ROTARIANS EASTER ACTIVITIES 

This year the members of Donaghadee Rotary Club found themselves quite busy over the Easter period. On Thursday 9.4.09, at their weekly meeting, the Alf Buchanan Memorial Youth Trophy was presented by President Paul Leathem, to Naimh Black. 

Naimh a pupil at Regent House School was the winner of Donaghadee Rotary Clubs heat of The Youth Leadership Programme. In addition to the trophy Naimh received a cheque for £100 and one for a similar amount for her school. On accepting the trophy Naimh thanked the club and said that she had learned a lot about Rotary, and had been able to practice her interview skills.  

Rotarian John Kane added that the organisers of the event had been inspired by this candidate and that very little separated her from the eventual winner of the competition. Janice Adgey a teacher from Regent House School thanked the club not only on behalf of Naimh but also on behalf of the other candidates. 

Past President Mark Brooks brought along a guest Marek Stepien, who originates from Poland, and is currently lecturing at an American university. Marek is in Northern Ireland in connection with The World Fencing Championships being held at Jordanstown. 

 Marek a former world fencing champion and a keen semi professional photographer, displayed action photographs of fencers at the 2005 World Fencing Championships in Leipzig. He also had some unusual photographs taken around Bangor and Donaghadee.  He also displayed photographs he had taken of various world leaders. 

 He explained that fencing is divided into 3 categories Epee, Foil and Sabre. The competitors wear jackets and britches which cover Kevlar protection to prevent injuries. He claimed that it is a safe and beautiful sport, which can be enjoyed by all ages from 7 to 100. It encourages discipline, coordination, concentration and requires both fitness and strength. It is also a sport enjoyed by wheel-chair users in the Para Olympics. 

The President thanked Marek for his talk and for showing some great photographs. 

On Friday 11^th and Saturday 12^th of April the members were involved in collecting money for the Shelter Box charity at Bloomfield Shopping Centre. Shelter Box is a disaster relief charity that provides shelter, warmth and dignity to those who have been affected by disasters worldwide. They deliver boxes of aid to the affected areas. Each box supplies an extended family of up to 10 people with a tent and lifesaving equipment to use while they are displaced. 

On Saturday 18^th of April the members again took to the streets of Donaghadee on behalf of the Stroke association to encourage and cagoule members of the public to have their blood pressure taken. They also distributed Organ Donor cards.  

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