28 days to go. Incredible that since yesterday's blog entry, we've received no less than 7 new entries!
A new club in Canada, who I saw mentioned on their webpage when I did the Rotary Global Swimarathon google search The Rotary Club of Perth in Ontario. Then the Rotary Club of Pigeon Forge in the US became the 65th Club registered and the 8th in the USA
This morning woke up to discover that both the Rotary Club of South Gladstone and the Rotary club of Cairns North had registered in Queensland Australia.
Finally , just as I was updating the details, 3 clubs joined us in Pakistan thanks to a fantastic father and son team of Rtn Saleem Ahmad Khan President of Rotary Club of Lahore Metropolitan and Hammad Khan President of the Interact Club of Redwood, and then to cap it all we even have our first Earlyact club (ages 9-12) registered the EarlyAct Club of Greenwood. Absolutely incredible to have them joining us , means so very much to have that commitment in a part of the world where Polio is still an endemic reality.
With 70 clubs fully registered, we now have 1 in every 500 Rotary clubs in the entire world taking part!
Picked up our own local paper this morning, the Grantham Journal which has always been a fantastic supporter of our club. There we were , our chair Roger Graves and me pictured on the frontpage with the lead news story- wonderful to think that the event just grows and grows with your continued support we really might see Rotary Global Swimarathon making headline news around the world.
We have an incredible opportunity to showcase the Rotary family around the globe.
Let's make this an event the world will truly be proud of !
Showing posts with label Press Swimarathon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Press Swimarathon. Show all posts
Friday, 27 January 2012
Monday, 9 January 2012
An Incredible Global community of swimmers united to End Polio Now!
46 days to go.
Another milestone reached, as we can announce our 40th full registered club taking part in the event.
The Rotary Club of Mawddach in District 1180 Wales, became our first entry from Wales, and our 17th overall in Great Britain and Ireland - many thanks to Rotarian Beryl Clark for registering your club.
We're reaching ever more countries as well - just today Ellen Yu from the Rotaract club of Shanghai, China confirmed that their club had voted to take part - so very much look forward to them joining the list.
Sometimes, rather than words, a simple picture will suffice. Here's a first draft map capturing all of the clubs signed up to date around the world - just wonderful to see it all here
View Rotary Global Swimarathon participants map
Another milestone reached, as we can announce our 40th full registered club taking part in the event.
The Rotary Club of Mawddach in District 1180 Wales, became our first entry from Wales, and our 17th overall in Great Britain and Ireland - many thanks to Rotarian Beryl Clark for registering your club.
We're reaching ever more countries as well - just today Ellen Yu from the Rotaract club of Shanghai, China confirmed that their club had voted to take part - so very much look forward to them joining the list.
Sometimes, rather than words, a simple picture will suffice. Here's a first draft map capturing all of the clubs signed up to date around the world - just wonderful to see it all here
View Rotary Global Swimarathon participants map
Sunday, 8 January 2012
It's a small world after all!
47 Days to go.
A fantastic illustration today of how far Global Swimarathon has got in terms of spreading around the world. Today I received this message on our Rotary Club of Grantham facebook page
Turns out that Janet was in a travel agent in Mareeba booking a trip back to Grantham, and the lady dealing with her (Ida Portella is it you?) was talking about Rotary and the subject of Swimarathon came up and how Mareeba were going to be joining in - amazing to think that someone from our town all those thousands of miles away will be able to "represent" Grantham at their event - just puts a huge smile on my face!!
It may be a big old world, but it really has been made a lot smaller through the support and fellowship of the worldwide Rotary family!
Saturday, 7 January 2012
Heartfelt thankyou's for everyone that's helped us along the way - Part 1
48 Days to go. Today I just wanted to take a few moments to reflect and acknowledge the remarkable support of some key people in the Rotary and sporting communities that have transformed swimarathon from a local project with a dream into a wonderful worldwide charity event.
Back in April 2011, when we first set out to make contacts with the wider Rotary world, we set up a facebook presence and gradually started getting the message out there. We had some great help via Rotarian Simone Carat Collins chair of the recently founded Rotary on Social Networking Fellowship and all the members, which really helped us get established and build up some supporters.
