Rotary club donates £6k to give back to the community

Throughout the year the Rotary club takes part in a variety of events to help raise money for charities and their community.

Recently they have donated £2,000 to Rowans Hospice, Naomi House and Countess Mountbatten Hospice.

Malcolm Dent, a member of the club, said: ‘The world is a charity, there are loads of people asking for money, but Gosport Rotary Club aims to do something with the money, by giving back to the community.’

During their Christmas Sleigh event, the club raised £6,000 and were delighted by the support they received.

Malcolm said: ‘What was wonderful about the Christmas collection was the warmth that was apparent between the Rotarians out collecting, and the response of the parents and children who came out to see us.’

Events like this have a positive impact on the community, Malcolm explained: ‘We had a particular case where, while driving the sleigh along Nimrod Drive, a car pulled up nearby and a man came over, to say that in the car was his severely autistic child who was frightened to get out but would love to see Santa, so our Santa duly got out of the sleigh and went to meet the boy.’

He added: ‘His reaction was an inspiration to both boy and Santa, who admittedly shed a tear or two of joy over the effect he had, and it is this connection with the public that has been so beneficial to the elevation of Rotary in the community.’

Throughout the year the Rotary club continues to raise money for good causes, and is already planning to re-launch its annual Christmas CD with Waitrose, which will go towards Fareham and Gosport’s food banks.

Despite their aim to raise money for charities, Malcolm says they also want to raise awareness of the club’s actions.

He said: ‘The money in truth, was secondary.

‘My aim was to engage the public so that they would realise what a force for good Rotary is in the community.’