Rotary collects donations for Nepal, holds auction for local children

PHUKET: The Rotary Club of Patong Beach is collecting monetary donations for the victims of the recent earthquake in Nepal.

“This relates back to how many people helped us during our time in need during the 2004 tsunami,” said Brad Kenny, president of the Rotary Club of Patong Beach. “The Rotary Club of Patong Beach had more than US$1 million donated from people around the world for our relief work in Thailand.

“This is our way to acknowledge how the world opened their hearts to us and to give back on behalf of all Phuketians.

“As we collect funds, every week or so, they will be released to victims through Nepalese Rotary Clubs.”

Rotary is a 100 per cent volunteer organization, and no funds donated for charities are used for administration costs.

Rotary Club of Patong Beach is also joining hands with the Absolute Group to sponsor the Surplus Office Furniture and Sundry Items Charity Auction beginning at 10:30am tomorrow, at Absolute Sea Pearl Beach Resort in Patong.

Funds raised from the auction will go into the club’s general fund for children’s needs.

“An example of how we have used these funds in the past is emergency surgery needed by children who either have no insurance or their parents cannot afford such,” Mr Kenny said.

“Another example would be when there was a fire in one of the Patong Beach villages. We used the money to buy emergency cooking equipment, mattresses, blankets and other sundry items for families with children.

“This is a great opportunity offered to us by the Absolute Group, and an ‘absolute’ win-win situation for many people in Phuket who are in need.”

Registration for the auction begins at 10:30am and bidding starts at 11am. For more details, call 090-015 2893.

Those wishing to donate money for the Nepal disaster fund should visit rotarypatong.org and click on ‘Bank Account Details’ for directions. All donations must be followed up with an email to president@rotarypatong.org or phone call to Mr Kenny at 081-633 4279 detailing the amount that is earmarked for the fund.

— Wayne Wraiht