Senior Citizens Film Shows – A great evening out!
Many of our senior citizens have difficulty in getting out to enjoy the many things that most of us take for granted. Each year the Club has a programme of film shows for the senior citizens when Club members pick them up, take them to the show and return them home after. Refreshments are provided during an interval in the film, and there is usually a fun raffle. Those wishing to take part in this should enquire at their day centre, or contact our Secretary.
In 1990 Kingston Rotary Club organised a day out to Thorpe Park for 200 disadvantaged children. From this small beginning this day out – now known as KidsOut – has grown into a nationwide activity for Rotary with 25,000 children attending the event at venues all over the country. If you want to see more visit www.kidsout.org.uk.
Rotary Dragon Boat Challenge – Great to watch and even better to take part!
If you are looking for a great day out by the river then do not miss the annual Rotary Dragon Boat Challenge at Canbury Gardens, Kingston. Hundreds of competitors in up to 48 teams battle it out on the river to determine who makes it into the exciting final. Market stalls, sideshows and bouncy castles and rides for the kids go to make this a fun filled day, that each year raises thousands of pounds for local charities. If you wish to take part in the racing – no experience necessary, and you will be given training (and buoyancy aids, just in case) - find out more by clicking here.
Community Fireworks – Not just a big bang!
For the only organised firework display in Kingston go to Kingstonian Stadium in Kingston Road, where Kingston Rotary Club and Kingston Round Table jointly host this great event each November. You can be assured of a display full of colour, noise and excitement set to music, as well as children’s fairground rides, a wide range of refreshments, and music and fun provided by Radio Jackie DJs live in the arena before the big display.
Christmas Tree of Goodwill – Nearly 60 years of collections for local charities!
The lead up to Christmas would not be the same without Kingston Rotary Club’s Tree of Goodwill outside the Bentalls Centre in Kingston. The Club have organised the tree for nearly 60 years, and over the last five years, with the strong support of Santa, have raised over £35,000 for local charities from the collections made around the tree.
Santa's Sleigh – In a street near you!
Each year Kingston Rotary Club tour the streets of Kingston with Santa's Sleigh, playing Christmas Carols as Santa waves and wishes a happy Christmas to everyone who comes to their doors and windows. Eagerly awaited by children and grown-ups alike, the sleigh is a welcome part of the build up to the Christmas celebrations.
Vocational Activities
As part of its work in the Local Community the Club also undertakes a number of vocational activities, as follows:
Mock interviews at schools – Practice makes perfect!
For more than ten years members of Kingston Rotary Club have been visiting local schools to conduct practice interviews with those in years 12 and 13 (age 16 and 17). Aimed at giving these students practice to prepare them for real life interviews at colleges and places of work, these sessions are enthusiastically received by both the students and teachers, and supported by OFSTED.
Youth Speaks Competition – Most impressive!
Youth Speaks is an annual Schools Public Speaking Competition that has been organised by Kingston Rotary Club for more than 20 years. It is part of a National competition that is organised by Rotary Clubs throughout the UK. In Kingston it has always been popular with local schools that in past years have reached the National finals.
Adult Achievement Awards
The Adult Achievement Awards is an annual event which has been organised by the Rotary Club of Kingston upon Thames since 2000. The event recognises academic and vocational achievement by those who have often had difficult personal circumstances to overcome in fulfilling personal ambitions.
Support to Local Charities
Kingston Rotary Club is a non-profit making organisation. All money raised goes to charity. Some of the charities supported over recent years are as follows:
- Born Too Soon
- Shelter Box
- Mary Preston Holidays
- Kingston Welcare
- Young Carers
- Anstee Bridge
- 1st Kingston Hill Scouts
Monies from this year's Dragon Boat Challenge are going to the ASK Charity at All Saints Church Kingston.
