Billingshurst Rotary fundraising evening

Guests were greeted with Pimms and a hot and cold buffet, and were able to enjoy a lovely evening in the garden.

David Archer had also been a member of the Horsham Art Society and always offered some of his paintings for sale at this annual event, but as a result of his death in April, the last of his paintings were being offered in aid of his favourite charity.

His widow Stephanie was there with the support of her daughter Frances, and the paintings raised nearly £700.

This added to funds from a raffle, together with the money raised for the meal, resulted in a total of around £1,000 to go to Rotary International Foundation.

This money will help programmes all over the world, and in particular the Eradication of Polio.

Every pound (or dollar) that is released for this specific on-going polio immunisation scheme is matched by two further pounds from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the drops are administered by Rotarians.

As a result there have been no new cases of Polio reported in India for over three years.

Rotarians, together with World Health Organisation, and Government Agencies are working in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria with some success, but cases are starting to appear in Syria. Purple cloth crocuses are sold, and bulbs planted to draw attention to this fundraising.

Anyone wishing to learn more about Rotary, or send money for the fund, please contact Secretary John Jones on 01403 783392.

Report contributed by Billingshurst and District Rotary Club.