The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
It is the season of goodwill to all
Rotarians provide gifts and help to many causes, some very close to home. At this time of year Rotarians think of those less fortunate, including the homeless and people spending Christmas in prison.
Ortons Rotarians decided to use money from the Race Night raffle to support the plight of the homeless in our city. As this is a local cause, the money will kindly be matched by Barclays so the Peterborough Light project can benefit from over £500.
When President Les presented the cheque, Rotarians learned how the Winter Night Shelter supports the homeless and those with nowhere safe to stay in Peterborough through the coldest months of the year. Each night, up to eight homeless people are offered a bed for the night. During their stay they get a warm dinner, breakfast, washing facilities as well as a clean, warm bed. They are helped to move their lives forward and get into more permanent accommodation.
The Light Project also runs The Garden House, located in the Peterborough Cathedral precinct. Here guests are linked up with housing officers, GPs, hairdressers, chiropodists, employment agencies, also alcohol and drugs support specialists. The Garden House is such a special place, because of the love and free gift of time the volunteers so willingly give. These projects change lives, give hope and make people in the darkest of places feel valued and supported – values supported by Rotary.
Peterborough has a large women’s prison where some of those serving a sentence have young children or perhaps are about to give birth. Peterborough Rotary has used some of the money raised to provide over £200 worth of clothing and toys. These will be distributed on Christmas Day to the children of mothers who remain in prison. We hope the children will treasure gifts received when times are difficult.
President Aasiyah and Rotarians Christine and Barry visited the prison to hand over the presents to one of the officers.
Recently this club also donated two delightful animated cats to the Crocus Café. These were joyfully passed round the members who are living with dementia bringing a lot of pleasure. Rotary on hand to help those in need.