Jole Rider 2013

Jole Rider “Joins up” Rotary in April 2012.

Thanks to Lisburn, and Limavady 13 Rotary Clubs joined forces to push start the Jole Rider International Project in District 1160.

All 13 clubs collected a total 240 bicycles, and over 3000 books to send to Gambia. The first 40 ft container left a warehouse in Lisburn on Sat 18^th May 2012, and made its way to Jole Rider Headquarters in Wiltshire. In fact the books collected were so desperately needed that they were immediately shipped on to Africa the following week.

The Jole Rider Project in the UK has sent in total over 10,000 bikes to Gambia, and David Swetenham is totally astounded with the collective result managed by Rotarians in Ireland. All of participating clubs collected the required £10 per bike, and 50p per book needed for shipping to Africa.

In March 2012 the Rotary Clubs of Lisburn and Limavady, also hosted a St Patricks Day Jole Rider sponsored cycle run. Over thirty “Paddy Riders” as they are now known, collected individual sponsorship and this extra funding brought the total amount raised for Jole Rider to over £4500.

Johnsons Coffee a local Lisburn company kindly donated trucks to pick up bikes and books from around the country.

At the end of project Trevor and Peter were gobsmacked at the response from Larne, Lagan Valley, Newry, Banbridge, Armagh, Newtownards, Newtownabbey, Ballymoney, and Cookstown. But because of this success Peter ,Trevor, and PP Darren Mornin wanted to make it bigger and better!!!!

SO, WHATS HAPPENING TO JOLE RIDER 2013.

So, the inspirational plan was always to make it bigger and better, and with a further push  in 2013 the projects profile is now really starting to grow. This year Lisburn, along with 20 other nearby clubs, are set to collect over 500 bikes and perhaps 4000 school books.

During February and March 2013, all the bikes and books are once again being uplifted by Johnsons Coffee delivery trucks. Dermot Johnson MD of Johnsons Coffee has also very kindly agreed to financially sponsor Rotary Club of Lisburn`s efforts on Jole Rider over the next two years.

Lisburn Rotarian, Philip Morrow, MD of PRM Ltd, a keen supporter of the project, has also very kindly agreed to store all the bikes until they are ready to ship to the UK.

Our own Chair of International, Mervyn Shannon is busily organising the

2^nd Jole Rider Fun Run which is to be held on March 23^rd 2013. The Fun Run route is between Dungannon Enterprise Park, and the Glenavon House Hotel, Cookstown.

The sponsored bike run will once again raise additional funds for shipping the bikes to Jole Rider UK.

President Seamus, at Dungannon, and President John Smith at Cookstown are also helping this year`s run by organising the official start and finish to the day.

A Celebration Jole Rider Dinner is to be held in the evening of 23^rd March, with District Governor Jack, Matt Porter District Chair of International, and David Swetenham being in attendance.

The celebration dinner will highlight all the great efforts and enthusiasm of Rotarians who will participate this year. It will also be a great opportunity to hear first hand from David Swetenham, how we as Rotarians are making a real difference.

So, if your interested in joining our combined clubs collection to fill 2 containers , of books and bikes, contact Trevor Stewart @ 07515 577146

Disney on Ice

Following on from our successful Golf Day when Northern Ireland Childrens  Cancer fund was one of the recipients of monies raised, a small group of children were entertained with their parents at the Odyssey performance of Disney on Ice.

Once again Philip Morrow organised the event and hosted   the group in the PRM box. Refreshments were provided for all the children and their parents.

Carol Singing at Lisburn Mall

Pond Park Primary School pupils, ably conducted by music teacher Laura Kerr were the stars of the Annual Lisburn Rotary Club Carol Singing  in Lisburn Mall on Tuesday 18th December.

Organised by John McIlroy  and assisted by Collectors Colin, Robin and others some £340 was raised for Rotary charities.

Our thanks to Head Master Geoffrey Cherry for letting us avail of his wonderful choir.