Blyth Valley Rotary makes a splash

Blyth Valley Rotary has lots to celebrate as we go into 2024.

Firstly, a huge thanks to everyone that has supported our events throughout 2023. Thank you to our volunteers and Friends of Rotary that have really helped with events, enabling us to increase our “events calendar”. Thank you to the businesses that have sponsored us; this allows us to donate more resources to charities and causes, locally, nationally and internationally.

We are also delighted that we have managed to recruit six new members. We continue to try and encourage local residents to join us. Our future lies with a new generation. We need new ideas, new inspiration and motivation and younger people to get involved. Please, if you have any time to give, get in touch.

Our December Xmas campaign started with the launch of our Advent Calendar. Each day throughout December, we “gave or did”. Our Advent Calendar donated to recognised charities and organisations or we undertook a charitable action – for example supporting The Toy Service, Halesworth and taking the toys collected to social services for distribution; placing Xmas Trees in Halesworth, Wrentham and Southwold; working in partnership with the Reydon Lights Committee for the Blessing of the Tree; and donations given for Mosquito Nets, Kids for Kids, The Salvation Army, Halesworth Dementia Carers, The Blayze-ing Star Charity, Reydon and Southwold Food Bank, and Reydon and Southwold Scouts/Cubs, plus many others.

Of course, the Advent Calendar takes us to the highlight of our year:

The Christmas Day Swim

Christmas morning gave us a calm sea, mild temperatures and a record-breaking number of swimmers, with over 350 registrations. Our nominated charities this year were Sole Bay Care Fund, Southwold RNLI and the Cambridge and Suffolk, Blood Bikes. We also know several people gained sponsorship for other charities, making our total collected currently at over £5k. If anyone wishes to donate, please go to: https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/donation/blyth_valley_rotary.

The year to come

In 2024, we will be continuing to expand our range of activities and community work.

We hope to start Rotary Kids locally, more on this later. We also want nominations for our Rising Star Award, recognising an exceptional local young person who demonstrates “good citizenship”, or an environmental champion, a carer, a charity worker or an individual that has gone the extra mile. We will be contacting local schools, youth groups and organisations or you can nominate via our website. More information on this will follow.

Dates for your diary

• • 8th March: Women who Inspire – Celebrating International Women’s Day. A two-course supper and two inspirational women speakers. Book your tickets via our website.

• • 18th May: May’s Starlight Walk, 7pm–10pm. A 10k walk starting from the Old Hall Café, Reydon in aid of Dementia Care and the Sole Bay Care Fund. Online booking starts soon.

Thank you once again. Please follow us via our website, twitter or social media, to follow us and book for events.

If you would like any further information please contact us via www.blythvalleyrotary.co.uk.

Wishing you very happy New Year from Blyth Valley Rotary

Dr Cathy Ryan MBE

President, Blyth Valley Rotary

Pic at top: Christmas Day Swim 2023

Pic below: Father Christmas with Amanda Humphrey, Sole Bay Singers, Reydon Lights Switch On 2023