Next big breakthrough was when Rotarian Noelene Jorgensen of Port Elizabeth Rotary in District 9320 South Africa, picked up news of her event - and wow did she run with it. As a keen swimmer herself , with lots of local contacts in the swimming community, she immediately went out and got a pool secured, and then set about spreading the word throughout her district. She even invited us to attend her District conference to speak about the event which unfortunately we were unable to attend. Her support has resulted in at least 4 South African clubs signing up to date , including 3 in her District.
Meanwhile over in Australia, Rotarian Susanne Rea, fundraising officer for The Rotary Foundation (TRF) in District 9550 Queensland , continued to spread the word about our project at every possible District opportunity, which resulted in an extraordinary breakthrough. Marcel McLeod President of Townsville Rotary, had been talking with legendary Open water marathon swimmer and distance world record holder Penny Palfrey (based in Townsville) about a swimming event for End Polio Now, and when Marcel and Penny heard about our project from Susanne, rather than seeing it as a conflicting project, they immediately embraced it and suggested that Penny could even be our first Global event ambassador. It was absolutely overwhelming for us back in the UK, to have such an international swimming star backing our event.
We've had so much amazing support from them both, Marcel has done a huge amount of work publicizing and producing the materials to support the event as effectively the International branch of our swimarathon committee, Penny has consistently taken time out of her amazingly busy schedule to record video messages, and brought us a huge new dimension of open water swimmers in Ireland, the US and all around the world lining up alongside us and working with local Rotary clubs. Susanne has just been unbelievable , continually championing our cause with the remarkable result of 5 District 9550 clubs signed up including her own, even though she can't be there on the day - I had the pleasure of meeting her in person during her recent London visit, just brilliant to see the friendships and fellowships formed from working on this event.
In August, during a visit to our club and District by RIBI President Ray Burman, we were delighted by his extremely positive reaction and support when we pitched our global swimarathon plans to him. Ever since he has continued to support us via his facebook page, and even highlighted our event first in his quarterly video message over the summer. He helped us secure the support of RIBI nationwide PR for Global Swimarathon and ever since we've been in touch with the fantastic head of PR Rebecca Warner it's made a huge difference with 3 nationwide press releases in December, Jan and Feb. To top it all during his District tour of District 1030 at end of February, he will be a the Rotary Club of Knaresborough event as their special guest
While writing this, it's dawned on me that I can't possibly cover all the all in one post - so as they say in all the best stories - to be continued!!
One thing is for sure , particularly for me as a novice Rotarian, in my first ever year , the family of Rotary, the worldwide fellowship, the heart and dedication of its members to service above self is almost beyond words, and beyond measurement. It will stay with me all my life - of that I am sure!
Back in April 2011, when we first set out to make contacts with the wider Rotary world, we set up a facebook presence and gradually started getting the message out there. We had some great help via Rotarian Simone Carat Collins chair of the recently founded Rotary on Social Networking Fellowship and all the members, which really helped us get established and build up some supporters.
Next big breakthrough was when Rotarian Noelene Jorgensen of Port Elizabeth Rotary in District 9320 South Africa, picked up news of her event - and wow did she run with it. As a keen swimmer herself , with lots of local contacts in the swimming community, she immediately went out and got a pool secured, and then set about spreading the word throughout her district. She even invited us to attend her District conference to speak about the event which unfortunately we were unable to attend. Her support has resulted in at least 4 South African clubs signing up to date , including 3 in her District.
Meanwhile over in Australia, Rotarian Susanne Rea, fundraising officer for The Rotary Foundation (TRF) in District 9550 Queensland , continued to spread the word about our project at every possible District opportunity, which resulted in an extraordinary breakthrough. Marcel McLeod President of Townsville Rotary, had been talking with legendary Open water marathon swimmer and distance world record holder Penny Palfrey (based in Townsville) about a swimming event for End Polio Now, and when Marcel and Penny heard about our project from Susanne, rather than seeing it as a conflicting project, they immediately embraced it and suggested that Penny could even be our first Global event ambassador. It was absolutely overwhelming for us back in the UK, to have such an international swimming star backing our event.
We've had so much amazing support from them both, Marcel has done a huge amount of work publicizing and producing the materials to support the event as effectively the International branch of our swimarathon committee, Penny has consistently taken time out of her amazingly busy schedule to record video messages, and brought us a huge new dimension of open water swimmers in Ireland, the US and all around the world lining up alongside us and working with local Rotary clubs. Susanne has just been unbelievable , continually championing our cause with the remarkable result of 5 District 9550 clubs signed up including her own, even though she can't be there on the day - I had the pleasure of meeting her in person during her recent London visit, just brilliant to see the friendships and fellowships formed from working on this event.
