Lee Burke

As the Business Development Manager at Petty Pool Outdoor Centre in South Cheshire, Lee’s role involves giving the young people who visit a better understanding of themselves and pushing their own boundaries through fun and educational challenges and activities.

The programmes include outdoor activity courses for schools and youth groups, and trips to the trust are often sponsored by a Rotary club. The visits help build young people’s leadership, communication and teamwork skills. Lee also educates visitors about Rotary with several RotaKids clubs being formed as a result of a visit.

Lee’s leadership and drive enhances the lives of all of the young people using the facilities at Petty Pool Centre in Northwich.

As business manager of this South Cheshire-based Outdoor Centre, Lee, pictured above, is tireless in his pursuit of fine-tuning existing projects and introducing new themes to encourage kids to ‘go beyond’ their capabilities. Climbing and abseiling, canoeing and zip wiring are among the activities on offer, while nature and stream walks, den building, and orienteering are also available.

The project, part of an Education Centre set in 40 acres of woodland, invigorates, educates and challenges participants, increasing their self-confidence and feelgood factor.

They are values which coincide with the Rotary values of problem-solving, resilience, leadership and teamwork.

Many of the visitors come through the education system, but its courses cater for the likes of Urban Kids Go Outdoors, Rotary Youth Leadership Award summer camp, plus visitors from Malta and China who are visiting through Rotary sponsorship.

New RotaKids and Interact Clubs have been formed and the use of social media has helped enormously for Petty Pool to connect and engage with its young audience.

Practical projects are encouraged to benefit the community such as a sensory garden in a nearby park, a walkway and flower beds at a nearby school.

According to Lee, it’s all about turning learning into fun, and for the centre to go that extra mile to get the best out of each group of visitors

Lee expressed his surprise at the nomination and confirmed his delight at an opportunity to visit the House of Lords Awards evening. He said: “There are few times in my life when I am speechless and this is one of them. I would like to thank everyone for their kindness and support and to say what a pleasure it is to do what I am doing and to have the opportunity to promote the family of Rotary.”