Clubs working together to help those in need
At their first meeting in 2026 the Rotary Club of Cannock welcomed two guests who do exceptional work in supporting people in need across the world. Also at the meeting were members from SI Cannock & District.
The first guest was Gill Worrell-Arnold who gave a very interesting talk about her work with the charity Opportunities of Development thru Art (ODA) which is based in Cambodia comprising a residential home and school in the outlying villages of Siem Reap
ODA helps create opportunities for children by providing free English language lessons as fluent English is the key to improving employment options in the local tourism and government sector. Gill outlined that subsistence farming is still the way of life for many families in Cambodia. A large number of children work on farms rather than attend government school.
The charity was Founded by Leng Touch who himself experienced the terror reign of the Khmer Rouge which influenced him to set up the charity for homeless children
Gill first started working with the charity during Covid giving English lessons via Zoom, Gill and her husband have subsequently visited the school in Cambodia and have developed strong bonds of friendship with the children and staff while continuing to provide regular online English lessons.
The second guest was Gary Fear who first visited the Cannock club in June 2024. Gary does some exceptional work supporting the people of war-torn Ukraine. Gary made his first self-funded trip to the Ukraine in 2022 delivering much needed provisions to those families effected by the devastation caused by a senseless war, Gary has subsequently raised over £100k and has returned to the Ukraine many times to continue his fantastic work helping those families who have seen their homes destroyed by the war.
Gary outlined that one of the major problems in Ukraine currently is loss of essential electricity supply to homes therefore the Rotary Club of Cannock have joined with SI Cannock & district to provide funds to purchase 4 small generators which Gary will deliver in the next few weeks to families in Ukraine.
SI Cannock & District have assisted the Rotary club with their Christmas collections for the past two years which in turn has enabled funds to be donated to local charities and good causes, they are also part of Sleepout to Kit out event in April alongside Rotary club of Cannock, RC Stafford and Stafford & Cannock League of Hospital Friends charity. The event is raising funds to help people currently living in hostel style accommodation move into homes of their own.
Community focused Clubs working together is clearly a benefit to our local area.
