Trip to Costwold Wild Life Park for Thame's Ukraine refugees

Ukrainian refugee families who now live in Thame and neighbouring villages enjoyed a day out in Cotswold Wildlife Park on Wednesday, 17 August 2022. The group traveled on a coach booked by Rotary Phoenix Thame and District. Lightfoots Solicitors, Lucy Electric, Field Sales Solutions, Richardsons and Waitrose have also generously contributed towards the trip costs. Peter Hook and John Singer, co-presidents of Rotary Phoenix, with support from the local community in Thame have made sure this trip will be a success.

Some Ukrainians carried their country’s flag and others were wearing national costumes. A total of 47 Ukrainians boarded the coach which set off near Thame Town Hall at 10.00. Thame's Mayor, Cllr Paul Cowell, wished them all a great day.

Rotary Phoenix Thame and District has changed. It transformed into a progressive, project-based, local community club, with multi-generational appeal, from the age of 18 till the young at heart. Our coffee mornings are laid back, so people who have children are more than welcome to bring them along. There is no need to worry about childcare. 

Newcomers are more than welcome to bring new project ideas. Here are some of the projects Rotary in Thame has been working on: volunteering for Tiggywinkles in September, Shoe Box collections in September and October, senior citizens tea party in December. 

Rotary Phoenix can be contacted via www.thame.rotary1090.org

orwww.facebook.com/thamerotary

orhttps://www.instagram.com/thame.rotary/

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This is the official statement copied in full from the Rotary International website 

It is a tragic and sad time for the people of Ukraine and the world.

At Rotary, we are deeply concerned by the deteriorating situation in Ukraine and the escalating loss of life and humanitarian hardship there. Continued military action against Ukraine will not only devastate the region, but also risk spreading tragic consequences across Europe and the world.

As one of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations, we have made peace the cornerstone of our global mission. We join the international community in calling for an immediate cease fire, withdrawal of Russian forces, and a restoration of diplomatic efforts to resolve this conflict through dialogue.

In the past decade, Rotary clubs in Ukraine, Russia and nearby countries have transcended national differences and have actively engaged in peace-building projects to promote goodwill and to marshal assistance for the victims of war and violence. Today, our thoughts are with our fellow Rotary members and others in Ukraine coping with these tragic events. Rotary International will do everything in its power to bring aid, support and peace to the region.

Rotary International 25-Feb-2022

To read more about Rotary’s activities under our Area of Focus Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention:

Rotary Peace Fellows website – that describes the seven Rotary peace Centres around the globe and our growing group of peace fellow alumni. https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/peace-fellowships 

The Rotary Foundation pages for our Rotary district in the Thames Valley 

Rotary International’s pages on Peace 

Introduction to the Rotary Foundation 

Rotary in Ukraine