Ian Leech 'To inspire is within us all'

Mon, Jul 8th 2013 at 12:00 am - 12:00 am

Duty Rtn: P Rainey. Raffle by: J Threlfall. Tech duty: C Lloyd.

TO INSPIRE IS WITHIN US ALL

Ian Leech gave the first talk of the new Rotary year at the meeting of Monday, 8^th July. We were fortunate he was able to fulfil this engagement as he had started a new job that morning as Community Engagement Officer at St. Giles Hospice. Sadly, Ian lost his daughter, Melissa, 5 years ago to non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Ian described how Melissa, a keen Burton Albion and Liverpool football supporter, contracted the disease whilst at university and died the following year. He has since dedicated himself to fund-raising for the Lymphoma Association and other cancer charities, raising many thousands of pounds. He had been joined on one of his sponsored cycle rides from London to Paris by one of our members, Ron Dougan, and intends repeating the ride once more this year accompanied by his other daughter. Ian had also been chosen as one of the runners to carry the Olympic Torch through Burton last year and he brought along his torch, now inscribed with his name, for members to hold and examine. A vote of thanks was proposed by Immediate Past President, William Saunders, for an inspiring and well-presented talk.

Bob Anderson

'What We Do' Main Pages: