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4th January 2005 Rotary aids Tsunami Relief across Sutton Christmas is the traditional time for Rotarians to be collecting in the borough for Rotary supported causes. This Christmas, as the collection monies were still being counted, the terrible Tsunami disaster happened in the Indian Ocean. Straight away Rotarians around the Borough (and the Country) were planning their response, with collections for the disaster beginning almost immediately. Over the New Year weekend, members from the clubs of Carshalton, Carshalton Beeches and Cheam, together with members of Carshalton Inner Wheel Club were out in force at a number of locations across the borough; from Sainsburys in North Cheam and Wallington to Sutton High Street. Tim Ryan, President of Carshalton Beeches, said “We have been overwhelmed by the astonishing generosity of the Sutton public over entire weekend – some of the reactions of people were very moving. We all felt extremely humbled”. Phil Blake the Carshalton President adds “It was great to get the clubs of Sutton working together to do what we can to aid this awful catastrophe. This symbolised the strength of Rotary over the last 100 years.” Rotary is already at the forefront of the relief programme with 2 aircraft full of Survival Kits already flown out to the Indian Ocean for Local Rotary Clubs to distribute, providing Shelter and equipment for over 5000 people for 6 months. Many of these are already in use. The money raised in Sutton over the weekend should provide similar facilities for another 300 people. President of Cheam Alec Thomas “It looks like about £15,000 will have been raised over the weekend which is absolutely amazing on top of all the other collectors that were raising for the same cause. It is even more incredible that this after our Christmas collections where we raised about £20,000 with our Store and Street Collections. We would like to thank wholeheartedly everyone in Carshalton, Cheam, Sutton and Wallington for their support and contribution to our collections both this week and at Christmas.” All of the Sutton Clubs are now planning what longer term support that they can provide. All the latest updates on our collections and future plans can be found at www.rotaryinsutton.org.uk. |
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