Recent events - Riverside Rotary
Helping charities and the local community since 1991
Welcome to Riverside Rotary
What we do
What we've been up to recently
Swim Relay
What a great day !!!! over 240 swimmers from 19 local organisations swimming a total of nearly 30 miles and raising over £16500 for Demelza and other local charities and good causes. So many personal challenges met and so much fun had by everyone who took part. What's not to like ??!! Whilst it's not a competition, teams from Sharon Swim School, Sutton Valence School and Maidstone Swim Club made sure to keep the competitive element alive. In the end MSC prevailed with a magnificent 80 lengths to equal Sutton Valence's record from the previous year. And none of us will forget the huge efforts by Maidstone Swimming Club for the Disabled and Just Keep Swimming, who had some of the youngest possible swimmers, many of whom hadn't swum a length in 'the big pool' before. A huge thank you to all the swimmers, organisations, volunteers and sponsors all of whom combined to produce a fantastic event. Thanks also to our local dignitaries ( Mayor Cllr John Perry and Helen Grant MP) and to Maidstone Leisure Centre for use of the pool and facilities. Watch this space for news of the next one...
Kent Police Male Voice Choir
A great evening of choral and solo performances from the KPMVC under the attentive and engaging eye of Musical Director Martin Rendle. We were treated to a wide range of popular pieces from stage and screen along with some well known popular classics. Those brave enough were even able to take part in an audience participation slot... All proceeds from the Rotary organisers went to Shelterbox in aid of the Myanmar earthquake support effort and the choir themselves collected for homeless charity Catching Lives.
School Mock Interviews
In March members and volunteers took part in Mock Interview days at local secondary schools Invicta Grammar and School of Science and Technology. Yr 11 students were interviewed and coached as part of their careers education programme.
Charity cash collections
Whilst December is our 'cash collections' month for local charities, we added an additional collection in January this year in support of the Kent & Sussex Air Ambulance. Through the generosity of customers in Tesco Grove Green and a top up from our club funds we raised £800 towards the purchase of a rapid response vehicle.
Crocus bulb planting
For the past 40 years Rotary International have been working tirelessly to rid the world of Polio. Every £ or $ we raise towards it is double matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation which has resulted in the near-eradication of the disease. You can read about the End Polio Now campaign here. The campaign symbol is a purple crocus signifying the purple ink used on the thumb of vaccinated patients and our members plant a few thousand bulbs every October (World Polio month) around Maidstone with the hope that they all come out in the spring.
Bikes & Tools for Africa collection
In October every year we spend a day collecting people's old bikes and tools to be re-furbished and sent to rural communities in Africa. Many lives are transformed by this simple project and it was well supported by the Maidstone community with our tally of bikes reaching a record 218 this year. Our thanks to Lockmeadow Market and Seymour Transport for their help and collaboration
Charity Race night
Members and guests had a fun evening of harmless gambling to raise money for Local charity Space To Be Me
Litter picks in Mote Park and Maidstone Riverside
Members and volunteers head out a few times per year to help clear litter from around Mote Park and Maidstone Riverside
Community Gardening projects
Members and supporters helped establish a community allotment in Parkwood
Loddington Folk Festival
Members supported Loddington Folk Festival in September by helping with the set up, sound system and car parking arrangements
Young carers canoeing and BBQ.
Every July we sponsor Crossroads Young Carers to provide a days canoeing hosted by Maidstone Canoe Club followed by a BBQ and award of certificates.
