2024 is the Rotary Club of Farnham’s centenary year. It was one the early clubs to form, as Rotary itself only started in 1905 and only became International in 1922, though by 1925 there were 100 clubs and over 20,000 members. It has continued to grow with now more than 1 million members in more than 35,000 Clubs in over 200 countries (more countries than McDonald’s) and 7 continents.
Every minute of every day rotary feeds someone, houses someone, vacinates someone, performs surgery on someone, comforts someone and provides clean water for someone. It has been, along with support from the Bill Gates Foundation and others, responsible for the almost complete eradication of polio worldwide and continues to provide support for the worldwide vaccination programme, to which they contribute.
Since the Farnham Club was formed it has done much to support the local community and international causes, working within the seven Rotary International themes of peacebuilding and conflict prevention, disease prevention and treatment, water, sanitation and hygiene, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, community economic development and the environment.
It welcomes all and, through its membership and activities, provides opportunities to form new friendships and networks, to work with others to make a difference and to have fun. Much of what the club has done over the last 12 months has involved working with the Rotary Club of Farnham Weyside, the Town Council and other key organisations in the town. Through this, amongst other things, they have raised funds to support the new purpose-built Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, the Royal Surrey new Cancer and Surgical Innovation Centre, have supported young people through the Rotary initiative of Kids Out and Youth Speaks.
The former provides over 1,000 disadvantaged youngsters with the opportunity to spend a day of fun at the Aldershot sports ground. The club traditionally takes theirever-popular golf game, made many years ago by a club member, and helps with face painting. Youth Speaks provides opportunities for local schools to put up a team to debate a topic of their choosing and compete with each other, and in so doing improve their public speaking skills. Building upon this, this year they have provided additional weekly support to local youngsters, recognising just how important it is to have the confidence in all aspects of our lives, to speak in public. They have also worked with Plastic Free Farnham to achieve ‘plastic free’ status for Farnham from Surfers Against Sewage.
As always, much has been achieved through their centenary. If you are interested in joining them or in knowing more please contact the President, Sarah Moss, by email to president@rotaryfarnham.co.uk.
Image: Celebration at Farnham Town Council’s offices on getting plastic free accreditation from Surfers Against Sewage
