Thamesdown Presentation Night Rotary covers numerous facets, one of which is to raise funds for local charities. Much of the Club’s fundraising is carried out during the first half of the Rotary year and consequently January is the ideal time to disperse the funds raised to the deserving beneficiaries.
This year, funds raised came primarily form the Poppy Ball (£13,100) and from the Christmas Sleigh collections (£4,200). Beneficiaries were:
• Royal British Legion Swindon Poppy Appeal
• The Royal Marines Charity
• The Royal Hospital Chelsea
The Club supports military charities given that 25% of our army personnel are based in Wiltshire. With Swindon being the largest town in the county, it is inevitable that service personnel returning to civilian life will be drawn to the town. The change from service to civilian life is undoubtedly an extremely stressful time of the personnel concerned and often leads to problems such as PTSD or homelessness.
Personnel so affected need the help and counselling of military charities Donations were also made to the following local charities:
• Dress ability
• Swindon CALM
• Swindon and North Wilts Deaf Children’s Society
• 878 Highworth Squadron Air Cadets
• Wiltshire Air Ambulance
• Wiltshire Bobby Van
