Charities we are supporting in 2022/2023

There are four Presidential charities that we will be supporting this year. Details of the four charities are provided below. We will also be providing financial support to local charities and communities through the Helping Hand initiative, the Royal British Legion, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and the DEC Pakistan Floods appeal.

Project Lifeline

Since the war in Ukraine started North Cotswold Rotary members Greg and Lorraine Staniek have been working tirelessly to help refugees in need who have fled to Poland. Using their knowledge of the area the couple have been in direct contact with local authorities in Poland to assess and meet the needs of refugees in several small towns in the south of the country. Every 2-3 weeks a large lorry of supplies has left Bouton-on-the-water for Poland. Donations and medical supplies have also been transported into Ukraine for hospitals in Lviv and Kiev, some of which are then forwarded to soldiers on the front line.

If you wish to donate to support the Lifeline Appeal please click on the donate button. We will ensure that every penny donated plus gift aid will go to support Greg and Lorraine’s initiative. They are clearly making a huge difference to the lives of mainly women and children fleeing the conflict.

Headspace

Based in Bourton-on-the- water Headspace is a safe space for young people struggling to cope with life’s ups and downs, to be valued and heard. The charity provides counselling, wellbeing activities and parent support groups. Headspace has been funding fifteen hours of counselling per week for children who attend The Cotswold School since January 2020. They have made a real difference to young people struggling to cope. Their vision is to expand this provision to serve more young people in the North Cotswolds and develop the type of services they can offer.

North Cotswold Community Awareness

It’s a shocking fact that within the idyllic countryside setting of the Cotswolds, local children are going without basic requirements such as a bed to sleep in, warm clothing or food. North Cotswold Community Awareness (NCCA) responds where there is urgent and immediate need. Specifically, NCCA supports vulnerable and low-income families and provides Christmas parcels. Through the network of primary school Parent Support Advisers, Health Visitors, District Nurses and Home-Start, NCCA provides help in the form of children’s clothing, school uniform, shoes, books, stationery, toys, baby equipment and household goods. Assistance is also given with funding when professional counselling or therapy is required for psychologically damaged children, or when it is considered a child would benefit from social interaction or an unaffordable school trip.

Sunflowers Suicide Support

Sunflowers Suicide Support was set up in memory of Pete Morris who took his own life in 2016 aged 29 years old by Pete’s family, to walk alongside others affected by suicide and be the small ray of light in the darkness; offering others comfort and support. Sunflowers Suicide Support endeavour to provide other families with practical and professional support so they do not feel overwhelmed and alone. The charity

also raise awareness around mental health and suicide both on social media and by networking locally and nationally. They deliver accredited training to the wider community and highlight that it is Okay to not be ‘Okay’ and the importance of talking and of course listening.