Club News

Davington School pupils with their cards

Covid-19 restrictions may have cancelled the annual Christmas lunch for senior citizens and the popular Christmas Carol Float which toured the town collecting for local charities, but that has not stopped Faversham Rotary Club finding novel ways to remember members of the community at this time of year.
 
On learning that there are 59 Young Carers, aged from 7 – 17 years, in our area we decided to collect gifts and to parcel these up to be distributed to them, to let them know how valued they are. They will receive gift vouchers and a range of other goodies, including woolly hats generously donated by a Rotarian.
 
Carnalea and Cooksditch Residential Homes will receive cakes baked by volunteers from Sheldwich WI, mince pies from Fillers and individual small gifts donated by Rotary members or chosen with love and care by one of Faversham Rotary’s keenest shoppers. Gifts are also being delivered to all the Almshouses residents.
 
Support came from several local businesses, including the Pilgrims Hospice Shop, Morrisons and Macknade Food Hall. It was a great team effort.

The children at Davington Primary and St Mary’s of Charity Primary schools have also participated by designing Christmas cards and writing seasonal messages to the residents of the Care Homes and the Faversham Almshouses.

Rotary Club President, Michael Hoey, said “Faversham Rotary was determined to bring Christmas to those who might feel alone or struggling. The generosity of friends, individual members and the generous surprise contribution from the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers, whose Master happens to be Rotarian David Simmons, has ensured a very wide distribution of gifts in what has been a most challenging time for everyone.”
 

More COVID-19 grants awarded by the Rotary Club of Faversham

The Rotary Club of Faversham recently set aside a sum of money to help local not-for-profit organisations which had been adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The funds were boosted by two Zoom quizzes which raised over £1400.
Grants totalling £3,250 were distributed in September and a further £1,500 has now been awarded.

Successful applicants for the second round of grants were AgeUK Faversham to help fund their "Daily Sparkle" newsletter, Davington Priory Cricket Club for screens to help make their clubhouse Covid-safe, Serv (Kent Blood Runners) for PPE masks, and Cinque Ports Rowing CIC to fund additional tutor-led workshops to make up for the reduced working-group sizes.

Jude Sach, Director of Cinque Ports Rowing CIC said "Thanks to support from the Rotary Club of Faversham, our project has been able to adapt to the new socially-distanced style of operation. We have reduced group sizes and extended our plans to allow our participants to work safely as they collaborate to build St Ayles Skiffs for our local community to use for social and competitive rowing. Without your help the project could have been delayed or, potentially, suspended indefinitely. We are tremendously grateful for the financial help you have provided!"

Details of our next Zoom quiz on Friday the 11th December and how to support The Rotary Club of Faversham Trust Fund will be published here shortly.

We had another hugely enjoyable Zoom quiz night  last Friday (25th September) with participants coming from as far as Cornwall.

To date the Quiz has raised £710 towards our Covid Relief Fund, from which we have already distributed £3,000 and aim to donate another £3,000 shortly.  Thank you to all those taking part and to the question setters - thankfully the sports round was easier this time!