Heart and Stroke Issues

Early detection by Rotary Volunteers in West Cumbria

Rotarians from Whitehaven Castle supporting stroke awareness sessions

Rotary supports early detection of heart and stroke issues
Rotarians from Cockermouth, Whitehaven Castle and Direct Rotary in Cumbria & Lancashire help out.

In 2019 a group of people and organisations who were concerned about the high numbers of people having a stroke in the Copeland area got together to consider this issue. Up to 85% of strokes have the potential to be avoided, so they wanted to do something to help people find out if they have risk factors that can be identified and treated, and raise awareness of lifestyle choices that can improve their health. Rotarians involved included Elly Day from Whitehaven Castle Rotary and Kevin Walsh one of our Direct Members.

Building on earlier NHS and Rotary work, a multiagency steering group of health and care representatives including Rotary, was formed. Community events were attended where stroke prevention and awareness messages were delivered and the ‘health in a tent, in a field’ was taken around the area. Colleagues offered blood pressure and irregular pulse tests alongside a team sharing advice on simple ways people can improve their own health.

Following feedback and evaluation the programme was continued and members of Whitehaven Castle Rotary including Elly regularly visit the monthly Egremont Farmers Market to test for AF ( Atrial Fibrillation). Other events attended include Whitehaven Traders Fairs, where they are also able to do Blood Pressure testing with nurses from the Late Night Pharmacy.

Image : Elly Day (left) supporting the Copeland Stroke Prevention project

Occasionally there are sessions held in the Foyer at West Cumberland Hospital working with the Stroke Team, and last October they were very honoured to be invited along to meet Princess Anne, when she came to open the new Stroke Rehab Unit at WCH.

Rotary in West Cumbria has since become involved with another Stroke programme, this time from Cockermouth

Rotary volunteers are trained in taking Atrial Fibrillation (AF) tests in the community. They set up stalls at public events such as agricultural shows, busy market days, conferences and galas giving positive health promotion messages out as well as taking AF tests. The team make sure anybody with an abnormal result gets the right help from the right professional and so increase the early detection of heart and stroke issues.

Image : Cockermouth Volunteers

Their Community Stroke & Heart Volunteers were nominated and shortlisted from over 920 nominations for the NHS Parliamentary Awards where the team that attended from Cockermouth Rotary Club to represent the project were presented with a certificate and heard some inspirational stories from across the health and care sector. Thanks were given by the Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Secretary of State Wes Streeting MP along with many other cross-party MPs who were there to present various of the awards.

Read the Press release from Cumberland Council following the launch of the latest Partnership.

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Rotary facelift for Harris Park gates

Picture of the finished Harris Park gates....also a picture of the gates sandblasted back to bare metal before painting.

President Andy Carter and fellow club members in 2024 completed repainting of the ornate gateway into the town's Harris Park.

Our annual Golf Tournament at Cockermouth Golf Club

The Club devised a mystery treasure hunt around Cockermouth...

Rotary plant and care for this area in our town to offer a warm welcome to all who come here.

Some of the Calendar design and creation team.

It's back! The Club has once again produced the glossy calendar with fresh pictures of our gem Georgian town for each month of the year.

Raised Herb/Vegetable beds ready for cutting.

We have planted various Herb Beds around the town.

A great competition and some worthy winners

Our annual inter-school football competition...Sun 18 May 2025, 1:00pm - 3:30pm at TarnClose

Tools for Self-Reliance Partnership

Working together to bring help

The Rotary Host of Daffodils ...plans being made for 2025

2022 the Rotary Host of Daffodils

The key organisers behind the conference: Rotarian Val Ayre, President Joe Fagan, Sarah Place from Victim Support and Rotarian Andy Carter.

The Club organised the first of what are hoped to be annual conferences on important topics in the community.

Fine weather again for the tournament at Tarn Close.

Charitable Trust Grant Application Form

We normally meet on the first Monday of the month to consider any grant applications. Please ensure you read page 3 to check if you may be eligible for a grant.

Handover with a Difference

Party-goers revel in the glitzy evening at the Club's Charity Masquarade Ball.

In February 2017 Rotarian Sally Scales and her team organised a charity evening that attracted over 70 guests.

Sunny smiles from the gandstand for the 80th celebration in 2019

Exactly 80 years ago the Rotary Club of Cockermouth started on its journey to give Service above Self .

President Andy Carter presents the initial donation to Dr Jonathan Nicoll and Sister Dawn Sanderson.

