An E-Clubbers Guide to Rotary

04/07/2026

Last night I was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship!

04/07/2026

“The Paul Harris Fellow award is one of Rotary International's highest honors. It is bestowed by individual Rotary clubs upon worthy individuals—both Rotarians and non-Rotarians—to recognize outstanding community service or exceptional commitment to the Rotary ideal of "Service Above Self"”

Last night, at our club handover, I passed the presidency onto my friend and Rotary colleague Lyn Winter. She’s going to be a major impact on our club (Rotary e-Club SW Peninsula) and I wish her well!

To my utter shock, she then awarded me a Paul Harris Fellowship.

I can’t put it into words how humbled, honoured and proud I am and it only spurs me on to do more!

Thank you to everyone who has helped me in my Rotary journey so far - here’s to many more years of Service Above Self .. starting with Creating Lasting Impact!

03/07/2026

As my year as president finishes I’m hoping I have more time to devote to this page and showing off what e-clubs can do!

I’m setting myself a little challenge as we go - I want to donate to 52 good causes - 1 a week through this Rotary year and here is where I’ll keep track!

So here we go …

1. ShelterBox - Venezuela Appeal - 3 July 2026

03/07/2026

The first donation of the year goes to ShelterBox and their Venezuela appeal.

“Each of us as human beings has a responsibility to reach out to help our brothers and sisters affected by disasters. One day it may be us...” Source Unknown

Following the recent earthquakes in Venezuela, our friends at ShelterBox are currently working closely with Rotary in Venezuela and in-country to see where the need is greatest and what aid items people say they need. It's looking like tents, shelter kits, solar lights, blankets and other household essentials might be part of the aid package.
Donations given to this appeal will go to support families with shelter and essential items in Venezuela.
You can find out more about their response on the Shelterbox website: https://shelterbox.org/where-we-work/venezuela-earthquake-rot

05/04/2026

30/03/2026

This is such a shame. We need to double down and banish this thing for good!

It is with deep concern we have heard that the UK government has decided to withdraw its financial support for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).

We are at a critical stage in the campaign to eradicate polio. Loss of financial support for the eradication campaign could have dire consequences.

Rotary International pioneered the campaign to eradicate polio. Our members have given huge amounts of financial, volunteering and advocacy support to this endeavour, and we remain fully committed to the task of eradicating polio as our organisation’s number one humanitarian goal.

Read our full statement following the UK government’s decision to withdraw financial support to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative: https://www.rotarygbi.org/statement-uk-government-polio-funding/

| End Polio Now | Rotary International

17/06/2025

What an honour I had today together with my lovely La La Choirs pals. The amazing Eddie Farwell was the founder (together with his wife Jill) of Children's Hospice South West (as well as an active member of Rotary Barnstaple Link) and sadly passed away recently. There was a memorial held today in Exeter Cathedral and we were asked to sing ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’ as it was his favourite song of ours.

It was quite an amazing experience to hear all about Eddie - his commitment to his work, his cheeky personality and his wish that we all treat each other with love and respect, but no real surprise to see a full cathedral with people from all parts of his life represented.

I got to meet a few Rotarians from his club which was lovely! Much thanks to Eddie’s daughter and fellow La La, Lizzy and CHSW for the opportunity to be a part of such a lovely event.

If you’d like to hear us singing, you can click on the link in the below post, scroll until almost the end and we’re after the blessing.

Today we are holding a memorial service in memory of our Co-Founder and retiring CEO Eddie Farwell.

Thank you to everyone joining us at Exeter Cathedral.
For anyone unable to attend please feel welcome to watch online at 12.30pm or simply take a moment to pause in appreciation of everything that Eddie has done for so many 💚

“What we have achieved together has made, and will continue to make, such a difference to so many and for that, I am truly grateful. I can reflect on the work which Jill and I started in 1991 with much pleasure and satisfaction, knowing that much good has been done and that the charity will endure. I am a very fortunate person to be able to reflect on this hugely important part of my life as a job well done.” Eddie

This link will take you to the live stream of the service at 12.30pm and the recording will remain online to watch back: https://youtube.com/live/XzS0RzGNC3w?feature=share

If you would like to leave a tribute to Eddie, you can do so here https://eddiefarwell.memorypage.org/

If you would like to make a donation in Eddie's memory, please click here https://justgiving.com/campaign/eddiefarwell

15/06/2025

So .. the journey starts!

My club (Rotary e-Club SW Peninsula) had our club assembly on Thursday during which I shared my hopes for the year - lots of trying new things and ways of working and even more uniting for good and having FUN!).

I have a great club and some great support in the form of my President Elect Lyn Winter and Treasurer Jan Lewis and Secretary (and club founder) Martin Seymour. I’m really looking forward to the year and excited to get cracking!

Assembly was swiftly followed by our handover which tripled up as our 5th Birthday Party AND a fundraiser for ShelterBox by attempting to have ‘Tea in a Tent’. I say attempted .. well … see the pics and make your mind up if we made it! Donation will shortly be on the way!

Let’s go .. bring it on!

11/06/2025

Wishing all my Rotarian colleagues running an event today good luck. Unfortunately I’m not able to take part this year but already have the date in my diary for next year!

Today marks the official Children's Fun Day!

This year around 300 clubs are taking part in organising their own local events which means a staggering 22,000 plus children will benefit from a fun day out! 🤩

We can't wait to hear how these fun-packed days out are making a difference to children's lives across Great Britain and Ireland 🤝👏😃 💬



These events are supported by Kids in Mind, a UK leading charity providing mental health support to disadvantaged children and young people who have experienced domestic violence.