Rotary is often noted for significant international projects such as the struggle to eradicate Polio from the world. However, Rotarians are also very active in their local communities and this is true of Lutterworth Rotarians. This takes many forms. Sometimes, it's a case of raising the funds for someone else to undertake a social project, e.g. purchase of equipment for hospitals; assisting a young person to undertake an overseas trip or a study project; or providing funds for a children's hospice towards the care of young people with life-limiting medical conditions. Sometimes though, it's simply a case of rolled-up-sleeve Rotarianism with assistance at public events, providing helping hands to those in need, driving the community minibuses or even undertaking a physically demanding project on behalf of some who are less able to do this for themselves.

The Calvert Trust

For several years now, the club has provided support and assistance so that local people who are less physically or mentally able can visit Calvert House at Bassenthwaite in the Lake District. Delegates are encouraged to take part in a range of physical activities which includes horse riding, fell trekking, abseiling and canoeing, as well as social activities in the evening. Here, a wheelchair bound delegate, assisted by one of the Trust's permanent staff, abseils down a vertical cliff face which would have been challenging enough for an able bodied person.

Fund Raising

Each year, Rotary International in Lutterworth raises and contributes significant funds to local, national and international good causes through a variety of fund raising initiatives. For ten years the club organised Last Night of the Proms in Lutterworth which raised almost £120,000. Our present fund-raising scheme is SwimFest which, in the last four years has raised in excess of £20,000 which has gone entirely to worthy causes.

Active with Rolled up Sleeves
Lutterworth Wycliffe Rotary Club also serves the community in many practical ways, not just in fundraising. In response to a request, one of our Rotarians (a builder by profession) was recently able to obtain and fit a patio door to the home of a housebound lady with severe mobility problems. The patio door allows her to access the rear garden of her home without having to go out of the front door and through the garage in her wheelchair. She will now be able to get herself outside unassisted and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air.

On a another occasion, hard landscaping was undertaken at the home of a young mother with a large family who had been tragically widowed and could not manage to maintain the family garden in a suitable condition to ensure her children’s safety.

(Students from Lutterworth Grammar School, immediately prior to their Rotary supported trip to the EU Parliament)

Helping Young People.

The club helps young people in many ways. Mock job interviews are held for those about to go into the world of employment; financial grants are considered to those who want to undertake humanitarian projects; training and management projects are organised and funded for others. All requests for help are carefully considered from young people. We also assist young people to achieve their ambitions to do things a little more out of the ordinary such as Educational abroad.

Active at Fun Days:

The Rotary Club of Lutterworth Wycliffe is active in many ways, whether it be marshalling for the town carnival, at events held by other charitable organisations, or at events which we organise ourselves.

Lutterworth Wycliffe regularly hosts a group of members from the local Gateway House Club at a District fun day organised at Rockingham Castle. The club has a continuing involvement with organisations such as Gateway in terms of providing transportation for Outings and for Christmas and other shopping trips. Here, everyone’s favourite, Jilly, tries to win a goldfish in the ’Bag a Rotarian’ competition.