County Times supports Horsham Rotary charities

Horsham Rotary Club members collecting for good causes with Pudsey and Dave Benson Philips ENGSUS00120130701142419

The controversy over the way the next chairman of Horsham District Council was changed and politicised prompted County Times editor Gary Shipton to step down as a trustee of The Chairman’s Trust.

At the time, Mr Shipton made clear that he would offer a similar amount of his time and publicity to a similar good cause - so the people of Horsham were not the loser of his decision.

The Rotary Club was the first to respond, and Mr Shipton this week confirmed that he would support their excellent work in a similar way.

The Club make a huge difference to people in need across the area through their ‘Making a Difference to Horsham’ Scheme which has helped over 260 needy individuals and organisations during the past three years where a little help has really made a big difference. More than £42,000 has been donated through the scheme until now, in addition to provision of manpower and goods.

It also founded and currently manages the Horsham District ‘Set4Success’ Charity which has helped over 70 local young sports people achieve their dreams in the past three years. The charity management is assisted by Horsham District Council Horsham Schools, DC Leisure and some local businesses and its patrons include sports stars Billy Twelvetrees, Jade Lally, Chris Nash, Gemma Spofforth; and Children’s TV’s Dave Benson Phillips. New sponsors are currently being sought so that even more youngsters can be helped.

The Rotary worldwide organisation is also one of the leading organisations, together with the World Health Organisation, the UN, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, that is attempting to rid the planet of polio and is now very close to success. Horsham Rotary, like all other clubs, assist the financing of this hugely important project.

It arranges many events each year, often in partnership with Horsham District Council, which bring fun and pleasure whilst raising funds for themselves and other local charities. These events include Horsham’s Pancake Races, the 2013 Horsham Giraffe Trail, Charity Markets, and various children’s shop competitions such as the current Easter Bunny Hunt. They also organise events for children with special needs including Kids Out at Chessington with QE2 School, and for the first time this year, youngsters from Springboard.

Horsham Rotary has donated over £50,000 to good causes in the past nine months.