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Brightening-up Christmas for the Children in Ukraine

Very soon, we will be out and about with Santa once more. It's lovely to see the joy it brings to the children. Santa is - of course - magic. However, we can't quite reach-out to Ukraine where children are suffering unimaginably. So we have joined our Rotary colleagues in the Netherlands to support this incredible, brave man who is visiting the front-line of the war in Ukraine distributing Christmas presents to children. Please support these children, if possible, by making a donation. Just a small donation can bring a smile to a child and brighten up their daily struggle.

We are delighted to report that we have raised over £2,200, which added to monies raised by our Rotary friends in the Netherlands means that over €6,000 has been raised for children's presents. Thank-you so much everyone!

Watch Dirk's thank-you video here:

Dirk's thank-you

Dougie Mac to benefit from sale of calendar

Earlier this year, the Rotary Club of Audley launched a photo competition, along with the Rotary clubs of Kidsgrove and Newcastle-under-Lyme. Twelve outstanding photos were chosen to create a calendar being sold to raise funds for Dougie Mac. The quality of the entries was such that the judging panel also chose 12 highly commended pictures to feature in the calendar.

Calendars are on sale for £10 in the Dougie Mac Christmas Gift Guide, their online shop and their shops in

Bradwell
Chesterton
Hanley
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Silverdale
Stoke
Westlands and Longton.

Other stockists

Audley Community Library
Audley Artisan Market at Pensioners' Village Hall, Church Street, Audley, on Saturday 4th October and Saturday 8th November 2025 (10am - 1pm)
Newcastle-under-Lyme Golf Club
New Vic Theatre

Our sponsors

Along with the three Rotary clubs, local organisations have sponsored the costs associated with producing the calendar, meaning every penny raised will be going to fund vital local hospice services. We would like express our thanks to:

Audley Community Library
Ann McCabe Solicitors
Great British Jigsaws
Greenchurch Legal Services Ltd
Newcastle-under-Lyme Golf Club
North Staffs Read Easy
The Barracks Trust
The Calendar Company
The Strasser Foundation

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

P3 Visit

The Club were delighted to welcome Rachel and Terri from the excellent P3 Charity

This charity helps people with lived experience of homelessness, substance misuse and mental ill-health, ensuring that they offer an approach that allows people to feel safe, heard and empowered to take the next steps in their lives.

The Club were pleased to make a donation to this wonderful charity.

Terri (left) and Rachel (right) are pictured here with Senior Vice-President June.

Support to local food banks

Over the last four years, the club has been supporting the Alice Charity's food bank by carrying out a substantial monthly shop. This charity requires no referral but does stipulate that the family has at least one child under 16 years of age. The club was recently given a talk by Sarah Sambrook who co-ordinates the food bank. What was most enlightening was the help provided by their teams of Family Support Workers, supporting the families most in need. Although their target area is primarily Stoke-on-Trent, they do still help families in Newcastle.

At the beginning of the 2024-2025 Rotary year, the club decided to make monthly donations of food to the Chesterton food bank as well. This is run by Linda Hammond and a team of volunteers who open the food bank in their church on a Thursday. The have a meeting room as well, affectionately named "The Chatty Cafe" and is open to anyone who needs company or help. There is always a person from citizens advice on hand. Individuals or families can be referred to the food bank, but Linda stresses that noone is ever turned away, when there is a legitimate request. The area they service includes Audley, although Chesterton is their main area. Whenever we visit, it is clear the good they are doing and one can really feel the warmth of the welcome and it is clear to see why it is so important.

The club is especially grateful to our two shoppers, Rotarians Brian Hanmore and June Snape, who are now expert at delivering the items that are most in need.

Dan Hughes Heart Screening Fund

Every week in the UK at least 12 apparently fit and healthy young people die of undiagnosed heart conditions.

Dave Hughes came to talk to the club about his work raising funds for heart screening, delivered by Cardiac Risk in the Young.

Dave shared his heart-wrenching story of losing his son Dan at the age of only 28. Dan's heart stopped while he was asleep. There were no warning signs; no chest pains, no headaches, no lack of breath or anything else to indicate that he was going to lose his life so suddenly.

