Rotary and Inner Wheel unite for special project
‘Home Starter Box’ supplied to local people in need
LOUGHBOROUGH Rotary and Inner Wheel club members have been busy supplying much needed goods to local people in need.
The Home Starter Box project was set up in 2017 by Loughborough’s Rotary and Inner Wheel clubs to help needy people rebuild their lives and live independently.
Each box contains new basic household essentials sourced from local businesses.
So far, the clubs have raised nearly £13,000. This includes £7,559 from Loughborough’s two Rotary clubs and Inner Wheel, and a Rotary District grant.
External funding of £5,428 has come from Tesco Bags of Help, St James’ Place, Loughborough Welfare Trust, Helen J Cope Trust, EM Airport, EM Housing, Loughborough University and other sources.
Sue Easton, leader of Loughborough Beacon Rotary’s Community and Youth Services team, said: “We buy new household items, pack them into new boxes, distribute the boxes to partner agencies, then repeat - buy, pack, donate – 110 times so far.
“We would like to thank our partner agencies, Charnwood Borough Council, Exaireo, The Bridge, Women’s Aid, Falcon Support Services, Marios Tinenti Centre and MENCAP.”
She added that it was gratifying to receive feedback from some of the recipients, which included comments such as; “It was like Christmas!” -
“Far more than I expected – I was overwhelmed!” - “Everything was picked with so much love and detail.” - “It’s extremely heart-warming to know that people in Rotary go out of their way to help people like me. I literally had nothing. The starter pack was fantastic. You’re such amazing people!”