Internationally, Rotary has been involved in the eradication of Polio since 1985. Since then the number of countries where polio is endemic has declined from more than 125 to just 4. In January 2009, Bill Gates, the founder and chairman of the Microsoft Corporation, gave Rotary a challenge. From the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation he contributed an additional $255 million on top of $100m already pledged to help with the eradication of polio in the world. However, he challenged Rotary International to raise $200 million by June 2012. Rotary Clubs throughout the world have each been asked to raise their share of this amount. For the Aberystwyth Club this amounts to £1,500 a year. The Club is meeting this challenge from donations received through the Wishing Well on the promenade and through its annual Pig Roast. So far the Club has raised £3,000 towards its £7,500 target. The Club is very grateful for all contributions received through the Wishing Well.

Rotary worldwide is publicising its work in the eradication of Polio through a series of “Thanks for Life” events based around “Rotary Day” on 23 February. Rotary in Aberystwyth is involved in a number of activities both locally and internationally. The £3,000 raised during the recent Christmas Collections though the generosity of local people will benefit a number of local Charities. Additionally, the Club has made a donation of £500 to help flood victims through an appeal launched by the Rotary Clubs of Cockermouth and Keswick. The recent choral concert at Llanbadarn Church raised over £1,600 in support of the Air Ambulance. In the last few weeks the Club has bought two Shelterboxes at a cost of £1,000 for shipment to Haiti. Your readers may have seen pictures of Shelterboxes in use in Haiti on the BBC News. Through the generosity of local schoolchildren we are raising funds for the purchase of two more Shelterboxes. We run a number of competitions for young people and our entrant in the Young Chef Competition recently won the Zone final. Once again this year we will be sending a number of children with Special Needs and Young Carers to the “Kids Out” day at Oakwood in June. These are only some of the many activities in which the Club is involved.

I hope that your readers will think of us as we celebrate Rotary Day on 23 February and take time to look at the display in Glyndwr Square. As a Club we are very grateful for the support we receive from the local community. All our work is voluntary and unpaid. Our motto is “Service above Self”. We currently have 47 members. New members are always welcome. Any of your readers who are interested in joining the Club can visithttp://www.rotaryaberystwyth.org.uk/08_new_members.htm or contact our Secretary, Colin Fletcher, on 01970 612217 who will be very pleased to hear from them.

Yours sincerely
Meurig Lewis
Llywydd/President