Many to benefit from fundraising

So many people will benefit from Rotary’s fundraising initiatives. Forty-five people took part in our local Rotary swim. Six teams participated, others swam as individuals.

As a result, more than £4,500 was raised and distributed to 10 charities.

Werrington Rotary Club was able to provide extra sponsorship and an additional contribution via gift aid.

One of the largest teams was from Peterborough Special Olympics.

They will use the money raised to finance the club’s activities in the coming year, particularly participation in swimming competitions.

Other donations went to the British Heart Foundation, Arthritis Research and the Parkinson Disease Society.

An amazing achievement - Arabluwa Aina, who is only eight-years-old, swam and raised more than £400 for the Peterborough School Charity of the Year.

John Ralph, Rotary President of Spalding and Welland, used the event to raise money for his own nominated charities.

Stamford St Martin’s Rotary Club donated £4,000 from their fundraising efforts to MindSpace, Stamford’s first mental health group. Just A weekly round-up of news and views from Rotary clubs in the Peterborough area: www.rotary1070.org over two years ago, Dr Dan Petrie, a partner at St Mary’s Medical Practice in Stamford, launched the community group.

It has provided services to over 100 people in Stamford.

Dr Dan said: “I saw a big gap in the response to mental health issues. There’s a lot for us to do as a community for mental wellbeing and to promote a healthier, happier town”.

After starting a forum to promote good mental health, Dr Dan went on to launch drop-in cafés every other Thursday, giving people a safe space to talk and listen.

MindSpace Stamford also offers complementary therapies on alternate Thursdays and group walks on a Wednesday, both very popular.

Feedback proved the group had been life-changing for some people, but Dr Dan needed to increase the reach of the group.

The generous donation from Rotary has made this possible.

MindSpace now has banners, signs, leaflets and merchandise to promote their work more widely.

Dr Dan said: “We were approached by Stamford St Martin’s Rotary Club who saw how this community initiative was impacting positively on so many lives.

“We are sincerely grateful for their donation, and as a result of their generosity we hope to visit as many businesses and organisations as possible to spread the word.”

He hopes to get everyone in the town involved in some way, whether through local businesses helping to promote this life changing work or individuals offering volunteering time.

To help email: info@mindspacestamford.com