In August, during a visit to our club and District by RIBI President Ray Burman, we were delighted by his extremely positive reaction and support when we pitched our global swimarathon plans to him. Ever since he has continued to support us via his facebook page, and even highlighted our event first in his quarterly video message over the summer. He helped us secure the support of RIBI nationwide PR for Global Swimarathon and ever since we've been in touch with the fantastic head of PR Rebecca Warner it's made a huge difference with 3 nationwide press releases in December, Jan and Feb. To top it all during his District tour of District 1030 at end of February, he will be a the Rotary Club of Knaresborough event as their special guest
While writing this, it's dawned on me that I can't possibly cover all the all in one post - so as they say in all the best stories - to be continued!!
One thing is for sure , particularly for me as a novice Rotarian, in my first ever year , the family of Rotary, the worldwide fellowship, the heart and dedication of its members to service above self is almost beyond words, and beyond measurement. It will stay with me all my life - of that I am sure!
Friday, 6 January 2012
Sharing great event ideas around the globe!
49 days to go and counting. As of this afternoon UK time we now have our 39th entry confirmed and registered from the Rotary Club of Alnwick in Northumberland. Plenty of other exciting activity going on today. Invited to send a mail to pr@rotary.org at Rotary International HQ, so did just that and here's hoping we can take the PR to another global level!
More great news on the UK front as RIBI have confirmed that the next event nationwide press release is due to be published next Monday 9th January. Just this afternoon, team GB olympic waterpolo ladies got in touch requesting more info on how they can get involved and take part , so that's another exciting development.
On the subject of event organisation, I've really been hugely impressed by the fantastic events being prepared and built around the Swimarathon World Record attempt hour.
Take for example these two Rotary clubs in Queensland Australia - this is my kind of pool party!!
https://www.facebook.com/events/270827022981909/
Here's a few details - there's even a hush hush superstar swimmer being lined up which should be confirmed very soon
7.30pm Gold coin donation to enter pool - Proceeds to END POLIO NOW - Thanks to June who is not charging. BBQ and Bar - Proceeds from food and bar will go to the Mareeba Swimming Club to purchase a shade cloth for the pool - Rotary will run Bar and Food as a thank you to the swimming Club.
Entertainment - Waiting on confirmation from band suggested by June - No Charge -
The following swimming events will be held, prior to the record event - there is obviously fees involved with the following events!
1. Celebrity 50 meter Freestyle! - local celebrities to take part in this race
2. Corporate 50 meter Medley Relay
3. Services 50 meter Medley Relay - Ida and Jeanette to follow up on this.
> Police Service - Confirmed - Organiser SGT Geoff Stockall Fire Brigade - Army Reserve - Rotary - Confirmed - Organiser - President Kevin Davies Ambulance - Lions - at 945PM sharp we will need to get all record swimmers ready so we can start at 10PM AEST sharp - The record will end at 11PM.
> We will close bar at midnight - Evening ends!
There are so many more great additional fundraising ideas out there including street collections, tshirts, wristbands, corporate games, cupcakes, balloons, auctions, pre swim dinners - the list is endless - so one things for sure it's going to be a day to remember!!
More great news on the UK front as RIBI have confirmed that the next event nationwide press release is due to be published next Monday 9th January. Just this afternoon, team GB olympic waterpolo ladies got in touch requesting more info on how they can get involved and take part , so that's another exciting development.
On the subject of event organisation, I've really been hugely impressed by the fantastic events being prepared and built around the Swimarathon World Record attempt hour.
Take for example these two Rotary clubs in Queensland Australia - this is my kind of pool party!!
https://www.facebook.com/events/270827022981909/
Here's a few details - there's even a hush hush superstar swimmer being lined up which should be confirmed very soon
7.30pm Gold coin donation to enter pool - Proceeds to END POLIO NOW - Thanks to June who is not charging. BBQ and Bar - Proceeds from food and bar will go to the Mareeba Swimming Club to purchase a shade cloth for the pool - Rotary will run Bar and Food as a thank you to the swimming Club.
