Rotary Club 2026 Sporting Events Continue
Sunday 12th April 2026 – Easter Fun Run, commencing from Park Walk, runners had the choice of a 5km or 10km run. The weather could not have asked for better conditions, with a sunny and somewhat breezy morning, an ideal temperature for runners. A record number of runners turned out for both runs, even with the knowledge of having to finish running up the iconic Gold Hill of Hovis acclaim. The first one over the line was Ollie Binyon completing a time of just under 35 minutes. First over the line for the 5km run was Freddie Shoemark. It was great to see the top of Gold full of spectators cheering them on. Over £2000 was raised and The main beneficiary of the Fun Run this year, will be The Friends of the Westminster Memorial Hospital. The Shaftesbury running group assisted with marshalling and taking part.
The next big event will take place on the 10th May 2026 with the North Dorset Cycle Ride sponsored by BV Dairy/First Milk. Another big fund raiser for Shaftesbury Rotary Club. The event has been held annually since 2016 and we have new routes for each of our runs.
The main beneficiary of the rides will again be Prostate Cancer UK, so please give generously, by sponsoring your friends on our JustGiving page North Dorset Cycle Ride 2026. – JustGiving
13th April – Speaker Meeting. Another new member was inducted. After the regular club business and announcements tonights speaker David Gordon introduced us to The Book Bus, The Childrens Reading Charity working with literacy in schools in Zambia. Home – The Book Bus . Set up in 2008 following Tom Maschlers 2006 visit to Zambia where he witnessed the scarcity of books in remote areas. One of the 1st schools had 2000 pupils and 23 books. The objectives are to not only deliver books to schools, but train teachers and bring mentors from the universities, provide a library or safe environment for reading within the school and provide the transport for them all to visit the schools.
The learning poverty index for the uk is 5%, in comparison to 90% in Africa. One bus would visit 10 schools with an average of 600 children per school. The five yearbudget of £500k is aimed to serve 10,000 children (£50 per child). A literary kit costs about £250 per school, The books, safe environment and teacher training costs about £750 per school. A book bus running costs is about £5000 per year.
27th April 2026 – Monthly Business meeting and AGM. Tom Myers of First Milk met with President Andy and confirmed their continued support for the cycle ride and Rotary events. After the success of the Fun Run next years date is announced as 11th April.
Rotakids continues to operate in the Abbey First School and Shaftesbury Primary organising their own agenda as well as assisting at Rotary events. We take pride in the work that these pupil groups have undertaken within the community and are pleased to continue our support.
Directory is now well underway and bearing completion of the draft. Final adjustments are being made to the search facilities and entries updated where necessary. The aim is to have the Directory functioning by the end of the current Presidential year. Leaflets are being drafted and costed for distribution.
Our website is again under review as updating the site and ongoing glitches have caused slight delays in access, links and updates. We are looking at alternatives as a total upgrade may well be easier and cheaper to maintain in the future.
Compliance – The annual compliance document has been circulated reminding us of the key topics • Data Protection Privacy Policy • Equality and Diversity Policy • Dignity Policy • Health and Safety Policy • Safeguarding Policy (Children and Adults at risk)-available bottom of all Rotary GB&I
Kidsout now known as Kids Fun Day is planned for June again this year with the support of Sturminster Newton and Gillingham.
Sponsored Swim– The children raised £1140 from this event. A booking has been made for next year on March 14th.
Faith Welfare Trust– Heerlen Rotary have agreed to jointly support this with a 600 Euro donation. It may be possible to get a District Grant. The Rotary club of Chennai may be involved.
Young Carers – A missed opportunity this year, but we will continue to seek potential candidates for future youth events.
