Rotary support helps Harold keep Illawarra kids healthy

Rotary support helps Harold keep Illawarra kids healthy

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Local school children will reap the rewards of more than $3 000 in funding pledged for Life Education Illawarra from Rotary Clubs of the Illawarra.

2014 was the 4th Emergency Services Awards which has been established to publicly recognise officers – both full-time/paid and volunteers – who serve in the three (3) Local Government Areas of Kiama, Shellharbour and Wollongong. The project recognises the NSW Government seven (7) Emergency Service Organisations (ESO’s)

The Rotary Clubs in the Illawarra, stretching from Bulli in the north to Kiama in the South, with over 300 active members are successfully steering the Illawarra Pilot Project, now known as The Pride of the Illawarra. As a result of their endeavours, supported by local business such as Remondis and local Councils, Rotary has pledged financial support to Life Education Illawarra of $3 825.

Dorothy (Dot) Hennessy, Rotary Club of Wollongong, District Chair for Vocational Service said that “the awards night in August was an opportunity to generate funds to support a local charity”. Grant McClory, from the SES and the recipient of the paid officer award, along with Dot Hennessy, will be presenting a cheque to Michael Aubin, Chairman of the Life Education Illawarra Board at SCE Group today.

Life Education Illawarra Acting Chairman Michael Aubin said that the funding would allow the Life Education Illawarra Board to deliver the program to primary school children at half price or, in some instances, at no cost to parents or the school, especially in targeted low-socio economic area.

“Life Education has endured for more than 25 years because of its relevance, its value and the critical role it plays in educating young children about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle,” Mr Aubin said.

“Through the generosity of the Rotary Clubs of the Illawarra, we will be able to continue to subsidise the cost of delivering the program in the Illawarra to ensure as many children as possible can benefit. “This additional funding from Rotary takes this one step further, allowing us to increase the subsidy and broaden our reach.”

“We are looking to increase our partnerships with major employers and business – to match our subsidy dollar-for-dollar to allow children to experience the Happy Harold message for free,” Mr Aubin said. “This additional donations gets us closer to achieving this important goal.”

The Life Education program was created by the late Rev Ted Noffs from Sydney’s Wayside Chapel. The program delivers age-specific modules led by trained educators who travel to schools to engage children in learning the benefits of staying healthy and the harm caused to their bodies through illicit drugs, alcohol and an unhealthy lifestyle.

Life Education was established in the Illawarra in the 1980s after a concerted fundraising effort by local businesses and community organisations. “Since we began, almost 200,000 Illawarra children have experienced the Life Education program at their primary school or pre-school,” Mr Aubin said.

Rotarians are ordinary people doing extraordinary work and through their support of Life Education Illawarra, they are able to help Harold reinforce the Life Education message that every child is unique.

Happy Harold will be at SCE Group, Masters Rd this afternoon to personally acknowledge Rotary’ support. All media are invited to attend:

South Coast Equipment:  Monday 1st December 2014 at 3pm