Double award delight for Rotary Clubs

Two generous-spirited Rotary Clubs have received special certificates of  appreciation from the Mayor of Oldham in recognition of their 'outstanding community support and charity work'.

The certificates were presented by post to Garvin Crabtree, president of Oldham Metro and Robert Knotts, president of Saddleworth Rotary, by Cllr Ginny Alexander.

In her citation to the two clubs, the Mayor said: “I have been overwhelmed by your hard work and dedication during COVID-19 offering your support for local charitable organizations, and in particular organising the shoe donations in support of the homeless.

“Your kindness is felt community-wide and is very much appreciated.”

Despite COVID-19, Saddleworth Rotary Club has been busy in supporting local charities.

Donations were made towards buying food hampers at Christmas and making donations to the Foodbank. 

In addition, in partnership with Saddleworth’s Round Table, financial help was given to someone with mobility problems to cover cost of repairs to a toilet and drain.

Metro and Saddleworth also joined forces with Middleton and Heywood Rotary Cubs to collect around 2,000 pairs of shoes for Shoe Aid - a charity dedicated to helping schools and homeless groups.

The project was part of an effort by 40 Rotary Clubs across the North West in supporting Shoe Aid.

Three million children go to school with wrong size or inadequate shoes and 320,000 homeless have the same issues of no shoes or shoes not fit for purpose. 

Shoe Aid cleans, disinfect and repacks the shoes at their Nottingham warehouse and distributes them to needy groups and other organisations to help relieve "shoe poverty."

The project also makes an important  contribution to the environment; a million shoes are sent to landfill every week and they can take up to 100 years to decompose.

Oldham Metro president Mr Crabtree (above) said: “It is very encouraging for us that Mayor Ginny thinks of Oldham Metro Rotary Club in this way.

“It is not easy for any of Oldham’s five Rotary Clubs during these challenging times.

"We at Oldham Metro have re-invented ourselves on Zoom and are working hard to keep supporting communities and projects both at home and abroad.

"We would like to thank the Mayor for recognising our work.”

Mr Knotts, president of Saddleworth Rotary Club, said: “Our members are honoured and delighted to receive the award. 

“Along with many other voluntary organisations, COVID-19 has presented difficulties and challenges to our members and their community work. 

“Nevertheless, we continue to accord by Rotary International's motto, "Service above self" in supporting individuals and families in these difficult times.”

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.