Rotary St Helens, Griffin Inn Church Lane, Eccleston, Saint Helens (2026)

18/06/2026

Rotary St Helens Supports Books4Home – Helping Children Discover the Joy of Reading
Did you know that 1 in 5 children aged 5 to 8 do not have a book of their own at home?

Research shows that children who own books are six times more likely to read above the expected level for their age than those who do not. A simple book can make a lasting difference to a child's education, confidence, and future opportunities.

That is why Rotary Books4Home is such an important initiative.

Books4Home:
Gives children the opportunity to own a book of their very own
Encourages a lifelong love of reading
Inspires children to share stories and reading experiences with family and friends
Helps improve literacy and educational outcomes

Rotary St Helens is proud to be a committed supporter of the Books4Home programme and welcomes enquiries from individuals, organisations, and schools.

Giving Books a Second Life
Many schools have very few, and in some cases no, library books available for their pupils.
Through Rotary Books4School Libraries, unwanted books are collected, recycled, and distributed to schools where they are needed most.
These books help establish new school libraries or enhance existing collections, providing children with greater access to reading materials.
Books that might otherwise be discarded are given a second chance to Make a Difference in the World by inspiring young readers and supporting education.

How You Can Help
Contact us if your school needs help providing books for children to keep. Support Rotary St Helens in expanding access to reading opportunities for local children

Together, we can help every child experience the magic of owning a book and develop a love of reading that lasts a lifetime.

For more information about book donations or support for schools, please get in touch with Rotary St Helens.

02/06/2026

Last night at Rotary St Helens, we were delighted to welcome Becky Deverell, a fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House Charity at Alder Hey Children's Hospital.
Becky gave a fascinating and inspiring presentation about the incredible work carried out by the charity in supporting families during some of the most challenging times of their lives.

The Ronald McDonald House Charity provides free accommodation and support for families whose children are receiving treatment in hospital, enabling parents, carers, and siblings to stay close to their loved ones when they need it most. The charity offers comfortable bedrooms and family apartments, as well as practical facilities such as kitchens, laundry rooms, lounges, and communal spaces, helping families maintain a sense of normality during difficult circumstances. Staff and volunteers are also available around the clock to provide emotional and practical support.

Becky explained how the Alder Hey house, affectionately known as "Mac House", is one of the largest Ronald McDonald Houses in Europe, with more than 80 bedrooms and apartments supporting thousands of families every year. By removing the burden of accommodation costs and lengthy daily journeys, the charity allows families to focus on what matters most – being together.

Our members were deeply moved by Becky's presentation and left with a greater appreciation of the vital role the charity plays in the lives of so many families. Thank you, Becky, for sharing your knowledge, passion, and dedication with us.

28/04/2026

Alan Dickinson treated us to an evening about Rabbie Burns. He was clearly a man wise beyond his years, but did Rabbie Burns ever consider that he would be providing us with words to live by some 300 years after his time? The evening was about, Tam o’ Shanter” the famous narrative poem by Robert Burns (1790). It mixes humor, horror, folklore, and moral warning.
The poem begins by introducing Tam, a farmer who loves drinking and socializing. He often stays too long at the pub while his wife, Kate, waits angrily at home. Burns sets up the moral theme: pleasure and fun can be dangerous when taken too far.
The stormy ride home
One night, Tam stays out, especially late drinking. He finally rides home on his loyal horse Maggie during a violent storm. The atmosphere turns dark and eerie as he passes haunted places and graveyards.

Some of theCharacters

Tam o’ Shanter
A farmer who loves drinking and having fun. Not a bad man, but careless and irresponsible. His weakness is staying too long at the pub.
Kate (Tam’s wife) Angry and frustrated with Tam. She represents responsibility and common sense. She often warns Tam about his behavior.
Maggie (the horse) Tam’s loyal and patient horse. Smarter and more cautious than Tam. Helps save his life during the escape.
Nannie (Cutty Sark) A young witch wearing a short dress ("cutty sark" means short shirt). Tam is so impressed and excited by her dancing that he forgets the danger, She leads the witches chasing him.
Alan's presentation was excellent, everyone was sucked in, and there was a great atmosphere.
Many thanks Alan

27/04/2026

Lendwithcare is a UK-based microfinance initiative that connects people who want to help fight poverty with entrepreneurs in low-income countries by providing small business loans.

Brief summary
It is run by CARE International UK, part of the global CARE humanitarian network
Founded: Launched in 2010 and headquartered in London.
People can lend small amounts (from about £15) directly to entrepreneurs in developing countries to help start or grow businesses.
How it works (in simple terms)
Entrepreneurs apply for small loans through local partner organisations.
Lenders choose who to support via the online platform.
The entrepreneur uses the loan to build their business.
The loan is repaid over time, and lenders can reinvest or withdraw their money.
Key features
Focus on microfinance: Helps people who lack access to traditional banking and financial services.
100% of loan funds go to entrepreneurs (operating costs are covered by donations).
Works with local microfinance partners in multiple countries to reach underserved communities.
Aims to help people work their way out of poverty with dignity by creating sustainable livelihoods.
In short: Lendwithcare is a peer-to-peer micro-lending platform that enables individuals to support small businesses in low-income countries, helping reduce poverty through entrepreneurship.

