2013

Donations to Charities 2013

Dec 052013

At the Age UK Centre, in Clarence Row, Gravesend on Wednesday, 4th December, the Rotary Club of Gravesend were once again distributing donations to the unsung heroes of Gravesend. At this annual event, some of the money raised by our club’s “On Your Bike” bicycle ride in April is given to small locally based charities that care for the people of Gravesend. These charities, many of which are totally dependant on volunteers, help the old, support the needy, care for the sick, safeguard the young, give shelter to the homeless.

If you would like to see us continue to support these charities, as well as the EllenorLions Hospice, why don’t you have a fun day in April, get your bicycle out in April and join the hundreds of people down at the Gravesend Prom. Why not get sponsorship to go for a family ride of 15 miles, or maybe 30 miles if feel a bit more energetic, or you could really go for “the big one” of 45 miles. If you can’t ride a bicycle, you could get in touch with us and become a friend of Rotary for a day and help at one of the checkpoints. For full details go to our “On Your Bike” website.

John Dyke

Logos of the Charities

ShelterBoxes for the Philippines

International, News

Nov 302013

ShelterBox tent in the Philippines 2013

There has been a fantastic response from the public to the disaster in the Philippines. Members of the Rotary Club of Gravesend responded by collecting money to send ShelterBoxes to families that have lost their homes.

They were in Gravesend town centre on the 16th November showing off one of the special tents and the other contents of ShelterBoxes. Thanks to the generosity of the people of Gravesend over £1,500 was raised and, with the addition of further money from Rotarians, £1,800 was sent to ShelterBox to buy three ShelterBoxes.

David Hatcher thanked us for our donation:

This is a terrific result that I know will make a difference to the lives of at least 3 families, if not more.

The support you give to ShelterBox is outstanding –please convey my personal thanks to the Club, since because of donations like this I am hopeful I will never again be in the position of being unable to help deserving families I have the privilege to meet in the field.

I am being deployed to the Philippines next Wednesday so it’s good to know that others are equally supportive of the small contribution I will be making by donating my time and energy over the next few weeks.

Best wishes

David Hatcher

Since this collection our team has visited two primary schools to tell them about ShelterBox and seek their support.

More about our work for ShelterBox

More about ShelterBox’s work in the Philippines (opens in a new page/tab)

Meeting 7 October 2013

News, Social

Oct 302013

Service Above Self – the motto and ethos that the Rotary Club functions under and Nigel Coombes, the evening’s speaker, chose this as the base point for an evening of informed discussion. The audience relished the open and thought provoking way in which he embraced the motto’s relation with numerous religions, with politics, with ethics and with many other subjects. I feel certain that everyone at that evening meeting at the Mid-Kent Golf Club on the 7th October left feeling mentally invigorated by the open and frank debate.

John Dyke

Mike Keep Memorial Golf Day

News, Social

Sep 132013

Thursday morning, overcast and with a rather cold rain in the air, it didn’t look that promising of our days golf at Whitstable & Seasalter Golf Club. Packing some warm water-proofs along with the clubs, it was off down the M2 to the seaside. By the time we were on the Thanet Way, the weather was clearing and the temperature rising and we arrive just as the sun broke through the clouds. Walking into the clubhouse, we knew we were in for some hard graft when we saw the local golfing elite. But then there was worse to come as we spied the old adversaries – G&M (Rotarians from Gravesend and Meopham)….it was going to be a really tough to take any of the day’s honours even for the cream of our plays like Kevin or Simon. By the time we were on the first tee, the temperature was rocketing and there was hardly a cloud in the sky and the challenge was on.

Out in the midday sun we hooked, sliced and topped our balls with incredible regularity and were amazed at how easily they disappeared into the countless ditches but even so, we were not deterred. By the time we were at the turn, we knew we were on the up, especially as we felt the calling of the 19th. With the card finally complete, signed and handed in, it was off for a shower and then to the bar to tell of the unbelievable puts and the disastrous drives. The banter over the meal finally reach fever pitch as the prizes were given out and you can imagine our delight as it was announced that the best score for the back nine was our very own “friend of rotary”, young George.

A great day was had by one and all and our thanks go to Dave Annal for organising the event (and we even raised over £100 for charity).

John Dyke

Petanque Challenge

News, Social

Sep 102013

The cry was heard…….. the challenge accepted………. and over 60 Rotarians, family and friends arrived at the Gravesend Rugby club for the Annual Rotary Petanque Challenge. The tension was high as the teams from the Gravesend & Meopham, Northfleet with Ebbsfleet and Gravesend clubs grabbed their boules and headed off to do battle. Youngsters like Charlie Trimm were in the melee and accounted for themselves well against the seasoned veterans of French holidays like John & Dot Baker. No quarter was given as the light faded and the night air chilled. Mike Cubitt and his team of wonderful helpers refereed the matches and kept league tables and it was only when we were all back in the clubhouse did Mike tot up the scores. Taking sustenance from the magnificent buffet and quaffing a glass of red French wine (or two) we waited for Mike to announce the final score, which was…..

15 points for team “3” from the Rotary Club of Gravesend, but………

18 points for team “8” from the Rotary Club of Northfleet with Ebbsfleet

President Adrian concluded the evening official formalities by presenting the Rotary Petangue Challenge Cup to Northfleet with Ebbsfleet along with the mantle of organising next year’s challenge. Fortunately this did not interfere too much with the main purpose of the evening which was of course….FELLOWSHIP and catching up with good friends.

John Dyke

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