Jole Rider ”Joins up” Rotary

Twelve Rotary Clubs have joined forces to colllect 240 bicycles and more than 3000 books to push start the district’s Jole Rider project.

The first 40 foot container left the warehouse in Lisburn on Saturday May 18 bound for the Jole Rider headquarters in Wiltshire on the first leg of the journey to Gambia.

This latest consignment boosts the UK total contribution to something like 10,000 bikes, with all particapating Clubs collecting the £10 per bike and 50p per book required to meet the cost of shipment.

Jole Rider founder David Swetenham is naturally delighted and said ‘I am astounded by the efforts of Rotarians in Ireland’.

The Rotary Clubs of Lisburn and Limavady had hosted a St Patricks Day sponsored cycle run from the Peace Bridge in L’derry to the Roe Park Hotel and the participants, now nicknamed the ‘Paddy Riders’ helped boost proceeds for Jole Rider to an impressive £4500.

Lisburn Past President Trevor Stewart and Limavady Past President Peter Jack spearheaded the project having been inspired by  David Swetenham’s appeal for help at the RIBI conference in dublin in April.

Trevor took this on board and visited various Clubs to give vocational ‘Coffee’ job talks and grabbed the opportunity to make a plea on behalf of Jole Rider for used bikes and support for the project.

Peter was motivated to take part in an ‘Iron Man Competition’, and single handedly raised more than £2000

Johnsons Coffee kindly donated trucks to collect the bikes and books from around the country and it was from their headquarters in Lisburn that he first container was loaded and dispatched.

Trevor and Peter were gobsmacked by the whole hearted support of fellow Rotarians and really appreciated the efforts of the Rotary Clubs of:-

Lagan Valley,  Newry, Banbridge, Armagh, Dungannon, Newtownards,Ballymoney, Ballycastle and Cookstown

Peter and Trevor want to make it bigger and better next year and ask any club interested in joining forces next year with a view to filling two containers with bikes and books to contact Trevor

Mobile                     0715577146

E mail                    “Trevor Stewart” <jtlrestaurants@btinternet.com>

Photos of Jole Rider events are on the Gallery on this site

Presidents Gala Night

Dine,Dinner and   Dance at Presidents Gala Night  on Saturday 2nd June at Europa Hotel

A sparkling night of variety featuring Katie and the Carnival  and Special Guest Star Dukes Special

Cocktails from 6.45pm   Dinner served 7.30pm sharp

Proceeds in aid of Lisburn Rotary and Bruiser Theatre company(www.bruisertheatrecompany.com)

Dedication Of Chair in Memory of Past President Brian Burke

On Tuesday 8th May members of the Rotary Club of Lisburn joined with members of  the Rotary Club of Lagan Valley, to dedicate a chair in the Castle Gardens, Lisburn in memory of Brian Burke, Past President of  the Rotary Club of Lisburn and Paul Harris Fellow who passed away early in 2o11

Brian’s wife Edith and daughter Gaynor joined the Mayor Brian Heading at the dedication.

The Chair was organised by the Lagan Valley Club in appreciation of all the support given to them by PP Brian in the formation and early years of the Club.

Members of both Clubs enjoyed a meal in the Lisburn College of further education where PP Brian had been an leadingf member of the Rotary Club Kitchen Club for many years and where he also was involved in the Hairdressing School.

Visit to Ulster Aviation Society

On Friday 4th May a group of Lisburn  Rotarians were given a tour of the hangar at the Maze.

Finny O’Sullivan arranged and hosted the group

Go Karting and Barbecue

On 21st April,the Lisburn Rotary Karting Grand Prix at Superdrive Portadown was thoroughly enjoyed by20 competitve participants ingood driving condiions.

Gavin Black was the overall winner,Andrew Morrow was runner up with Emma Morrow coming in third.

Everyone then returned to the Hungry House to further test their driving skills.

A superb BBQ, refreshments and sumptuous desserts were then enjoyed by all and great thanks are due to Philip and his team.