Farnborough Rotary members got together for a great night out last night at Wings Chinese restaurant Farnborough.

Almost 80 people,  members along with their wives,  girlfriends, family or just friends had a sumptious 3 course meal followed by a game of bingo, Yes BINGO

The evening was arranged by John Grenham a rotarian since 1980.  It was a charity event in aid of Rotary’s own charity called Rotary Foundation.

There was the usual banter, mickey taking and a fair amount of alcohol. This was an event that was put on to raise money, but like all of our events, they are designed to enable members to get to know each other better in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. And it certainly works.

The bingo is not something we have tried before, at least not since I joined rotary in 2001. So we thought we’d give it a go. “Eyes down look in”

I’m told that in the bingo venues these days, they have dispensed with the sayings like “kelly’s eye number 1″ “two fat ladies…” you know what I mean.

But we wanted to give it a go.

But after the first game, with the usual slanging and banter aimed at the “poor bingo caller”, yours truly, I decided along with John Grenham to speed it up and dispense with the sayings and just call the numbers…more berating and banter followed telling me to slow down. Some days you just can’t win.

But we raised over £650, which is why the evening was arranged.  £250 of that on the bingo, I can’t wait for the next game, I think I’m sounding like my mother here….

Want to get involved, no not in the bingo with Farnborough Rotary Club, we’d love to meet you.

You can find out more about us on our website. Click Here

Sean Usher

Courtesy of the BBC

The Cornish charity ShelterBox has sent a disaster response team to the scene of an earthquake which struck central Italy earlier.

The workers will report back on the level of aid needed.

An initial 40 survival boxes containing tents, sleeping bags and cooking equipment are being sent out overnight from the charity’s Helston base.

And as many as 50,000 people are feared to have been made homeless in the area around the medieval city of L’Aquila.

Toby Ash, from ShelterBox, said: “In earthquakes there tends to be a lot of movement, a lot of confused, displaced, homeless people not knowing what to do.

“There will be people wanting to help but not sure how to.

“We have sent an experienced team who can get emergency shelters up and deal with the immediate need.”

He said it would probably take between 24 and 48 hours to assess the full scale of the disaster and the ShelterBox team would liaise with the local emergency services on the ground.

Bushfires appeal set up by RIBI

A special emergency fund is being set up by Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland Donations Trust to support victims of the devastating bushfires in Australia.

Rotary clubs in Great Britain and Ireland are in a unique position to ensure that funds are received on the ground and distributed where they are needed by liaising with Australian Rotarians.

Ian Thomson, President of RIBI said: “Like the rest of the world, Rotarians all over the these islands have been profoundly saddened by the tragedy of the bushfires.

“Rotary International is renowned for its volunteer response to natural disasters throughout the world, lending a hand wherever possible. We hope to at least help to alleviate some of the suffering these families are currently enduring.”

Jim Studebaker, Rotary District Governor for District 9800, Victoria, Australia, said: “It is wonderful to know that Rotarians in Britain and Ireland are thinking of us and offering to help.

“It is just awful that many lives have been lost and so many communities destroyed by the horrible bushfires. All funds raised by Rotarians and Rotary Clubs throughout Victoria go to help rebuild communities and families so harshly treated by the worst bushfires our country has experienced.”

Rotary members in Australia are already providing services and assistance to affected communities, and liaising with emergency and aid organisations to assist with the emergency and recovery plans.

Any clubs or members of the general public who wish to make a donation should, please, send a cheque, payable to RIBI Donations Trust, to:
RIBI Donations Trust (ABR)
Kinwarton Road
Alcester B49 6PB.