23/04/2026

Happy St Georges Day

14/04/2026

Rotary St Helens invites you to embark on a captivating journey through the heart of our community with a unique "sit-down walk" of our historical town centre. Designed to transport you back over a century, this engaging 45-minute presentation offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of our local landscape. Through a curated collection of imagery and narrative, you will discover the hidden stories of the iconic buildings that once defined our streets and see how they have transformed into the landmarks we recognise today. Join us as we bridge the gap between our rich heritage and the modern day, inviting you to look back at our roots, appreciate our surroundings, and share in an optimistic vision for the future of this great historical town.

The Pilkington Room, St Helens Town Hall
10am-12.30pm Art Club
12.30pm-1pm - change furniture set up to rowed seating
1pm-1.45pm - Talk: 150th anniversary of St Helens Town Hall
2pm-2.45pm - Talk: St Helens Rotary Heritage Trail
2.45pm-3pm time for clearing the space

14/04/2026

Change of Meeting Venue – Rotary Club of St Helens

To all our Members and Friends,

We would like to inform you that the meeting venue for the Rotary Club of St Helens has changed from the 13th April 2026

Until further notice, all meetings will now be held at:

The Stanley Arms
Gillars Lane
Eccleston
St Helens
WA10 5PT

Meeting dates remain unchanged Time:600pm for 6:15pm

Please update your records accordingly, and we look forward to seeing you at our new venue.

13/04/2026

A Basket Full of Smiles: Bridging Generations this Easter in St Helens.
Easter is often synonymous with chocolate eggs and spring blooms, but for the residents of Waterside Care Home this year, the true highlight wasn’t found in a wicker basket. Instead, it arrived in the form of handwritten envelopes, brimming with colour, kindness, and the unmistakable, messy joy of childhood.

The "Easter Connection" project, a heart-warming initiative spearheaded by Rotary St Helens, turned a simple exchange into an unforgettable memory.

The process began weeks ago, when members of Rotary St Helens visited Bleak Hill Primary School. Armed with a list of names—each belonging to a resident at the Waterside Care Home—they entrusted the pupils with a special mission: to make ‘Easter Special’

The classroom was quickly transformed into a creative workshop. Crayons snapped, glitter was applied with reckless abandon, and concentration filled the air as the children carefully penned personal messages. Some cards featured wobbly-legged bunnies, others depicted sun-drenched daffodils, and all were addressed to someone specific, ensuring that every resident would know they were being thought of.

“It wasn’t just about the art," said one Rotary member. "It was about the bridge being built between two different worlds. These children were learning that a small act of kindness can make a significant impact on someone else's day.”

When the day of delivery arrived, the members of Rotary St Helens set off to Waterside with a bundle of cards that felt more like a treasure chest than paper. As they moved from room to room, the atmosphere in the home began to shift.

For the residents, receiving a card from a child they had never met was a poignant moment of connection. There was a quiet rustle of envelopes being opened, followed by the soft hum of voices reading the heartfelt messages aloud. Many residents traced the colourful drawings with trembling fingers, touched by the time and effort taken by a stranger to brighten their holiday.

In a world that often feels disconnected, Rotary St Helens and Bleak Hill Primary School proved that the spirit of Easter—of renewal and hope—is best nurtured when we reach out to one another. Thanks to this cross-generational partnership, Waterside Care Home wasn’t just celebrating a holiday; they were celebrating the enduring power of community, one handmade card at a time.

It was, by all accounts, an Easter that won't soon be forgotten—a gentle reminder that a little bit of glitter and a lot of heart can bridge any gap.

Picture of resident provided by Waterside Care Home Eccleston.

12/04/2026

Some of the Charity Golf day Highlights

12/04/2026

Paul Harris Award to John Kilgannon
At our annual Charity Golf Day at The Royal Birkdale Golf Club a Paul Harris Fellowship Award was presented to John Kilgannon

A Rotary Paul Harris Fellow award is one of the highest honours that Rotary can bestow. It recognises not only commitment, but a genuine desire to make a difference in the
lives of others whether as a Rotarian or not.
We are delighted to present this award to someone who is not a Rotarian, yet embodies everything that Rotary stands for.

Through his generous support and tireless efforts in recent years he has boosted this Charity Golf event surplus we are able to distribute to local charities in need. crucially offsetting the
substantial rising cost of staging this event.
His contribution has made a real and lasting difference within our community. President Jonathan presented his Paul Harris Award to a truly deserving individual. John
Kilgannon.

Rotary St Helens

18/06/2026

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27/04/2026

23/04/2026

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