Rotary is one of the world’s best-kept secrets. Whilst many recognise the name and logo, few outside the clubs know much about what Rotary actually does. So, I would like to tell you a bit about Rotary in Ossett.
We have 30 members with a common purpose, to support the local community and wider charitable causes. The club fundraises by organising all kinds of events and projects, sometimes working with other Rotary clubs and local organisations. The current pandemic has put a hold on meetings but we continue to ‘meet’ regularly via Zoom. We delivered eight huge cakes to local key workers in early lockdown; including the fire service, police, ambulance service, care homes, and GP surgeries as a thank you for their dedication to our community.
Most of this year’s planned activities have had to be postponed but thanks to the generosity of club members, who have gifted the money normally used to pay for lunches, the club has been able to make significant donations to the Wakefield Community Awareness Programme (CAP), Wakefield Hospice and the Ossett Resource Centre Foodbank.
In a normal year, we would be supporting the Gawthorpe May Day parade, the Ossett Summer Gala, Scarecrow Festival, and Christmas Fair.
Ossett Rotarians support the international Rotary End Polio Campaign by fundraising. World Polio Day was October 24th and our Club held a ‘Virtual Pie & Peas Night’. The food was supplied by local businesses and delivered (socially distanced) by Rotarians to homes, ready to be heated and enjoyed.
Over the past five years, the Rotary Club of Ossett has raised over £42,000 for many good causes. Every pound raised goes to charity but not everything we do is about fundraising. It’s also a great way to be social.
If you are interested in Rotary, making new friends, and helping your community, email secretary@ossettrotary.org.uk or check out our Facebook page (@rotaryclubofossett).
– By President Tony Sargeant
