Since it began in 1985, the Rotary Club of Woodstock has raised nearly £200,000 and has helped over 100 local causes. The club recently made the move to widen its catchment area and attract new members, renaming itself as the Rotary Club of Woodstock & Kidlington.

The Rotary Club marked this landmark relaunch by making a presentation of a cheque for £1,000 to Girlguiding Kidlington towards their Guide Centre Rebuilding Project.

President Mike explained that Rotary raises most of its money for charity through its annual Rotary Blenheim 10k run each October; a summer duck race on the River Glyme; and through its local Santa Claus Sleigh appearances.

Recent beneficiaries of Rotary’s fundraising were Polio Eradication, with £5,500 donated to this worldwide programme begun by Rotary International 27 years ago, and helped by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and £850 given to the Oxford Food Bank.

Every year it joins forces with other Rotary Clubs in Oxford to organise Youth Speaks (a debating competition for schools) and Kids Out.

In June most years the club lets its hair down by taking part in the Woodstock Carnival.

The club meets at the King’s Head, Park Lane, Woodstock, on certain Monday evenings (this is under review to find the most attractive arrangement for new members) for a varied programme of speakers (mostly entertaining), fun and fellowship.

Men and women members from all sorts of backgrounds are members from many of the villages around Kidlington and Woodstock.

You can also enter the fundraising run in Blenheim Park via the website.

This year it is Sunday, October 14, and is in aid of SpecialEffect, a local charity dedicated to helping all young people with disabilities to enjoy computers. If you want to volunteer to help on the day please get in touch.

Want to know more? Visit woodstockandkidlingtonrotary.org.uk and go along to give it a try. Rotary is nowhere near as stuffy as you may think.