48,000 children require emergency care every year in the UK.

Under the skilful leadership of Rotarian John Wilson of the Rugeley club, we are keen supporters of The Buddy Bag scheme. A Buddy Bag is a backpack that contains essential items such as toiletries, pyjamas, socks and underwear and, most important of all a delightful teddy bear. The Buddy Bag comes into use when children have to enter emergency care, often as a result of domestic violence and it provides something the children can call their own, no matter where they go.

We arranged for 30 children at The Way Youth Zone to take part in a bag pack with the contents sponsored by the Wolverhampton club. The youngsters set about the task of packing with great enthusiasm and interest, especially when John asked them to ‘give the teddy bear a hug of love that will be felt by the child who opens the bag!’

Tyrone Johnson, philanthropy manager at The Way says “Watching our young people pack Buddy Bags was truly inspiring. They understood that these bags might be the only belongings a child has during such a frightening time. Knowing they could make that transition a little easier for someone their own age filled them with pride and compassion. It was a powerful reminder that kindness can change lives.”

Further information about Buddy Bags can be found at www.buddybagfoundation.co.uk

The Rotary Club of the City of Wolverhampton has been organising the Tree of Remembrance since Christmas 2004; over £130,000 has been raised for good cause while, at the same time, providing people the opportunity to remember lost loved ones in their Christmas celebrations.

The official opening took place at 1.00pm on Saturday 15th November. At the opening ceremony, the Wulfrun Ladies Choir performed, delighting the shoppers with many wonderful songs. Announcing the opening of the Tree of Remembrance, the Mayor of Wolverhampton Cllr Craig Collingswood praised the work of Rotarians in the community, noting the benefits they bring to so many people.

For a minimum £5.00 donation the name of your loved ones and a short message (10 words max) will appear in display cabinets in the memorial area in the Wulfrun Shopping Centre. Wolverhampton Express & Star will regularly publish the latest names and messages in the newspaper during the weeks leading up to Christmas.

The 4 good causes benefitting this year are Compton Care which supports people living with incurable medical conditions, Wolverhampton MS Therapy Centre, which offers therapies for people with long term medical conditions, Sponsored Breaks CIC which provides free respite campervan breaks for families from military and emergency services backgrounds and the Rotary Club of Wolverhampton Charitable Trust which funds local and international good causes.

Rotarian, Lorraine McCarthy explained “we have just started and thanks to generous donations from James Beattie Charitable Trust, Muras Baker Jones Chartered Accountants and local people we have already raised £3,161 for these good causes. This is such a rewarding thing to get involved with and has become part of many peoples Christmas tradition”. 

Photo shows the Mayor with Tree of Remembrance Chair Lorraine McCarthy, Rotarian Richard Horrell and 2 members of the newly formed University of Wolverhampton Rotaract Club Rose Osarobe and Mercy Ann Ndukaku.