We have been busy getting
ideas together for some fantastic fundraising for 2012. Over the next few months we are hoping to build
on the achievements of last year with a number of events in the pipeline
already so we thought it would be nice to have a round up on what has happened so far and what we hope to happen over the next few months...
2011 was a busy year for us
with notable milestones including the Inaugural Meeting in June with the
Charter Weekend in October which marked the conception of us as the 75th
Rotary Club in Ireland. The weekend
brought in a number of guests from all over the UK and Ireland for a
spectacular showcase for not only the Club but for the local area itself. The
weekend was a huge success thanks to the large number of local people and
businesses that helped make it a real treat for the visitors and locals alike.
As well as the Charter Night
Dinner itself there was a night of entertainment from local musicians, dancers
and performers at Ballycastle Golf Club, storytelling from Danny McGill and Liz
Weir, a civic reception hosted by Chairman of Moyle Council, Paudie McShane, a
complimentary coach trip showing off the beauty of the area courtesy of
McGinn’s Coaches with the weekend ending on a note of relaxation thanks to
Rathlin Island Ferry Ltd kindly transporting guests to Rathlin for an outing. B&Bs in the area offered guests a haven among
activities and a chance to experience some North Antrim hospitality.
We were involved in the
Rotary’s Youth Leadership programme and had the pleasure of meeting students
from Cross and Passion and Ballycastle High School. Special thanks go to Mrs Irene Kerr and Mrs Una
Kelly for helping with the competition as well as to the pupils themselves for
taking part. We were proud to have Sarah McKinley represent the Club at the
Regional Finals in Carrickfergus in November.
In terms of fundraising,
the Club with the generous help of the Central Winebar, Ballycastle hosted its
first Charity Breakfast in April which proved a massive hit. There was a Rotary ballot for a Peugeot 107
with tickets being sold at the Lammas Fair in August with the lucky winner of
the raffle announced as Alistair Laird from Cookstown. We also held a quiz in the Central Bar,
Ballycastle in December which despite the weather (and the ensuing power cut!) proved
to be a well supported and much enjoyed event with teams coming from all over
the province. The quiz was kindly hosted
by Maurice and Marie McHenry and supported widely by locals and businesses with
a whole host of prizes donated on the night including a festive hamper, sweets,
bottles of wine and vouchers which were given out to the lucky winners. The money raised was to fund Rotary Charities.
Some of the charities which
have benefited from our fundraising efforts so far have included Good Morning
Ballycastle, NI Cancer Fund for Children and the Ballycastle MS Centre. The Club is determined to help as many local
causes as possible and now looks forward to the events planned for 2012.
Our next big event will be
a “Night at the Races” starting at 8pm on 23rd March in the Central
Bar, Ballycastle which will be an excuse to not only raise some much needed
funds for charity but also promises to be a greats night’s craic where you also
have the chance to sponsor your horse beforehand as well as betting on the
night. You can sponsor a horse by contacting a Rotary member before 9th
March who will help get you a race! There
might even be some fun spot prizes on the night to be won too!
We also hope to repeat if
not better the success of our last charity breakfast with a Breakfast being held
on 21st April in the Central, Ballycastle.
This year will see The
Rotary Club of Ballycastle host the first “Spirit of Moyle Awards”. These awards will recognise some of the
people within the local area who have made a real difference in the community. Anyone
can nominate in the three categories including “Young Carer”, “Young Volunteer”
and “Community Champion” with a carefully selected panel choosing the winners
who will be presented with their awards at the President’s Ball in June.
The Club continues to be
on the lookout for new and exciting ways to help causes both locally and
further afield. It is inviting local
charities and organisations who feel they could benefit from the Club’s support
to submit an application to the secretary for consideration. Applications should include some background
information, reasons why you feel the Club should support your cause during
this term of office and your contact details.
This should be sent to the secretary at Mary O’Driscoll, 11 North
Street, Ballycastle BT54 6NB or by emailing ciaranandmary@hotmail.com by 31st
March 2012. For more information you can
also contact Mary by phone 07553359596.
The Club depends on your
support to help make each of its fundraising events a success and is always
open to new members who think their input could make a difference. Meetings are held at 7.30pm on Tuesdays in
the Central Bar, Ballycastle. You can keep up to date with news and events both
here and at www.facebook.com/BallycastleRotaryClub
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