Four local Rotary Clubs, the Clubs of Bilston and Wolverhampton West, Tettenhall, City of Wolverhampton and Wednesfield, have combined to secure £4000 from Rotary Foundation funds in order to help Ukrainian refugees who have arrived in Wolverhampton. It is essential to help the refugees, who have lost everything, both with day to day necessities and with support to help them find their feet in their new environment.

The support from Rotary is being channelled through the Ukrainian Church, Ukrainian Club and community centre and Razom café, which provide a focal point for families and individuals arriving from Ukraine. Anyone who is hosting or meets refugees from Ukraine is encouraged to make them aware of these.

The first of a series of presentations took place on Friday 22^nd July when Bob Stolz, President of the Rotary Club of Bilston and Wolverhampton West, presened their club’s delivery of goods under this programme at the Ukrainian Church in Merridale Street West. This consisted of £1000 worth of educational, communication and language items which will be used in the community centre for the benefit of all the new arrivals. He was accompanied by the Presidents of all four Rotary Clubs, including our own Sylvia Morgan,who all wish to welcome our new Ukrainian neighbours.

More presentations are to follow as the refugee families come forward to provide details of shoe and school uniform sizes for children, clothing needs and a wide variety of other items such as pushchairs, cots, musical instruments and the like.

Additionally, the Rotary club of The City of Wolverhampton has made a further £1000 available from our own Community Trust fund.

All four Wolverhampton based Rotary clubs came   together to present £4000 of essential food equipment and clothing for the Ukrainian citizens arriving in Wolverhampton. Each club received through our foundation a £1000 and each of the clubs will be providing goods and services to the value of £1000 each. The Rotary Club of the City of Wolverhampton will be buying essential clothes for displaced refugees.

Also, during the recent Rotary Dragon Boat event at Himley park, spectator donations were received and donated for the benefit of recently arrived Ukrainian refugees here in Wolverhampton.

President Sylvia Morgan

PRESS RELEASE

Only THREE WEEKS to go to Nominate for the Wolverhampton Young Citizen of the year Rotary Awards

The deadline for nominating young people for The Wolverhampton Young Citizen of the year Rotary awards is 31^st.  July.

Organising Committee Chairman Roger Timbrell, said:

‘If you know a young person between the ages of 13 and 25 who deserves to be recognised for their kindness, volunteering or service to their school, community or local organisation, please go to: www.wolverhamptonyoungcitizen.org.uk  to nominate them

Finalists will be selected in August and invited to the awards ceremony on 15^th September hosted in the Civic Suite by the Mayor, Cllr. Sandra Samuels who is one of the judges. Many of those who are not selected as finalists, but who have made a significant contributions to their community, will receive certificates of commendation’ signed by the Mayor.

Awards will be given in two age categories : 13 – 18 and 19 – 25.

These awards are devised and are sponsored by the four Rotary Clubs in the City and organised in partnership with the City Council, The Express and Star, Wolverhampton Wanderers Foundation and supported by Carvers Building Supplies Ltd. and the James Beattie Charitable Trust.

Contact: Roger Timbrell    roger.timbrell@yahoo.co.uk

tel : 07885 944030

The deadline for nominating young people for The Wolverhampton Young Citizen of the year Rotary awards has been extended until the end of July.

Organising Committee Chairman Rotarian Roger Timbrell, said:

‘Because the awards ceremony has been postponed until 15^th September, we have decided to keep the web site open until the end of July to allow further nominations during the summer. Finalists will be invited to the awards ceremony. Many of those who are not selected as finalists, but who have made a significant contributions to their community, will receive certificates of commendation’.

As Wolves legend John Richards says in his video recorded to promote the awards ‘ These awards celebrate and recognise all the voluntary work that young people do. No act of kindness, however small, should go unrecognised. Just a nomination alone is a powerful way to say thank you’ To view his video and that of other supporters, including B.B.C. T.V. Repair Shop star Jay Blades  and singing star Beverley Knight, go to: www.wolverhamptonyoungcitizen.org.uk   where you can follow the link to nominate.

Awards will be given in two age categories : 13 – 18 and 19 – 25.  The awards ceremony will be held on Thursday 15 September, and the ceremony will be hosted by the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Cllr. Sandra Samuels, who is one of the judges.

These awards are devised and are sponsored by the four Rotary Clubs in the city and organised in partnership with the City Council, The Express and Star, Wolverhampton Wanderers Foundation and supported by Carvers Building Supplies Ltd. and the James Beattie Charitable Trust.

Contact: Roger Timbrell    roger.timbrell@yahoo.co.uk

Rotary Junior Technology Challenge a great success…again!

After a 2 year gap it was a great pleasure to be invited back to Uplands Junior School in Finchfield to present the Rotary Junior Technology Challenge to 96 year 5 children over 2 days.

The pupils learn about what engineers do and how they build bridges.

This is all done in a fun way and then the youngsters are set a challenge to build a bridge using the kits we provide.

The bridge has to meet certain criteria then it’s tested by trying to blow a toy squirrel off with a hair dryer, as if there was a gale in force! This always causes great amusement and it’s wonderful to hear the children laughing.

Also very amusing were the names of the teams the children chose for themselves such as ‘The Floppers,’ ‘Crafty Warriors’ and ‘Little Tech Einsteins.’

The winning team on the first day was ‘The Golden Hackers’ and on the second day, ‘DTWhizzkids.’ Each member of the teams received a book token prize.

My thanks to club members Lorraine McCarthy, Charles Cox, Richard Horrell and Lisa Stallard for providing such valuable support; on the first day we were joined by District Governor Robyn Davies and the District organiser, Peter Langdon. Grateful thanks and appreciation are also due to IPP Brian Bailey who worked so hard in getting all the equipment and materials prepared before the event.

It’s really satisfying to be able to report that the feedback from the school staff and the youngsters has been first class, as evidenced by the postings on the school website and facebook page.

President Richard.