Two years ago during then District 9980 Governor Trish Boyle’s conference in Invercargill, NZ a surprise was given to 100 unsuspecting 8-9 year olds at the culmination of a special project by the combined Rotary clubs of Invercargill.
The five clubs’ conference project was to fund and provide the manpower for a three-phase project in Invercargill. It is a city made for cycling with its wide roads and flat terrain.
Apart from safely riding bikes, the project focused on encouraging children to get onto bikes as a healthy alternative to relying on their parents taking them places in cars.
Working with the local schools and through their health and physical education curriculums, the importance of safety and exercise were promoted.
With $2000 funding from each club, a District Simplified Grant and access to some conference funds plus corporate sponsorship, the work on the park was completed, and 100 kitset bikes were purchased.
Rotarians put the bikes together, and a special event was arranged at the cycle velodrome where conference attendees we were joined by 100 unsuspecting children and their families.
The children were nominated by their schools because they didn’t have a bike and their families were unlikely to be able to supply a new bike to all of their children. They were average students with a caring attitude.
For unsuspecting visiting Rotarians, it was a very special moment to see the surprise on the young children’s faces as they were presented with their own bike, backpack and safety gear.
The reaction from the children was priceless, almost matched by their parents who were astonished that a group of strangers could care for so many children in such a practical way.
From the outside, it was easy to see the impact that Rotary clubs working together can have close to home.
After the event, in the general confusion of parents, children, bikes and Rotarians, we were proud to be thanked for what local Rotarians achieved that day.
