President of Rotary International visits Scaling Dam Sailing Club

By John Tate on 9 Feb1 February 2012Ray Burman RIBI President, Malcolm Douglas of Saltburn Rotary and Norman Baker of Stokesley Rotary © Norman Baker

In 2011 Rotary Clubs from around our region raised funds to purchase a specialised Access dinghy for Sailability at Scaling Dam Sailing Club (a Northumbria Water Ltd reservoir).

Celebrating this achievement, Ray Burman, the President of Rotary International for all of Britain and Ireland, visited Scaling Dam SC on 1st February to meet with some of the many volunteers from both the Sailing Club and the local Rotary groups that support this sailing opportunity for those with disabilities.

Ray was able to share his personal experience of the successful partnership of Rotary and Sailability activities across the globe and wished Scaling Dam Sailing Club continuing success.

John Tate and Simon Jackson from Scaling Dam Sailability were invited to speak at a formal reception for the President that evening. Their message of thanks, success and ambition were reinforced by those of Malcolm Douglas, a Saltburn Rotarian and regular Sailability volunteer, expressing his personal rewards from hands on support.

Four local Rotary Clubs, represented by David Sadler, were jointly recognised with an award for their success in working in partnership to make this gift possible.