General Meeting

Thursday, 1 May 2025 Breakfast meeting Guest- Anne Hill, Robert Mc Farlane, Jenny McCarthy Apologies- David M, Gerry, Godfrey, Hilary, Jean, Lesley, Marian, Nick, Pippa, Spyros, Trevor. Birthdays- Maggie last weekend and Andrew M next week. Many happy returns. Grace given by Paul Fundraising- Car Parking 29/5 sheet in folder. Social- In house quiz night 3/6. International- TWAM successful morning last Saturday. Com Voc- Gardening at the hospital on Saturday all welcome. Membership- Anne’s induction plans are well underway! AOB- Sue Lynge will be joining us on 5/6 from the Waterloo Centre.- Canterbury Rotary have erected Longmarket � � a water fountain in the Canterbury - AGM 22/5 committee reports to Fiona please for circulation.- VE Day 8/5 appropriate headgear suggested to be worn.- Robert is riding many miles in the Pilgrims hospice bike ride this weekend, he will bring his sponsor sheet next week. Adam Robert’s son successfully completed the London marathon on Sunday - well done. Jenny McCarthy, EK Carers- Introduced herself- Thanked the club for the support this year. 1 - Support all carers 16 and above. Jenny told us about how she experienced first hand the challenges of being a carer when her mother in law recovered following a leg fracture Lived with her for 6 months.- The laptop funded with a district grant is being used to progress the ‘time for me’ programme, giving carers well earned breaks and experiences.- Cost of living challenges and the need to give up work to provide care impacts greatly, EK Carers have set up a money matters programme to support carers maximise the household income.- A new 2 year programme for parent carers is being set up.- Opening their first charity shop in the old Barclays Bank building in Whitstable. The shop will be on the ground floor with a small private meeting space. The first f loor will eventually be a community space and working hub for the charity. Donations for the store gratefully received, no electrical equipment at present.- The charity links with the wider support community, including Revival, Riverside, etc.- The club suggested EK Carers work with Mel to put on a fire-walk, organised with a specialist company, to raise funds for EK Carers.- Sue will discuss future potential support for EKCarers with David and Ian. Master at Arms both absent this week so we escaped fines! Raffle Maggie won the Rotary scarf.  Final toast given by Andrew M. Next meeting 8/5 7.30 for 8am at the Plough Inn