Dan's parents, Dave and Sue set about raising funds to enable young people of the parish to be screened - saving other young lives and ensuring other parents don't have to go through the same pain and trauma they experienced when losing Dan.

Since 2016, they have funded the screening of 5,977 young people and those screens identified 279 young people that needed to be referred for further tests.

In 2024, 387 young people were screened and 31 of them were referred for further tests.

At the very first screening in 2016, one young woman was identified as having a heart block and went straight to hospital. She was in for 11 days and on day 10 she had a pacemaker fitted.

Two screening days are planned this year (2025), on 6th and 7th of September at Ravensmead Primary School. Each day of screening costs almost £7,000 and is offered free to anyone aged between 14 and 35 years of age.

Join 'In Memory of Dan Hughes' on Facebook to keep up-to-date.

Meeting the milk maid marchers!

Wendy Davenport and Dawn Oulton were welcomed to the club by Paul Barrow. They represented the eight-strong team who raise money for cancer charities and are an official supporter of the Christie's Charity.

Having raised over £120,000 since 2012, they had lots of experience to share.

Their events sell out quickly, so keep an eye out on their Facebook page and book early!

No dragons in 'The Den'

Following an introduction by Cllr Dave Grocott, governor of St. Chad's, the club was delighted to liaise with the other local Rotary Clubs to ensure The Den came on stream. Thanks to June Snape for making it happen. We hope the young people of St Chad's will get much use out of it.

Planting crocuses in Leddy's field

Paul Barrow, from Quarry Service Station, has planted purple crocus bulbs in Leddy's field. The colour represents the Rotary's campaign to end Polio throughout the world.

Because of the efforts of Rotary and our partners, nearly 19 million people who would otherwise have been paralysed are walking, and more than 1.5 million people are alive who would otherwise have died.

Find out more.

The Tree of Light 2024

Each year, the Rotary Club of Audley sponsors a village Christmas tree which is installed on the library car park. Co-ordinated by Rob Edwards, the tree is erected by Rich Heler and James Speed, to whom the club are incredibly grateful.

Residents of the parish are invited to sponsor a light on the tree, in memory of a loved one. All donations go to the Dougie Mac children's hospice.

In 2024, the generosity of Audley residents and match funding by the club, meant a huge £1,450 was donated.

Thank you to everyone involved and to those who donated.

A huge thank you!

Due to the generosity of the people of Audley Parish, the Rotary Club of Audley raised over £10,000 in December. Follow us on Facebook to see how we spend your kind donations. If you have a project that would benefit from support, please e-mail us at audleyrotary@outlook.com.

Tree of Light

With match funding from the club, we donated

£1,450

to Dougie Mac children's hospice

Santa Run

Your generously donated

£6,000

which will be spent on local projects.

A further £72 was donated to the Childhood Cancer Parents Alliance using the QR code

Festive 5k

In partnership with Audley Striders,

£3,050

was donated to the President's charity, Childhood Cancer Parents Alliance

Trip on the Polar Express

A regular project in our Rotary calendar is our funding for severely visually impaired children to enjoy a trip on the Santa Foxfield steam railway each November.

This is organised by Alison Smith who co-ordinates the specialist teachers who help registered blind children attend mainstream schools in Staffordshire. In addition to this, she encourages their families to meet up socially and this trip on the railway is the highlight of the year.

In 2024, 17 children and parents were treated to the ride, where they are given all sorts of treats and a chance to meet Santa himself.

Rob Edwards, chair of the club's community committee, said "It is very rewarding to see the obvious pleasure this gives to the children and parents."

Children come from all over Staffordshire; as far south as Cannock and Penkridge and as far north as Audley.

In March 2025, the Rotary Club of Audley is funding the hire of the Open Space amenity in Newcastle, when these children and parents will enjoy another whole day together. This is going to be the first sensory day the team has organised and the club wil go along and meet everyone.

Our partnership with the group is very rewarding and much appreciated by Alison and her staff.

Salsa night a huge success

The Rotary Club of Audley was delighted to take guests from Rotary Kampen, Netherlands, to the salsa night in aid of Therapies Unite.

The club is part of a global network and it was great to be able to connect the Netherlands with Mexico!

The Kampen team is pictured with members of the club, along with District Governor, Jane Cooper (far right in the picture).

