A Year of Achievement, Service, and Growth

Members of Maidenhead Bridge Rotary Club gathered on Saturday to celebrate a hugely successful year with an end-of-year party that marked 12 months of fun, friendship, and service. The event was a testament to the club’s impactful activities and the strong bonds formed among its members.
 
Throughout the past year, the club organised a variety of events, including the much-loved Easter Family Fun Day, the innovative "Quiz with No Name" to support Shelterbox, and the highly successful inaugural Indian Cultural Night. This cultural extravaganza, which featured the tastes, songs, and dances of India, raised an impressive £3,000 for Alzheimer's Dementia Support and Goonj, an Indian charity.
 
In total, Maidenhead Bridge Rotary Club has raised over £15,000 in the last year, supporting more than a dozen charities and good causes. Their efforts have made a significant difference both locally and internationally. Beyond fundraising, the club engaged in hands-on volunteering, including preparing special Christmas hampers for 35 local families facing hardship, ensuring they enjoyed a festive holiday season.
 
Club members have collectively contributed over 2,300 hours of voluntary service, a milestone they are incredibly proud of. The club’s dynamic and diverse membership grew by 11 new members this year, bringing the total to 60 and making it the second largest Rotary club in the Thames Valley.
 
During the celebration, outgoing Club President James Ticehurst honoured two members with the prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship. Rajan Gujral received the first award for his exceptional efforts in bringing the Indian Cultural Night to fruition and for his ongoing promotion of the club internationally. "Rajan's energy is boundless and his passion for Rotary is evident at all times. His drive is what made the Indian Cultural Night the success it was, raising a great amount for two very deserving charities," James remarked.
 
The second award was presented to Nisha Chhetri, recognised for her unwavering volunteer spirit and her embodiment of the Rotary motto, "Service Above Self." James noted, "I'm proud to bestow this award to Nisha as she's always the first to volunteer for an event, always has a smile on her face, and her kindness is second to none."
 
The event concluded with the ceremonial handover of the presidential role to Sarah Street, who praised James for his leadership over the past year. "Your mantra was 'Don't mess it up,' and I think we can safely say you succeeded, with fun at the heart of everything we do as a club," commented Sarah.
 
For more information and to get involved visit www.maidenheadbridgerotary.org.uk or contact Lisa Hunter on 07876 341334 or e-mail [email protected]

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