Lunchtime Speaker – Swimathon presentations

This week the Club presented cheques from the proceeds of last October’s Swimathon to three more local charities. This was in addition to the cheques presented to Woking & Sam Beare Hospice and Woking High School earlier this month. The cheques were presented by Richard Roberts from Trident Honda, which has been the main sponsor of the Swimathon since it started. The three charities in attendance were:- Woking Youth Theatre, which was represented by Jo Hazelton (Stage Manager/Props & Costume) and Alex Hazelton (an actor and director); Riding for the Disabled Association- Woking & Chobham Group (also known as SAMBER), which was represented by Sue Turok its Chair and Coach and by Pennie King (Treasurer); and GASP Motor Project represented by its CEO Alex Thompson. Woking Youth Theatre is an amateur theatre group for young people aged 14-21. It puts on plays and musicals, mainly at the Rhoda McGaw Theatre in Woking. These are of very high quality and the group has won many awards. It is planning to spend the donation on a bursary for a young person. Riding for the Disabled-Woking & Chobham Group (SAMBER) which is based at Higher Park Farm in Chobham, teaches riding to children with physical or learning difficulties working with White Lodge, Fremantle School and Hermitage School. It is planning to purchase specialiist equipment including a customised sheepskin saddle for a young rider with the donation. GASP Motor Project delivers accredited courses in basic motor mechanics and practical engineering skills to children aged 14-16 working with local schools. GASP provides specialist, practical, hands-on learning either at its fully equipped workshop in Albury (near Guildford) or through its mobile unit, which enables it to bring the courses out to schools and youth organisations across Surrey. It wishes to buy new tyrechanging and wheelchanging equipment with the money that the Club has donated to it. Club President Carol Cheesman and Terry Smith, Events & Fundraising Chair, thanked Richard Roberts very much for presenting the cheques. They also thanked the charities for their dedication and the very worthwhile work that they do and for coming to our lunch meeting.