Almost £1,000 was raised for this worthwhile charity. A huge thank you to everyone who supported the evening.

Your invitation to salsa

For the second time, the Rotary Club of Audley is supporting the village's very own Salsa night in aid of Therapies Unite.

Join us on Saturday 5th October at Audley Community Centre, ST7 8DH.

Instruction will be provided by Edwin Rodriguez Ovalle and a chilli supper is being sponsored by Quarry Service Station. There is no bar and you are welcome to bring your own drinks.

Tickets are £15per person and available from Quarry Service Station.

Image supplied by Freepik.com

Rotary young leadership award (RYLA)

On 25th September 2024, our assistant treasurer, Clare Trenchard, will be talking about her experience of being a mentor for the Rotary Young Leadership Award.

The evening's entertainment will being at 5.30pm, with a meal at Alessi Dining. The party will then move to the Butcher's Arms for the presentation.

Anyone interested in joining one or both sessions are invited to email audleyrotary@outlook.com

Sweet dreams

The Rotary Club of Audley donates £120 every month to the local People's Pantry - Alice Charity.

The club usually buys food but in September 2024, we bought three cot mattresses; ensuring the very youngest members of our community can get a peaceful night's sleep.

Rob Edwards, one of the club members, is pictured handing over the mattresses to charity Chief Executive, Heather.

Supporting learning in Nepal

The club was honoured to host the founders of Food2Think at its July meeting. Simon Rimmington and Jeanette Fanthome set up the charity on leaving the country where they had worked as teachers. Food2Think provides a meal to schoolchildren in two different schools in Nepal.

After hearing that 15pence provides one child with one meal and £33 provides one child with one meal for a whole year, the club donated £200. This was supplemented by a raffle for a bottle of champagne which raised a further £50.

Marking the new rotary year 24-25

2024-2025 club president, Neil Ginnis, receiving the chain of office from outgoing president, Geoff Mackey

Vice president, Karen Milligan, receiving her chain of office

The Rotary Club of Audley and their family and friends.

Winning the district quiz

The Rotary Club of Audley are the reigning champions of the district quiz! Over 50 clubs started the annual tournament, with 10 clubs making it to the final.

The club's team scored full marks in a number of the rounds!

Well done, team!

Helping provide clean water

Following an inspirational talk by Roger Cassidy, Chair of Trustees for Aquabox, the Rotary Club of Audley donated £200 to provide a water treatment unit for a whole community.

60th Charter Night

The Rotary Club of Audley celebrated 60 years since our inauguration and charter in 1963, on Saturday 2nd September 2023.

A most enjoyable occasion and night, with a variety of speakers, including representatives of some of the many charities that we have helped over the years.

We were also delighted to welcome 3 new members.

We also honoured Founder Member Past-President Philip Broadhurst with a second Paul Harris Fellow Sapphire and presented a Paul Harris Fellowship to Past President Ken Jones.

We look forward to the next 60 years!

Please see a selection of photos, below.

Hand-over 2023 - 2024

On Saturday 1st July 2023, President Helen handed-over the reins to President Geoff.

Thank-you Helen for looking after us all so well and presiding over a great year.

We look forward to a great 2023 - 2024 under the stewardship of Geoff!

Therapies Unite

On 29th March 2023, we were delighted to welcome Gaynor Barrow from Therapies Unite and two physiotherapy students from Keele University.

James Smith and Munya Muswizu will be traveling out to Mexico, along with Gaynor, to work with Therapies Unite. They will provide vital help to the charity's work in Mexico as well as extending their hands-on physiotherapy experience.

The Rotary Club is very proud to help finance their trip, along with three other students.

James and Munya can be seen below with President Helen.

Santa Collections 2022

Despite the economic climate, the people in the Parish of Audley proved themselves to be extraordinarily generous once more.

We more or less matched our collections for 2021 by raising over £5,000! This will enable us to carry on with our charity work and to respond quickly as and when needs arise.

Thank-you so much to everyone who contributed. It is very much appreciated.

Festive 5K run 2022

In conjunction with Audley Striders, we once again held our Festive 5K Run.

Despite conditions that at first looked unsuitable, we were able to go ahead with the run and raised a wonderful £2,600 for the Midlands Air Ambulance Service.

Thank-you to all of the organisers, suppliers and particularly the runners.

