Supporting Local Youth

The Rotary Club of Cranleigh has supported the young people of Cranleigh and involved them in many different activities over the years.

Each year, the Club provides transport and pays for the entry fees of young people from local special schools during a day out at the Chessington World Of Adventure.

In June 2013, 13 children and 15 staff from St Joseph's School, plus 25 children and 30 staff from Jigsaw School, were able to enjoy the day. All of the children received a special Kids Out white T shirt and cap (see photo).

“Kids Out” is an annual event organised and sponsored by Rotary clubs from around the country, with several thousand young people with special needs taking part.

Each year, local schools are invited to enter the national Youth Speaks competition, in which three students speak on their chosen topic in front of an audience. Other national Rotary competitions include Young Photographer, Young Musician, Young Chef and Young Writer.

The talents of young people are also tested in the 'End Polio Now' poster and painting competition.  The 2011 winners were Sophie Thornton-Wood and Lily Mitchell, both from Cranleigh Preparatory School (photo at right). The competition advertises Rotary’s campaign over the last 25 years to rid the world of polio: every £1 donated enables 5 children to be immunised against this crippling disease.

The Cranleigh Club has made a number of donations to young people who are raising funds to help with development projects in developing countries. It has also donated hundreds of illustrated disctionaries to students of local junior schools and funded additions to their libraries (see Book and Dictionary Donations).

Each year, two students are sponsored for the week-long Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), a leadership training programme for teenagers (see separate page).

Rotarians have also helped youngsters with reading in local junior schools, taken part in “mock interviews” at Glebelands School to assist students with future job interviews, led a school chess club, donated funds to various sports clubs and sponsored a poetry prize at Glebelands School.