SUPPORTING- CUT OUT CANCER

Rotary clubs across Surrey and Sussex including Caterham Rotary Club are partnering with Royal Surrey Charity - the Rotary Cut Out Cancer campaign - to fund the purchase of the high-tech specialised surgical equipment that will allow more accurate and complex surgeries to take place, meaning recovery times and improved patient experience which will help transform cancer care.

The Royal Surrey County Hospital is the regional cancer centre for Surrey, Sussex and beyond covering around 3 million people. It is the fourth largest cancer centre in the UK with an excellent national and international reputation. It has world-leading expertise across all of the major specialities and a long-term history of innovation and improvement.

NHS England has agreed the £41million investment for the expansion of the operating theatres, excluding the costs of the high-tech equipment. The improved facilities will allow for 7,000 more operations annually (an increase of 35%) and result in further improvements to patient outcomes, better knowledge-sharing and improved surgical techniques.

To donate and find out more information, please visit rotarycutoutcancer.enthuse.com/profile

Architectural design of the finished building works

Surgeons performing an operation

BUNNIES ON THE RUN

Sunday 13th April saw our 16th Bunny Fun Run take place at Queens Park Caterham. It was a sunny morning. Just over 350 adults and children took part in the 1K and 5K events. Everyone crossing the finishing line was given a chocolate Easter egg and special chocolate bunnies were awarded to the winners of the 5K and 1K

There were special prizes of chocolate bunnies presented to the 4 best dressed bunnies.

5K winners:

Aaron Huitson 18:00

Nicola Archer 19:34

1K winners

Toby Lee-Smith 3:28.0

Jessie Mills 3:44.0

Best dressed bunnies

1K

Eloise O’Hare

Caitlin O’Hare

5K

Vivienne Loynes

Isabella Loynes

St Lukes Whyteleafe

Kenley Airfield

St Mary’s Caterham

Caterham Rotary Remembrance Sunday Wreathe laying

The Club attended several local Remembrance Day services on Sunday 10th November 2024.

Archaeological dig for the kids

Caterham Rotary Club were recently delighted to support The East Surrey Museum for young people, which took place at Whyteleafe Park

The dig, organised by Peter Connelly, Museum Curator, utilised the services of Wayne Weller Archaeology Officer from Surrey Community Archaeology who provided the necessary equipment and opened two patches of ground. His knowledge and expertise proved invaluable. Also on hand was a local Metal Detectorist Richard Joly, who like last year proved a great success with the children in helping them to discover a few interesting items.

The event was a great success with over 200 people visiting over the two days.

Malcolm Russell from Caterham Rotary said, “the finds proved interesting, with the dig unearthing (subject to verification), fragments of medieval pottery in addition the Metal Detectorist found a raft of Victorian coins, along with other pieces.”

A Heartwarming Visit to the Community Sand Dam Project.

Caterham Rotarian Geraint Jenkins has just returned from an absolutely amazing visit to the Kyanzonzo Village Community Sand Dam which had been funded a few months ago by The Rotary South District Organisation, Caterham Rotary Club , Caterham Overseas Aid Trust, and The Rotary Club's of Hart, Titsey & District, Storrington & Pulborough, Shepperton & Sunbury plus a legacy left to Caterham Rotary Club by Dr David Beckitt who passed away 2 years ago.

Geraint said “meeting the members of the self-help group was such a joy. Hearing the history, reasons for, and benefits of the Sand Dam was truly eye-opening and inspiring! There were speeches, photos, videos, laughter, and so much kindness shared – a day I won't forget so soon!” Geraint went on to say "In addition the Dam's construction is simply top-notch, and you could really feel the appreciation from the entire village community. It was heartwarming to see everyone's names and clubs included in the inscription, acknowledging all the wonderful donors and supporters!"

During Geraint's stayI in the area he was looked after by Titus, and Bernard, who made sure he was taken care of. Geraint commented "They both deserve a big round of applause and I extend my deepest gratitude to them both."

More information on Sand Dams generally is available via https://www.sanddamsworldwide.org.uk/our text here...

Bags of Hope

We were approached in 2023 by a local A Level student Mia Wilson aged 18. She was studying A levels in her 2nd year at Reigate College in Surrey. She explained that she and 4 other students were interested in setting up an environmental project to recycle local children’s school bags which were no longer required and could be used to carry school books and homework for children in Schools in Nairobi. Fron the student's research they discovered that many school bags in good condition were being thrown away and the opportunity lost to recycling.

We arranged a meeting with the students and were very encouraged and inspired on the content of their presentation to us. As a result, we agreed to support them by contacting several schools in our area where we have strong connections The objective was to collect the unused bags and to attange transportation to The Amara Charitable Trust in Nairobi who would share out the bags to local rural primary schools. We would like to thank the following Caterham schools who took part in the gathering up of the school bags: St Francis, Oakhyrst Grange, Whyteleafe, St Johns, St Peter & St Paul and St Bedes Redhill.

200 bags have now been collected and flown out to Nairobi. Our grateful thanks to the sponsors: The Integrity Communications Group https://integritycommunicationsgroup.com & Import & Export specialists 512 https://www.5-1-2.com/