Charity Breakfast 2014
President Ken was delighted to welcome members and guests to the Charity Breakfast held on Tuesday 25 February at the Europa Hotel attended by Belfast Lord Mayor Honorary Member Councillor Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, Honorary Member Dame Mary Peters, 150 business men & women, Rotarians and guests; Chief Constable Matt Baggot was the keynote speaker.
Held in aid of Club Rotary Charities the breakfast was registered as part of the "World's greatest meal in aid of End Polio Now" where Rotarians all over the world are making history by taking part in honour of Rotary's 109th anniversary and donating the funds raised for the fight against Polio and thus hoping to eradicate it forever by 2018.
President Ken thanked Rotarians and guests for coming and getting up so early; also kind sponsors Cunningham Coates and the other corporate tables - Cleaver Fulton Rankin, Danske Bank, Gordon Millington, Kennedy Morrison, Northern Ireland Science Park, Oasis Travel, PwC and Templeton Robinson; together with District 1160 Governor Elect Phillip Beggs and those from neighbouring Rotary Clubs Banbridge, Belfast West, Comber, Donaghadee, Lagan Valley, Lisburn and North Down. He also thanked Kathryn Walls, Mills Selig Solicitors, for kindly sponsoring the table crocus pots.
He stressed that the proceeds will make a considerable contribution in this Rotary week to help in the quest to rid the world of this horrible, incurable disease of Polio completely by 2018 –"we are this close"- Significantly, every $1 raised will become $3 by a generous donation from the Bill & Miranda Gates Foundation – huge supporters of Rotary's efforts. As a result every £3 raised will immunise 7 children against this crippling disease. He also highlighted that the Club is involved not only in fundraising but also in many projects locally and internationally.
Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Máirtín Ó Muilleoir said he was delighted to be involved in the Rotary Club's breakfast morning and congratulated Rotary's fantastic work around the world attempting to eliminate this harrowing disease and was confident the ultimate goal would be reached.
In his address Chief Constable Matt Baggott commended the Club for raising the profile of this fantastic cause and gave a very personal address underlining his experiences in his 37 years in policing having joined the Metropolitan Police aged 18. During this time, he has had first-hand experience of tackling inner city crime on the tough beats of Brixton and Peckhamand working on high-profile cases such as the Stephen Lawrence inquiry.
He reflected how policing policy has changed to cope with modern society and highlighted that he had never been part of a more remarkable story – working at the heart of communities in Northern Ireland. He commended the world class courage of his colleagues stating how deeply proud he was to be part of PSNI and the changes that have been embraced. He underlined that policing with the community was a major part of the Patten Report recommendation and that relationships were core noting that policing policy in NI was personal, professional and protective. He concluded his address emphasising that he felt it had been a privilege to be in Northern Ireland during this remarkable story of progress and that it was a time of great hope.
His heartfelt address was very well received by those present.
The breakfast concluded with Chief Constable Matt Baggott drawing the 3 winners in the ballot. The lucky winner of the first prize, a print by Steven Townsend, was Club member John McCleery. Picture shows Rotarians Eileen Kennedy, John McCleery, Alvin McKinley and Jenny Boyd.
Gallery
click on any image to enlarge and scroll
