Rotary Club of Loughton, Buckhurst Hill & Chigwell meets on Thursdays at 6.30pm at The Blue Boar, Abridge, RM4 1UA

Club contact: Pesh on 020 85002527 / 07973166940 or pesh@londonresidential.co.uk website: www.loughtonrotary.org.uk facebook: www.facebook.com/rotarylbc.

We had an inspirational sixth form student, Sana, talk to us last week about her recent World Challenge trip to Nicaragua. This was a four-week expedition with four main phases: acclimatisation, trekking, two community projects and rest. The acclimatisation phase involved a self-catered trek whilst the trek phase itself was physically demanding five-day wild camping expedition with five peaks to ascend in five days. Sana said "avoiding snakes and other creepy crawlies was the biggest challenge." The phase which she most enjoyed though was the community engagement one where they were immersed in the life of locals for two weeks and got a chance to contribute something meaningful back to the locals. This included the renovation of one school in disrepair and volunteering at another school which supports vulnerable children, many of whom suffer from domestic violence, by keeping them in education and out of trouble. Alongside her studies, part time job and babysitting, she has done odd jobs and been selling sweets and cakes at school daily towards her fundraising target of £3,400 which LBC Rotary have supported.

On Friday, LBC Rotary are supporting Chigwell Riding Trust at their annual barn dance, this is one of the highlights of the year and not to be missed. Tickets are still available. Call the trust on 020 8500 6051

On Saturday we’re supporting Stroke Awareness with free blood pressure checks at Love Loughton, St Mary’s Church, Loughton from 12pm to 4pm. Please drop by and say hello.

On October 14 we are holding a fun quiz in aid of The Lily Foundation. It was founded in Lily's memory, having lost her battle to mitochondrial disease at just eight months old. The charity aims to give hope, answers and support to the many other children and families that face the challenges of this disease today.

We're a lively, friendly and social club with a good mix of local people who care. We’d be very happy to talk to you further about our club and you would be very welcome to join us at one of our fellowships. Just some of the charities we’ve helped recently include Chigwell Riding Trust, Loughton Food Bank, St Clare Hospice, Marie Curie Cancer and End Polio, Diabetes UK. Voluntary Action Epping Forest, Citizens Advice Bureau Epping Forest.

Please contact Pesh if you would like to get involved with Rotary in any capacity.

Rotary Club of Chingford meets on Tuesdays at 7.30pm at Gilwell Park, Chingford, E4 7QW.

Club contact: Mike Spall on 01992 760191 07438 284530 Email: mike.r.spall@gmail.com

We support many local charities including the Walthamstow Social Centre for the Blind, which organises social meetings and entertainment throughout the year on a fortnightly basis.

Meeting at Winchester Road Methodist Church, Highams Park, the centre is open to all blind or partially sighted residents of Waltham Forest.

When necessary and depending upon home location, some transport by volunteer drivers can sometimes be arranged.

Any interested residents of the borough are invited to telephone 0208 531 3443 (Tony) or 0208 529 3851 (Alan)

We are hoping to raise enough money for a Shelter Box to be shipped to the Caribbean Hurricane Disaster and will be collecting locally this coming weekend.

The Rotary Club of Leytonstone & Woodford meets on Thursdays at 6pm for 6.30pm at Chigwell Convent, 803 Chigwell Road, Chigwell, IG8 8AU.

Club contact Rashid Ebrahimkhan 020 8559 2787 or http://www.rotaryleytonstonewoodford.org/

The club’s traditional day out to thank the immediate past president for his year was a visit to Twickenham for a behind the scenes tour of the stadium. This was an appropriate choice with IPP Alan being a keen rugby fan.

This year’s district governor, Mike Hodge, together with his wife Debbie, visited the club. Mike spoke about this year’s message, which is publicising your club, an aspect which Mike commented favourably upon in respect of ourselves, especially the website.

Our monthly Memory Café continues to thrive and provide a couple of hours of entertainment which includes a quiz, bingo, singing and the all-important tea, coffee and cake. This cafe is for guests with early dementia, along with their carer, held at the convent in Chigwell on the last Friday of each month from 10am to 12noon. For more details contact John on 020 3597 2921.

Would you like to help the local community? Then, why not consider joining Rotary? We are an informal, friendly and welcoming club. Contact John on 020 3597 2921 for more details.

Rotary Club of Woodford Green meets on Mondays at 1pm at Epping Forest Hotel, Woodford Green.

Club contact: David: 0208 989 2701 email: counters20111@hotmail.co.uk>

Club Programme:

Monday September 18: business meeting

Monday September 25: The Mayor of Redbridge, Linda Huggett.

Monday October 2: Fellowship

Monday October 9: Bernard Walker, manager of the Best Western

Monday October 16: Dr Singh on Sikhism

Saturday October 28: fundraiser at Abridge Village Hall 3. Three lovely ladies sing 1940’s music. Admission costs £20 and includes a light buffet.

We are now looking for new members, men and women, who would like to join us at Monday lunchtimes.