Overseas Projects

Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI) launches today a partnership with the IMPACT Foundation, a charity which focuses on preventing needless disability throughcaused by disease, lack of knowledge or shortage of health services. RIBI has chosen IMPACT as a preferred international project for support in the next twelve months. IMPACT was founded by the late Rotarian Sir John Wilson in the 1980s as a means of empowering local communities with simple low-cost ways of taking action today to prevent disability tomorrow. Impact is working in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America.

Prior to taking up the post as President of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland, Peter L Offer initiated a fact finding trip to Bangladesh to see the work of IMPACT at first hand. He said " My history with Sir John and Lady Wilson goes back many years when I was involved with Eye Camps in India. Today Impact has grown, and is not only restoring sight, movement or hearing to many, but giving medical help to those who are unable to get to a medical centre. IMPACT crosses many boundaries with a train running through India, plus education and medical centres in Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and parts of East Africa. In Bangladesh we saw the range of their work from their hospital ship, to the training of health workers and home gardens, we were left with great admiration for the work they are achieving. We hope that with the help that Rotarians can give in the next year IMPACT will be able to help even more people in desperate need. "

ROTARY LAUNCH A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH WHEELCHAIR FOUNDATION UK
July 1st 2006

Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI) launches today a partnership with the Wheelchair Foundation UK, a charity which provides disabled people worldwide with new wheelchairs suitable for their environment. RIBI has chosen the Wheelchair Foundation UK as a preferred international project for support in the next twelve months. To date, the Wheelchair Foundation has delivered over 500,000 wheelchairs in over 140 countries worldwide. This achievement, which occurred on June 13, 2006, is celebrated along with the 6th anniversary, marking six years since the inception of the Wheelchair Foundation in June 2000. An association was formed with Rotary in 2001 and the Wheelchair Foundation agreed to match penny for penny any monies donated by Rotarians. Rotarians in Great Britain and Ireland will help raise funds for wheelchairs as well as assisting with the handover of wheelchairs.

Prior to taking up the post as President of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland, Peter L Offer initiated a fact finding trip to South Africa, Lesotho and Romania to see the work at first hand. He said "I witnessed a boy in South Africa who had arrived in a wheel barrow receiving a wheelchair - I will never forget that image. Mobility gives dignity, self respect and the opportunity for individuals to gain education and employment, as well as removing a huge burden on their families. It really does make a difference. I hope that with the help that Rotarians can give in the next year The Wheelchair Foundation will be able to help many more people in need."