Books and coins can help overseas

Legend tells us that Robin Hood robbed the rich to pay the poor. You do not need to be an outlaw (or even a Rotarian) to help those with greater need than yourself.

Recently, Nene Park Academy found itself with a large number of science text books, no longer relevant due to a change in the curriculum. These books are now on their way to The David School in Si- erra Leone to benefit second- ary pupils learning there.

We all take books for granted, but they are in very short supply in Sierra Leone.

This is a good example of ways in which Rotarians facilitate support for those less fortunate than themselves without necessarily needing to raise money, (although of course we do that too).

As the David School was founded and is run by a local Rotarian it receives generous support from Rotary, mainly gifts of clothing, uniforms, shoes, pencils, school furniture, soap and of course funding.

Maybe you can help. St Ives Rotary Club is looking for donations of unwanted, unloved or long forgotten musical instruments to be donated to children in our schools and local organisations. Instruments will be cleaned, serviced and restrung by members of the Rotary Club. The aim is to encourage more children to take up music.

Rotarian Adrian Acton commented: “This is a really exciting project. There was a tremendous response to a similar appeal a few years back. We were successful in finding good homes for all the instruments donated and hope to do so again.”

If you would like to donate an instrument, take it to the Slepe Hall Hotel, Ramsey Road, St Ives. Messages can also be left with secretary@ stivesrotarycambs.org.uk or on the St Ives Rotary Facebook page, or phone Adrian on 01480 464268.

Do you have ‘left over’ foreign currency? Please check the corner of your cupboard or drawer.

Ramsey Rotary can get this converted to sterling to contribute to worldwide polio eradication.

Even better, each pound will attract two-for-one matched funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Your unwanted currency will be tripled in value – far better than lying idle. Donations c/o Judith Bailey at Ramsey Golf Club.

To help young people scavenging rubbish tips in the Philippines they are being taught to make exquisite bags and purses using ring-pulls from aluminium cans.

The cans themselves can be recycled to make emergency helipads for our local hospitals.

Rotary never misses an opportunity.