FUNDRAISING for those in need has been at the heart of the Rotary Club of Brentwood since it received its foundation charter on November 8, 1932.
It remains something dear to the club, which celebrated its anniversary 80 years to the day at the Masonic Hall in Willow Close, Hutton on Thursday last week.
One of the club's longest serving members, Grahame Rudkins, 80, said: "There are numerous causes which we have a hand in on an on-going and annual basis.
"As far as the Brentwood branch is concerned, every year we take children who use the SNAP (Special Needs and Parents) centre to a pantomime, and to Legoland.
"We also hold an annual concert for the St Thomas youth orchestra in order to raise funds that allows them to have a professional conductor."
Rotary International, the parent organisation of all Rotary Clubs, defines itself as "a global network of 1.2 million business and professional leaders, all volunteering their time and talents to serve their communities and the world".
Mr Rudkins continued: "The Brentwood branch is unusual in that we are involved with projects overseas. One of the biggest to date is our work with a branch in Denmark who we meet once a year to provide supplies to two Ugandan schools.
"We went on BBC Essex to raise funds for sewing machines to be sent to their schools. We're currently funding a classroom for them.
"The project that has been most spectacular is the effort to eradicate polio. The Rotary Foundation – the international Rotary charity and one of the largest in the world – has played a part in eliminating the disease since 1982. Now there are only four countries, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Chad, and small areas of Pakistan where cases of polio still occur".
Mr Rudkins, a retired chartered civil engineer, has been a member for 39 years and was invited to join by his wife's uncle.
In 1992/93 he served as district governor, a role which involved him representing the club at international events.
Mr Rudkins said: "There are 29 districts in the country, and 520 throughout the world. As district governor I was duty-bound to meet with the other governors, although for that I had to be trained" continues Mr Rudkins.
"I have spread my wings a bit throughout the years in Rotary."
He was labelled by fellow Rotarian Tom Allden, a former chairman of the fundraising committee and member of 15 years, as "the father of Brentwood Rotary".
By the time its 50th anniversary came around in 1982, the club was raising about £2,000 a year.
Club president Peter Franklin was unable to put a figure on the amount the group has raised to date.
Speaking of Thursday's event, he added: "As well as celebrating the Rotary Club's 80th anniversary at the charter night, I consider it an opportunity to thank the people of Brentwood for supporting the club throughout the years.
"They have played a big role in its success."
