About Rotary
ROTARY AT A GLANCE
The first Rotary Club was formed in Chicago in 1905, and the number
of clubs has grown over the last 100 years to current membership figures
of 1.2 million members in 166 countries. All clubs are non political,
non religious, and open to all cultures, races and creeds, and club
membership represents a cross section of local business and professional
leaders. The main objective is service-both in the local community and
throughout the world with the motto of ‘Service Above Self’
DID YOU KNOW THAT?
Wigan Rotary Club founded Wigan & Leigh Hospice. Through the
incredible support of the community, medical, religious, health and
political bodies, the Rotary Club raised £86,000 (today equivalent to
£300,000) to establish the original hospice in Poolstock; it opened in
1983.
Wigan Rotary Club was the first in the borough to acquire a Life
Education Unit – a mobile exhibition and classroom used in the
campaign against drug and solvent abuse. The current unit is now jointly
owned by all 8 Rotary Clubs in the borough and regularly visits every
primary and junior school with lessons for both children and parents.
In 1995 three members of Wigan Rotary Club formed Age Concern
Wigan Borough (now renamed Age UK), this provides a wide range of
services for the elderly throughout the borough. It has offices in Market
Street and Pennyhurst Mill in Wigan and Bradshawgate in Leigh.
Following the very successful women only ‘Race for Life’ events Wigan
Rotary Club started a men only event in 2004. The ‘RUN4ALIFE’ 5Km
fun run in Haigh Hall Country Park has so far donated over £50,000 for
research into men’s cancers i.e. testicular and prostate cancers.
Wigan Rotary Club set up the Wigan League of Hospital Friends in
1955. This is now a registered charity and provides help for both patients
and visitors.
Wigan Rotary Club was largely instrumental in the establishment of
Mere Oaks School for children with special needs in the mid 1960’s.
The international work of Wigan Rotary Club contributes to projects
such as ‘Water Aid’ and Jaipur Limb Project. The club is also a big
supporter of the ‘Shelter Box’, which provides a family of up to 10
people with a tent and essential equipment following a disaster such as
the Tsunami. See www.shelterbox.org
Wigan Rotary Club working with Wigan Council, Wigan Leisure
& Culture Trust has worked to improve the environment and brighten
the appearance of the town and been actively involved in planting
several million daffodil & crocus bulbs. In addition with the help of
several councillors more than 300 trees were also planted around the
town.
December is a major fund raising time for Wigan Rotary Club when
Father Christmas and his Sleigh tour the district throughout Decem-
ber. Very popular with families and thanks to the generosity of the
Wigan public it regularly raises over £5,000 which is then donated to
charities and voluntary organisations both locally and overseas.
Wigan Rotary Club was formed in 1924 and its community work is
now accepted as part of everyday life in the town! The clubs priority
continues to be to provide support for local community and voluntary
groups. However, it does also provide financial assistance to organisa-
tions involved in humanitarian work in needy parts of the world.
It currently has almost 50 members, both men and women and meets
every Thursday lunchtime at The Owls at Standish.
If you would like to know more please ring 07813 471000 or visit our
web site. www.wiganrotaryclub.org.uk or telephone 01942 498916 or 01257 426354