Donations

 The club awards money to one main charity each year and then a number of donations are made to a wide selection of smaller charities within the area. We receive many requests for a huge variety of amounts and reasons, but we try, in the main, to support the local community. It is very difficult to decide who should benefit and the process is discussed at great length by Rotary club members after some initial research. Often, as in the case with The Burned Children’s Club and The Warehouse Centre, it is pleasing to invite speakers from those we have helped who can show us how and where the money was spent. It is always good to see and hear your efforts put into a positive and practical outcome.

·        £16,500 went in 2003 to the main recipient The Burned Children’s Club. They do amazing work with children and young people to help them to regain their confidence and self esteem after burn injuries. They also pro­vide essential support to families and parents as well.

A       A cheque for £6000 was presented to the Prostate Cancer Charity on the 25th October 2004.

·        £6,000 was donated to The Warehouse Centre,  based at Rayleigh Weir. This is a Christian charity that provides much needed social activities for the youth in the area. The money was used to set up music practice and recording studios.

·        £5,000 was donated to ASET which is based at Southend Hospital. They used the money to purchase an ultrasound scanner for the Coronary Care Unit.

·        £1,500 was received by Little Havens. There were also some smaller donations ranging from £500-£1,500 which went to a number of other local organizations including several individuals.

One year the main charity that the club supported was The Prostate Cancer Charity based at Hammersmith Hospital. Although by definition this is purely a man’s charity, it seemed fitting that this specific cancer was given more public awareness as it currently affects many men and many younger men than ever before and is potentially fatal if not treated early enough.

Since our first Concert in June 1996, The Rotary Club of Rayleigh Mill has raised over £350,000 for good causes. Donations have been made to International disaster funds, such as £1,000 to the Kosovo Appeal and £1,000 to the Turkish Earthquake Appeal. £750 was given to the Life Through Water Appeal. This charity helps to improve the infrastructure in places such as Ethiopia. The club has also made large donations to national charities. Including £8,000 to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children, £8,000 to The Stroke Association and £12,500 to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Money has also been given to local Scout groups, such as the 1st Hockley and 1st Ashingdon Scouts.

We have also helped individuals. When one young teacher decided to take a year off work to pursue a year’s charity work in Uganda, the club gave her £500 towards living expenses.

Most of the money donated, however. goes to help local charities.  £16,000 was given to Basildon based Burned Children's Club,  £8,000 given to Little Haven children’s hospice in Benfleet, £7,000 was donated to Lady McAddens BUST Appeal, £6,500 to the Essex Police Drugs Awareness Programe and  £1,500 to the Essex Air Ambulance Service.

The club has also helped local homes for the mentally and physically handicapped. The Elizabeth Fitzroy Home in Rayleigh received £1,463 towards necessary equipment. The Friends of Southend community Centre and Southend Disabled Sports also received smaller donations.  We would like to thank Simply Computers for their assistance in providing a computer and printer for Rayleigh Crossroads.

Thank you for helping us to help others.