A wonderful, enjoyable day once more!

Commemorative Tree of Light 2022

Another record year for our Commemorative Tree of Light!

We have raised more than ever in 2022 and with additional funds from the Club, we will be able to donate £1,000 to the Donna Louise Trust.

A big 'Thank-You' to everyone who took part.

Presentation to The Macari Foundation

On Wednesday 16th November, we had the pleasure of Lou Macari and Angela Smith from the Macari Foundation joining us at our meeting to talk about their wonderful work.

At the end of the night, we presented them with a cheque to pay for a project to provide an outside area for use by the Macari Centre residents.

Angela and Lou can be seen below with President Helen.

Winter Clothes for the Macari Centre

On Friday 21st October 2022, we delivered over 300 items of winter clothing to the Macari Centre to help stave off the cold for homeless people.

Many thanks to The Swan at Bignall End and Audley Community Library for helping out as collection points and the wonderful people in our community for their generosity in donating clothes.

Hand-over 2022 - 2023

Our presidential hand-over took place on Wednesday 29th June 2022.

President John handed-over the reins to incoming President Helen.

It is Helen's second time as our President and we wish her all the best for 2022 - 2023.

For John, it was his third term as President and we thank him for all his work during his year and for keeping us all in check and on the straight and narrow, in his usual professional way.

On Wednesday, 22nd June 2022, we were delighted to make presentations of certificates to Linda and Paul from The Swan, Bignall End in recognition of everything that they do for the community.

As well as a certificate for Linda, we presented a certificate to ’The Duck’ in recognition of all their wonderful patrons who dig deep to support all Linda and Paul’s fantastic fundraising.

A big ‘thank-you’ to you all from Audley Rotary Club.

Pictured below, is President John presenting the certificates.

Buddy Bags 2022

On 30th April, we completed another Buddy Bags Brigade. 80 bags bought and packed by the Club for the wonderful Buddy Bags Foundation . Thank-you to everyone who helped to raise the money and do the packing. A special mention to Audley Striders who helped raise money with the Festive Fun Run, as well as helping with the packing.

Santa Collections 2021

Having decided not to hold our Christmas Santa runs in 2020, due to COVID, we ventured out once more in 2022, unsure of what to expect. We needn't have worried!

Yet again, the people in the Parish of Audley proved themselves to be extraordinarily generous.

It proved to be our most successful year to-date, raising £5,500! This will enable us to carry on with our charity work and to respond quickly as and when needs arise. We were also lucky to have approximately 1,000 children come and talk to Santa.

Thank-you so much to everyone who contributed. It is very much appreciated.

Commemorative Tree of Light 2021

Another record year for our Commemorative Tree of Light!

We have raised more than ever in 2021 and with additional funds from the Club, we will be able to donate £1,000 to the Donna Louise Trust.

A big 'Thank-You' to everyone who took part.

President John (far right) and Past-President Derek can be seen, below, presenting the cheque to The Donna Louise Trust

Festive 5K

On Sunday 19th December 2021, we held our second Festive 5K Run. The event was organised jointly with the Rotary Club and Audley Striders. A great time was had by everyone and money raised will be used to help the excellent https://buddybagfoundation.co.uk/

We even had a visit from Santa!

On Sunday 28th November 2021, the Rotary Club sponsored a number of visually impaired children to take part in the Foxfield Railway Santa Special. We also went along for the ride and a great time was had by all.

The Rotary Club of Audley Support Read Easy North Staffs

The Rotary Club has recently donated money to Read Easy North Staffs to assist them with their charity work.

Read Easy North Staffs provide free one-to-one reading coaching to adults with reading difficulties. It is estimated that 80,000 adults in North Staffordshire have reading difficulties.

Pictured below are Community Services Chairman Robert Edwards and President Elect Helen Chatfield with some of the books that we purchased for Read Easy North Staffs. We purchased a complete set of books to provide all of the coaching required for one reader.

Thanking the Club, Read Easy North Staffs Team Leader Angela Smith said "This will provide the material necessary to enable a person to read".

