the Autumn and Winter months are now beginning to show. Supporting Rotary International’s ongoing campaign to End Polio Now, we worked with the local community and the schools of Farlingaye High, Kysons Primary, St Mary’s Primary as well as The Abbey Preparatory, distributing crocus bulbs to be planted and raising around £600 for this worthy cause. They are now beginning to peep through as can be seen in the photograph. To find out more about this campaign visit here.
We were also able to express our appreciation recently for the support given to our annual Ruff Stuff off-road bike event which is a very successful fund raiser. Peter Whelan is a volunteer who has, over many years, been prepared to take on the major part of the organisation for the route and signage, so expressing Rotary’s grateful thanks for that considerable achievement, Peter was given our Community Service Award.
The Club is currently organising collection points in Woodbridge to support TWAM, i.e. Tools With A Mission. The dates for these collections are focussed on the weeks commencing 11th & 18th of May. Collection sites will be displayed on our website as well as Facebook page, in due course.
TWAM is a Christian charity that collects unwanted usable tools, refurbishes and sorts them into trade tool kits for livelihood creation. TWAM’s mission is to empower people and groups in need, offering them a way through tools to put poverty behind them for good with an opportunity to begin their own sustainable careers. The Mission also enriches our local UK communities through volunteering opportunities, reduces waste by re-cycling, thus contributing significantly to environmental sustainability.
Through TWAM’s 'local to global' model, over 200 tonnes of tools annually have been prevented from unnecessarily going to UK landfills and engaged local communities, by offering volunteering opportunities that nurture skills and foster social connections. The impact of this work resonates globally, as TWAM now supply refurbished tools to over 500 organisations in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa. These tools equip individuals with the skills needed to completely transform their lives and communities.
By refurbishing and recycling, over 1,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions can be saved annually, demonstrating a serious commitment to environmental sustainability. The toolkits produced by this re-cycling effort, serve as catalysts for change, from supporting families and education to strengthening communities. TWAM’s local efforts have a global impact, helping to create a World where everyone has the chance to thrive.
TWAM send tools to be distributed in Africa and anywhere in the UK where they identify a need for this type of support; to apply for tools for those areas, or to learn more, visit the website here.
Don’t forget to save the date for Woodbridge Regatta which this year will be on 19th July on the wonderful Deben riverside, - no doubt, for some enthusiastic sailors that may mean in the river too!”
