You often here about people talking at the international level of their “Rotary Moment”.  I’ve never really thought about this and what it means to me, but perhaps it’s about time I did!

Having been involved in the organisation for the past 17 years, previously as a Rotaractor (18-30) in several clubs, I’ve been fortunate enough to experience many different things and meet so many inspiration people.

However I have to say that there is one trip that I can honestly say was my Rotary Moment, which I experienced when I was only 19 years old.  I was invited to go on a trip to Romania with the Mayor of Bournemouth, representing Bournemouth Rotaract Club.

Whilst there we visited an infectious diseases clinic.  We were all deeply touched by the terrible plight of the orphans, not only infected with HIV, but who also had terrible learning difficulties.  During one visit we were taken to a room where seven 12 year old children lived, still small enough to be confined to their cots wearing nappies, some of them physically restrained.

We were stunned…not only by the sight but also by the lingering smell of complete destitution.  How could these children be treated like this?

I hope, in fact I know, that everything we do as a club is making a difference to people’s lives both in our town, and throughout the world.  So thank you to all club members for joining Maidenhead Bridge Rotary, thank you for volunteering your time and talents, thank you for being you.
​
Lisa

​My Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) experience was something I will never forget it was a week in which I pushed myself in ways I never usually would during my work and day-to-day life. In terms of leadership it has developed my confidence so noticeably, and in terms of friendships I have made some new friends for life, whom I would never have crossed paths with had it not been for the course.
 
The beginning of the week consisted of classroom based leadership skills in teams, followed by group activities in the evenings, all building towards our skills days where I took part in canoeing and orienteering (because I was too scared of the ones with heights at this point!).  Once we learnt how to master these skills we would then put these to the test during our final 30 hour challenge in which we would be teaching the rest of our group with no assistance from
professionals!

Little did I know we would be mastering all the skills learnt by each member of the group including mining and abseiling (my two biggest fears!). Despite being so nervous and at times wanting to give up my group got me through the tasks and the way in which these strangers were supporting me to help me through is something I will never forget. If it wasn't for the team I was in I wouldn't have got through it quite so well I'm sure of it!
 
I cannot thank the Rotary Club enough for providing me with this opportunity and for allowing me to develop these skills and my confidence which I would potentially never have accessed had it not been for the course. The team at Rhos-Y-Gwaliau were also amazing and provided us with everything we could possibly need to get the full potential out of the week.
 
As a 21 year old in full time work it is easy to believe opportunities are not out there, and not being at school feeling I am too old to take part in such a week.  I feel it is so important that young people like me get this opportunity and the RYLA course continues to give others the amazing time I've had.
 
Thank you so much Rotary!
Amy Tough

It was a race to the finish line at the annual Reindeer Race in the Nicholsons Centre on Saturday.
 
Organised by Maidenhead Bridge Rotary Club for the fifth year running, the festive, fun-filled event pulled in the crowds to watch competitors wind toy reindeers and sleighs across the finishing line.
 
Races lasted approximately 5 minutes each and brought lots of laughter and fun to the masses.  Shoppers also go to meet Bruno and Patch, mascots from the charity Hearing Dogs for the Deaf, where all money raised at the event will be donated.  Lisa Hunter, Rotarian, commented, “The dog mascots definitely help to pull in the crowds and to see the joy on children’s faces as they rush to give them a hug is priceless”.
 
“Thank you to the generosity of shoppers the day raised over £225 for the charity, which we are thrilled about”, she continued.
 
If you’d like more information about Maidenhead Bridge Rotary please email [email protected] or call Lisa on 07876 341334.