If you know of any adult that could benefit from this service, please contact Nikki on 07391962565 or send an email to nscoordinator@readeasy.org.uk

Award of Paul Harris Fellowship to Past-President Brian Dodd

On Sunday 29th August 2021, the Rotary Club was delighted to present a Paul Harris Fellowship to Past-President Brian Dodd, in recognition of his long-service with the Club and all the marvellous work he has done for us and others.

Brian has been a member of the Club since 1997 and has worked tirelessly to help the club and our local community.

Sadly - for us - Brian and his wife Annette are moving out of the area to pastures new. He will be very much missed by the Club and the community.

We wish Brian and Annette all the very best for the future.

Brian is pictured above receiving his award from President John Brunt.

Rotary Club of Audley Recognise Special Achievements over the Lockdown

The Rotary Club of Audley made presentations of Community Certificates of Achievement to four groups and three individuals who we believed had gone beyond the call of duty during these past 16 months.

Receiving their certificates are Dr Emma Sutton in recognition of her personal contribution, but also the contribution of her medical and administrative teams. Since the beginning of the vaccination programme they have administered over 23,000 vaccinations.

Ernie Green received the certificate on behalf of all the volunteers who have stood in wind, rain and sunshine to ensure that the operation on vaccination has run smoothly. It is testament to their hard work that the whole programme has run so smoothly.

Mandy and Paul received a certificate on behalf of the Audley Helpline. Set up initially by St James Church, the list of volunteers included many who did not attend St James. Mainly collecting and delivering prescriptions, and picking up shopping and delivering, this has been a lifeline to the elderly and those who have had to isolate. Numbers are not exact, but well over 600 people have benefitted from this service.

Nicola and her pharmacy staff have borne a huge brunt of this pandemic. In those early days seeing the queues stretch over 100 yards reaching Hall Street on occasions must have been daunting. However, they still showed kindness and a smiling face despite not receiving the respect they were due. No numbers are available for the people they have helped but must run into many thousands.

Alex Pullen received his award for the help he has given to residents of Wood Lane. Despite a physical disability he has shopped for the housebound and on many occasions that has meant walking from Wood Lane to Audley, shopping and then walking back.

We presented Linda Norton with her certificate for her effort in providing NHS staff with equipment. Whilst working full time Linda still found time to use her special talent as a seamstress to make over 1000 scrub bags for the nurses. Again, a selfless act which meant so much to the people who benefitted.

Dan Heath our local Postmaster and Newsagent, was recognised for the extra mile he has been going all through this pandemic. Personally delivering goods to those who were isolating, and when the snow meant the car was not available, he delivered on foot. He allowed personal enterprise to use his shop, and when hand made masks were available and some people struggled to afford them, he personally stood the cost.

Congratulations to all the recipients you have demonstrated in abundance what Rotary strives to be and what it takes pleasure in acknowledging.

The Alice Charity

The Rotary Club has been supporting the Alice Charity and in particular The People's Pantry throughout the pandemic.

We are therefore delighted and proud to have received a certificate of thanks.

Madeley High Presentation

The Rotary Club has presented a cheque to Madeley High School to help them purchase a 3D Printer.

Assistant Principle, Lee Royall said: 'thank you very much for your kind donation - the 3D printer will make a positive difference to all the pupils in KS3 and the GCSE pupils who will use it'.

Youth Activities Chair Roan Hatfield can be seen, below, presenting the cheque to Lee.

Due to the pandemic, like many organisations, the Rotary Club has been severely restricted in our work.

We have concentrated our efforts on helping the local community, with monthly donations to the Alice Charity and by providing visors to our local care homes.

Christmas is always a busy time of the year and our annual Santa sleigh tour of the villages has become a much loved event for both the community and our members. It is also our major fundraiser. This year, however, we reluctantly decided not to undertake the tour. We felt this was the safest approach for both our members and the community. However, we were able to produce personalised Santa videos for children in our community. This was very well received and we were able to reach out to 176 children and raise £492 for The Alice Charity and £160 for the NSPCC. Thank-you so much for everyone who donated.

In between lockdowns, we were also able to fund and pack bags for the wonderful Buddy Bags. You can find out more on our Community & Vocational page.

A video of our Buddy Bags brigade is available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abxm4uH4hok

Although these are difficult times and we have been restricted in our work, we have continued to have weekly meetings - via videoconference - and it has allowed us to host a huge variety of speakers that we may otherwise of missed out on.

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