Entertainment - Waiting on confirmation from band suggested by June - No Charge -
The following swimming events will be held, prior to the record event - there is obviously fees involved with the following events!
1. Celebrity 50 meter Freestyle! - local celebrities to take part in this race
2. Corporate 50 meter Medley Relay
3. Services 50 meter Medley Relay - Ida and Jeanette to follow up on this.
> Police Service - Confirmed - Organiser SGT Geoff Stockall Fire Brigade - Army Reserve - Rotary - Confirmed - Organiser - President Kevin Davies Ambulance - Lions - at 945PM sharp we will need to get all record swimmers ready so we can start at 10PM AEST sharp - The record will end at 11PM.
> We will close bar at midnight - Evening ends!
There are so many more great additional fundraising ideas out there including street collections, tshirts, wristbands, corporate games, cupcakes, balloons, auctions, pre swim dinners - the list is endless - so one things for sure it's going to be a day to remember!!
Thursday, 5 January 2012
Start Spreading the news - 50 days to go!
Into the final 50 days of the countdown - pinch me I still must be dreaming!!
Just to underline the truly global nature of this event, I've just spent some time responding to questions from a journalist at the Mareeba Express newspaper in Queensland Australia! We have had a phenomenal take up down-under (especially considering the time differences involved) with now 6 Australian and 3 New Zealand clubs confirmed as taking part.
What I really love doing at the moment is "googling" for Rotary Global Swimarathon and looking for new articles about the event- Try it yourself!!
Here's a selection of press and blog coverage - please take a look!!
http://www.ribi.org/news/articles/rotary-global-swimarathon-makes-a-splash-worldwide
http://www.rotaract.org.uk/index.php?cat=content&page=news_sheet&NewsID=111
http://cumbria24.com/news/2011/12/28/rotary-global-swimarathon-end-polio
http://openwaterpedia.com/index.php?title=Global_Swimarathon
http://harrogate-news.co.uk/2011/12/31/swimarathon-benefit-rotarys-polio-eradication-campaign/
http://loneswimmer.com/tag/swimarathon/
http://public-image-action.blogspot.com/2011/12/i-received-tweet-this-week.html
http://www.granthamjournal.co.uk/news/local/swimarathon_chairman_receives_an_award_created_in_his_honour_1_3253229
Of course, we want to keep all the communication lines flowing around the world. If you are a twitterer, please use #rotaryglobalswim at every opportunity to talk about the event and please follow us and encourage others to do so at http://www.twitter.com/rotaryglobeswim
Get in touch any time on our facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/rotaryglobalswimarathon
And send us an email at rotaryglobalswimarathon@gmail.com
Let's make this the biggest and best Rotary World Wide event ever!!
Just to underline the truly global nature of this event, I've just spent some time responding to questions from a journalist at the Mareeba Express newspaper in Queensland Australia! We have had a phenomenal take up down-under (especially considering the time differences involved) with now 6 Australian and 3 New Zealand clubs confirmed as taking part.
What I really love doing at the moment is "googling" for Rotary Global Swimarathon and looking for new articles about the event- Try it yourself!!
Here's a selection of press and blog coverage - please take a look!!
http://www.ribi.org/news/articles/rotary-global-swimarathon-makes-a-splash-worldwide
http://www.rotaract.org.uk/index.php?cat=content&page=news_sheet&NewsID=111
http://cumbria24.com/news/2011/12/28/rotary-global-swimarathon-end-polio
http://openwaterpedia.com/index.php?title=Global_Swimarathon
http://harrogate-news.co.uk/2011/12/31/swimarathon-benefit-rotarys-polio-eradication-campaign/
http://loneswimmer.com/tag/swimarathon/
http://public-image-action.blogspot.com/2011/12/i-received-tweet-this-week.html
http://www.granthamjournal.co.uk/news/local/swimarathon_chairman_receives_an_award_created_in_his_honour_1_3253229
Of course, we want to keep all the communication lines flowing around the world. If you are a twitterer, please use #rotaryglobalswim at every opportunity to talk about the event and please follow us and encourage others to do so at http://www.twitter.com/rotaryglobeswim
Get in touch any time on our facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/rotaryglobalswimarathon
And send us an email at rotaryglobalswimarathon@gmail.com
Let's make this the biggest and best Rotary World Wide event ever!!
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