The principle
The idea for Sunday Funday came about from a wish for the Club to have an event which all members could attend and actively promote both the work of Rotary locally and internationally.
Some years ago, the Rotary Club of Ramsey held a Rotoraid Day in the Mooragh Park in Ramsey. This annual event continued for many years and relied heavily on members to be highly active in the run up and on the day. Eventually, the event ceased, down in part to difficulty in doing all the different activities on the day.
In 2013, the idea came about to provide a day for the local community to enjoy which helped Island based charities. We would as a Club also have activities promoting the work of Rotary International (Polio, Wateraid, Shelterbox etc). We also engage a local events company to provide childrens entertainment such as bouncy castles etc. There is also live music from local performers.
The first year was a huge success and we vowed to keep the project going annually. It grew further in 2015 and again this year in 2016 when the District Governor, Stan Bowes, was visiting and able to see what we were up to.
Some years ago, the Rotary Club of Ramsey held a Rotoraid Day in the Mooragh Park in Ramsey. This annual event continued for many years and relied heavily on members to be highly active in the run up and on the day. Eventually, the event ceased, down in part to difficulty in doing all the different activities on the day.
In 2013, the idea came about to provide a day for the local community to enjoy which helped Island based charities. We would as a Club also have activities promoting the work of Rotary International (Polio, Wateraid, Shelterbox etc). We also engage a local events company to provide childrens entertainment such as bouncy castles etc. There is also live music from local performers.
The first year was a huge success and we vowed to keep the project going annually. It grew further in 2015 and again this year in 2016 when the District Governor, Stan Bowes, was visiting and able to see what we were up to.
The process
The planning of the event, which is always held on the second Sunday on July, to tie in with the end of National Week on the Island, begins at the tail end of the previous year.
Under a specific lead member, we have various sub committees all falling within the Community Avenue of Service. This makes planning much easier and spreads the load across many Rotarians. With regular meetings, we are always in control of the event and well prepared for minor changes required in the lead up and on the day.
We have a close association with the local town Commissioners, who grant use of the Park and the National Week committee for Ramsey.
On the day, every member of our Club on Island that day engages and we have specific job roles advised prior to the day within timings and placing for every member. This ensures that the event runs smoothly on the day for all attending.
Under a specific lead member, we have various sub committees all falling within the Community Avenue of Service. This makes planning much easier and spreads the load across many Rotarians. With regular meetings, we are always in control of the event and well prepared for minor changes required in the lead up and on the day.
We have a close association with the local town Commissioners, who grant use of the Park and the National Week committee for Ramsey.
On the day, every member of our Club on Island that day engages and we have specific job roles advised prior to the day within timings and placing for every member. This ensures that the event runs smoothly on the day for all attending.
The charities
Sunday Funday is about Charities and "not for profit organisations" making their causes known to the local community, which is often a difficult task for those without publicity machines. All we ask is that their stall includes an activity or game to engage the Public. What we don't want on the day is bucket rattling as there's no "Fun" in that.
This year we had over 30 Charity stalls and local Sports Clubs in attendance, providing games and entertainment for all the families and individuals that turned out on what was a stunning, albeit blustery day. The totals raised were well in excess of £10,000 between all the Charities but they all agree that exposure is more important than income on the day and many tell us that they have signed up volunteers from their efforts, which is great for all concerned.
This year we had over 30 Charity stalls and local Sports Clubs in attendance, providing games and entertainment for all the families and individuals that turned out on what was a stunning, albeit blustery day. The totals raised were well in excess of £10,000 between all the Charities but they all agree that exposure is more important than income on the day and many tell us that they have signed up volunteers from their efforts, which is great for all concerned.
What do Rotary do?
The Rotary Club of Ramsey are obviously responsible for the organisation of the event, its promotion and the running of the day itself. We prepare the Park, advertise the event in local press and on the radio and ensure all the relevant permissions and HSE requirements are met.
However, we do much more than that.
The Rotary Tent allows visitors to pop in for a chat and also we run a competition on the day from there too, which encourages people to say hello (kindly sponsored this year by Toymaster). This year we had numerous banners designed to show off what we do because despite being regularly involved in the town, not many people realise how much we are involved!
This year also saw the first year of the "Toilet Twinning" display (elegantly modelled at the top of this page by President Marc and District Governor, Stan). This display was both eye catching and a great talking point to show what International projects we support, having recently twinned a couple of toilets in Nepal.
The Rotary Food Stall was also in its third year and with only locally grown produce available, brings home even further, the local aspect of the day (the meat in fact born and raised within a 5 mile radius of the Town, bread produced within 1 mile). The stall raises in excess of £1000 each year which is put back into Community Projects.
However, we do much more than that.
The Rotary Tent allows visitors to pop in for a chat and also we run a competition on the day from there too, which encourages people to say hello (kindly sponsored this year by Toymaster). This year we had numerous banners designed to show off what we do because despite being regularly involved in the town, not many people realise how much we are involved!
This year also saw the first year of the "Toilet Twinning" display (elegantly modelled at the top of this page by President Marc and District Governor, Stan). This display was both eye catching and a great talking point to show what International projects we support, having recently twinned a couple of toilets in Nepal.
The Rotary Food Stall was also in its third year and with only locally grown produce available, brings home even further, the local aspect of the day (the meat in fact born and raised within a 5 mile radius of the Town, bread produced within 1 mile). The stall raises in excess of £1000 each year which is put back into Community Projects.
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