US President Jimmy Carter has previously received top Rotary fellowship honour
FOUR hard-working members of Alcester and Bidford Rotary Club have been presented with one of Rotary’s most prestigious honours.
The Paul Harris Fellowship has been given to some notable figures in the past, including US president Jimmy Carter, Russian president Boris Yeltsin, and US astronaut James Lovell.
Phil Hodges, Mike Brain, Kay Blake and Bronwen Bunting were added to that list last Thursday (4th July) at their club’s annual presidential handover event.
Club president Nigel Curtis presented them with their honours, which are awarded in the name of Rotary International founder Paul Harris.
Speaking on behalf of the new fellows, Mike said: “I have been involved with community organisations since I was 20 and, now aged 75, I have never known such a unique coming together of so many enthusiastic and dedicated people from all walks of life.
“This is a great honour for the four members who have served Rotary together for approximately half a century, although we are mindful that all members fully contribute to the club’s success.”
The event also included a donation to Parkinson’s UK following a fundraising jumble sale organised by member Mary Gittus whose brother-in-law Chris has the disease, as does Mike.
In the past seven years, the club has raised over £80,000 for a variety of charities, including the Shakespeare Hospice, Dementia UK, local community fridges, Parkinson’s UK and first responders.
