A DRAGON boat race organised by Pangbourne Rotary Club was one of many fundraising spectaculars that the group has staged this year.
The group’s riverside fun raised not the original estimate of £4,000, but an impressive £6,500.
“This enabled us to donate a total of around £3,900 to our beneficiary Charites: National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) and
Faith Christian Group Reading (ReadiFood, ReadiStreet, Reading Pantries, A Bed for the Night), as well as £2,600 to the Club’s own Charitable Fund,” said club member Brian Davies.
Charlotte Allum, fundraising and events officer for NRAS received a cheque from dragon boat event organiser Tony Eldridge and community service chair Malcolm Sandham.
Charlotte Allum said: “We are so incredibly grateful for all your support.
“Your wonderful donation will help all those with rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis in the UK.
“It will help support our vital NRAS Helpline giving comfort, support and information at a time of crisis, give people access to our interactive SMILE-RA programme to learn about RA treatment and supported self management.
“It will also help run our Right Start service, helping those newly diagnosed and living with RA to get the right emotional and practical support, while our Information and Support team will be able to provide our RA community with information and emotional support.”
Andy Dickens, CEO of Faith Christian Group, also thanked the Rotarians for their donation and support through the year.
Pangbourne Rotary Club’s Charitable Trust raised donations of over £55,000 last year, and supported more than 60 causes.
“In the 25 years of dragon boats, we estimate over £100,000 has been donated to charity, as well as an estimated £250,000 raised by the sponsorship of the individual crews,” said Brian.
“Keep Paddling!”
Pangbourne Rotarians meet to enjoy spending time together whilst enriching life for others.
The group’s grand total raised for charity this year was an impressive £55,421.
The club meets on Monday evenings at The Bull pub, 41 High Street, Theale at 7pm.
Potential members are always welcome.
To join, and for information, email: membership@pangbournerotary.org.uk and visit: rotary-ribi.org