The Club made its initial donation of £3,000 towards furnishings and essentials for the Henderson Suite at West Cumberland Hospital. President Andy Carter here presents the initial donation to Dr Jonathan Nicoll and Sister Dawn Sanderson.

The competitors in the 2017 Rotary Young Musicians contest...Pic Trevor Earthy

High standard of entries this year for the Young Musician contest...Pic Trevor Earthy

Showground in part of the successful Rotary Touch a Truck family shows...

Our family gala show returns in 2024 on Sunday, September 15th. Find out more at Touch a Truck Show

Good weather and fun on the faiway for the Club's golfers...

Back row:- Larry Branyan, District Governor; Joe Fagan, President Elect; Alan Tyson, Cockermouth Mayor. Front row:- Brian Mitchelhill, President; Paul Hancock, Cheshire Chief Fire Officer; Philip Straughton, President Nominee

Over 100 attendees helped the Club celebrate its 78th Charter in 2017

To help boost the Georgian town of Cockermouth the Rotary Club has once again produced a glossy calendar for the town for 2022

President Andy Carter greets DG Malcolm in August 2016

President of the Rotary Club of Cockermouth, Andy Carter welcomed Malcolm Baldwin, District Governor 2016-17.

President Andy meets Holly the bear's new owners.

Holly the bear helped raise around £200 for the Henderson Suite at West Cumberland Hospital.

Some of the team making it all happen for the Christmas party

Over 60 senior citizens enjoyed the January 2017 event. In the spirit of partnership working the Christmas Party for senior citizens in Cockermouth was this year invaded by the town's University of the Third Age Latin Dancing troupe!

Chef of the Year winner Matthew Morris and Club President

Tasty meals created by pupils of Cockermouth School for this year's Rotary Young Chef contest.

Crocus planting around Cockermouth to mark Rotary work in helping eradicate polio across the world.

Rotary Club members prepare to guide traffic for a successful Carnival 2017

Twenty plus Club members ensured the carnival was a success by directing traffic and stewarding the event.

Cockermouth Rotary Club fielded a team for the 2017 Dragon Boat Race on Derwentwater, Keswick. And they plan to race again in 2018..

Occasionally coming with a new joke book......Billy Bowman esquire

A slap up Christmas meal followed by entertainment by Billy Bowman was enjoyed by 65 senior citizens.

Welcome to Cockermouth for national President of Rotary GB and Ireland in 2018

Big turnout for the visit.

Application Form for Funding

We consider applications from individuals or groups, particularly in the Cockermouth area, subject to certain criteria. Contact our Secretary:-secretary@cockermouth.rotary1190.org for an application form to complete and return by email.

President Brian Mitchelhill&Rotarian Bob Harwood at the presentation of the ruckdacks to Nick Landells from the Cumbria Alliance.

Presentation of Rucksacks to the Cumbria Alliance who organise D of E expeditions.

Pauline and Douggie Hardie and Club President Brian Mitchelhill. Picture by Trevor Earthy

The work of Cumbrian charity Dewode in Uganda was featured at an April 2018 meeting.

Thanks to organising by Alastair Sharp and the team a DEWODE charity film night was held on the 8th June 2018

Outgoing President Jimmy Wood gets a rousing vote of Thanks as he hands over to the Club's new President Andy Carter.

President Joe Fagan and some of the senior citizens enjoying the annual Christmas event.

In 2019 again some 70 enjoyed a very successful Senior Citizens Party with Rotarians providing a Christmas feast for many who might otherwise have missed out on festive fare.

Some of the children who enjoyed Kids Out 2014

The 2014 Kids Out saw 31 children from our area enjoy a day out...

Teams taking part in the busy 2014 Primary School Technology Tournament

The Club organised highly successful Young Technology Tournaments this year 2014.

Left to right: President Nominee Dave Siddall, Chairman of James Walkers Mr Peter Needham, President Joe Fagan, District 1190 Govenor Mary Bradley, the Mayor of Cockermouth David Malloy and President Elect Phillip Straughton. (Picture :Trevor Earthy)

President Joe Fagan welcomed 86 guests to a successful Charter Celebration in 2018

President Phillip and Rotarian Val among those helping ensure Taste was a big success..

Over 25,000 enjoy Taste Cumbria weekends and Club members were out in force in 2019 selling the Rotary calendar for cockermouth and helping with the park and ride service