The Rotary Club of Rushden – a message from President Anton Rudgalvis.
For almost 90 years, The Rotary Club of Rushden has been helping to improve the lives of people locally, nationally and internationally. Formed (or Chartered) in 1935, the Club had 23 founder members, mainly from the local boot and shoe industry. The first President was Charles Horrell, a local footwear manufacturer.
We are always asked “What is Rotary” and “What does Rotary do?”. Initially formed in the USA in 1905, Rotary International is one of the largest service organisations in the world and there are Rotary Clubs in most towns/cities in the UK and overseas. There are some 1.4 million Rotarians worldwide.
Our Club is rooted within our local community but collectively we have a global outlook. I always try to dispel the varying myths and misunderstandings when Rotary is mentioned, such as “It’s a men only organisation” – not true. More than 30% of our Members are female.
“Rotary is a secret society” – no. It’s open to everyone.
“It’s a religious organisation” – absolutely not….and it’s non-political too.
“Rotary is only for retired people” – also wrong.
Yes like many membership organisations we do have retired Members but we also have Members who work full time and/or part time. Part of what we do involves fundraising. We try to put the “fun” into fundraising so we have a very busy social events calendar which full of musical evenings, race nights, quiz nights, pub sports, festive celebrations……Friends and partners are always welcome to join in with these events. Monies raised at these events have enabled us to donate for than £20,000.00 in the 2024/25 Rotary Year and this financial scenario means that we have been able to make donations to a significant number of organisations locally, nationally and internationally to have a positive impact on the lives of so many.
But it’s not all about fundraising…we are working with local schools to support literature, art and environmental projects. We have collected more than 13,000 pairs of reading glasses for various African Charities. We help fund a programme called “Kids Out” where under privileged youngsters from Northamptonshire spend a day at Wicksteed Park. The list goes on……….
From the point of Membership, we offer both individual and Corporate Membership so if you would like more details about an organisation that makes real and positive change please contact me on 07542 822385 or you can email anton.rudgalvis@btinternet.com Be the difference that makes real change!
PS. The very first donation made by our Club in 1935 was for 2 guineas to a lady in distress (Miss Baxter). The second donation was for 5 guineas to The Rushden Motor Ambulance.
