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.

Caterham Rotary Club Charity Golf Day proves a massive success, raising nearly £5600 pounds for our charity account. (June 2024)

The Caterham Rotary Club held its annual Charity Golf Day in June at Bletchingley Golf Club. Organiser of the day Rotarian David Barrett commented “the event was a tremendous success, with 22 teams of four players each participating in a friendly yet competitive atmosphere. The day was graced with excellent weather, and participants enjoyed a superb buffet lunch following the golf.”

The Corkscrews, a team that competes every year, emerged as the winners of the event. Beyond the golfing, the day featured a highly successful raffle and auction which raised an impressive £1,185. Total money raised was £5600 which included a donation to The South East Cancer Help Centre by The Bletchingley Golf Club Seniors Captain’s charity,

Archaeological dig for the kids

Caterham Rotary Club were recently delighted to support The East Surrey Museum at the “Rod Stead Archaeological Dig” for young people, which took place at Queens Park Caterham.

The event this year was named after the former Museum Chairman and Rotarian, Rod Stead, who sadly passed away late in 2022.

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.

Many of the children who took part last year returned this year with their own detecting devices.

The event was a great success with over 230 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.”

Of most interest was an aged, enamelled badge, with the lettering S H and a brooch which has been left with the Surrey Finds Officer for verification.

A display has now been set up at the Museum 1 Stafford Rd, Caterham, Surrey CR3 6JG

Caterham Rotarians (L to R) Steve Woplin, David Barrett and Colin Vane receiving the Rotary regional quiz trophy. (July 2024)

For the second year in a row, The Stepping Stones pub in Westhumble was chosen as the venue for the final of this year's Rotary DistrictAfter competing against over 60 other clubs, during four previous rounds across nine months, the Rotary Clubs of Caterham, Rushmoor, Storrington &Pulborough and Surbiton came together from the four corners of the District for one final battle, with the Caterham club ultimately emerging triumphant with a score of 86 out of 100, soundly beating last year's winners, Surbiton, into second place on 80 points.Rushmoor took third spot with76.5 points, whilst Storrington &Pulborough gallantly brought up the rear, albeit with a still very respectable score of 61.5 points. As well as the quiz itself, everyone present enjoyed an excellent supper of pizza, sandwiches and chips, courtesy of the pub.

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/