Press Release from RIBI

May 2002

Rotary KidsOut Day 2002

OVER 25,000 KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS TO BE TAKEN ON A DAY OUT TO REMEMBER

A record number of children with special needs from all over Great Britain and Ireland will join the 13th annual Rotary KidsOut Day on Wednesday 12th June 2002. Rotary KidsOut Day is a day out promoted by Rotary and supported by KidsOut, the national charity for children with special needs.

The Rotary KidsOut day will take place at 104 different locations throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Over 25,000 children will be taken by Rotarians from 749 clubs for fun-packed days at theme parks, zoos, safari parks, museums, farms etc. During the day children will be accompanied by teachers, carers and volunteers - the safety and security of the children is paramount.

Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland together with the Littlewoods Organisation, has been providing days out for children with special needs since 1990 when just 225 children and three Rotary clubs were involved. Since then, the number of children helped by KidsOut has grown to over 25,000. Promoted by Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland and supported by KidsOut, the day is also made possible with help from staff of other national and local companies, including the police, fire brigade and local authorities.

"The Rotary KidsOut day gets bigger and more fun-packed each year. It is truly heart-warming to see these children taking part in the activities and enjoying themselves, for all involved," said David Liddiatt, President of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland. "We hope that the children will take home with them lasting memories of a fantastic day out".

Sir Steven Redgrave OBE, a patron of KidsOut, commented: "I am honoured to be a patron of KidsOut. The work it does with organisations such as Rotary International to encourage children who have special needs to lead more active lives, is something I admire. Taking children to theme parks and other places of interest stimulates childrens' minds and bodies and gives them experiences they will talk about. I hope Rotary KidsOut Day will go from strength to strength."

Leisure and theme park venues featuring in Rotary KidsOut Day in 2002 are:

England
Wet 'n' Wild - Middlesborough
Flamingoland - North Yorkshire
Dynamic Earth - Edinburgh
Manchester Science Museum - Manchester
Chester Zoo - Cheshire
Metroland - Gateshead
Drayton Manor Park - Staffordshire
Sundown Kiddies Adventure Rampton - Lincoln
Camelot - Lancashire
Aquarium of Lakes and Superbowl - S. Cumbria
Windemere Lakes Cruise - Kendal
Lithe Railway / Florence Mines - Whitehaven
National Railway Museum - York
Teignmouth Pier - Teignmouth
Gullivers World - Warrington
Whipsnade Wild Animal Park - Dunstable
Butlins - Skegness
American Adventure World and Whitepost - Nottingham
Wickstead Park - Northamptonshire
Pleasurewood Hills - Lowestoft
Dinosaur Park - Lenwade
Colchester Zoo - Colchester
Bridlington
Cotswold Wildlife Park - Oxfordshire
Chessington World of Adventures - Surrey
Thorpe Park - Surrey
Paultons Country Park - Hampshire
West Midlands Wildlife & Leisure Park - Bewdley
Legoland - Berkshire
Herm Island - Guernsey
Twycross Zoo
Drusillas Alfriston - Kent
Barking Park - Barkingside
Paradise Park - Broxbourne
Butterfly and Wildlife Park - Long Sutton
Godstone Farm - Surrey
Blue Planet Aquarium - Ellesmere Port
Narrow Boat - Ellesmere
Butlins- Somerwest Minehead
Crealy Park - Exeter
Wimpole Hall
Longleat Safari Park - Longleat
Addington School - Berkshire
Shortwood Working Farm
Adventure Playground - Southend
Chichester Harbour
Pleasure Island - Cleethorpes
Samare Manor - Jersey
Flambards Helston - Cornwall
Dobwalls Adventure Park - Liskard, Cornwall
Eden Project - Cornwall
Howletts Zoo - Canterbury
Tenterden Rare Breeds Farm
Dickens Museum - Broadstairs
Aldershot Traco Sports Ground
Brockets Farm - Leatherhead
Steam Train Ride and Boat Trip - River Dart
Pennyhill Working Farm - Nr Ashburton
Blackpool Zoo
Ravenglass Railway and Muncaster Castle
Red Road Farm Berrow
River Trent Boat Trip
The Deep - Hull
Museum of Science and Discovery - Birmingham
Marsh Farm - Newton Ferrers

Scotland
Barony Agricultural College - Dumfries
Blair Drummond Safari Park
Mid Scotland Theme Park
Strathclyde Park
Lowden Castle Theme Park - Galston
Craibstone College - Bucksburn
Barony Agricultural College - Dumfries
Stirling County Rugby Club - Stirling
Kings Park - Dundee
Pitencrieff Park - Dunfermline
Craigton Park St. Andrews - Kirkaldy
Jack Kane Centre - Edinburgh
Kelburn Centre
Calderglen Country Club
Strathspey Railway - Lanark

Wales
Golden Castle Riding School - Brynmawr
St Fagans - Cardiff
Green Meadow Farm - Cwmbran
Oakwood Leisure Park - Carmarthen
Barry Island Leisure Park - South Wales
Barry Island Beach Party - South Wales
Bowling and Cinema - Caerphilly
Heath Park Mini Rail and Tramway - South Wales
Porthmadog/Fesstiniog Railway
Gullivers World - Warrington
Houses of Parliament
Hafod Lon Fete - Pwllheli
Chester Zoo
Caernarfon Welsh Highland light Railway
Cwlyd Riding School for the Disabled

Ireland
Dublin Zoo - Dublin
Sports Bowl & IMX Complex - Ballymena
Boys Camp Glebe House - Strangford
Steamvale Farm - Dundonald
Ten pin bowling - Dundonald
Odysey Centre - Belfast
Clonmea Beach Complex - Clonmea
Brunswick Bowls & Adventure Playground - Limavady
Portrush and Londonderry
Taine Centre - Omeath Co Louth
The Dome - Tralee

ends

For more information please contact:

Judith Diment / Gemma Shewring, HBL Media Ltd
Tel: 01628 418133 or 07860 162 313
Email: gemma@hblmedia.com

Or John Saxton, Rotary Co-ordinator KidsOut
Tel: 01483 560276

Or John Garner, KidsOut
Tel: 01525 385252

Or Robin Freeman, Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland
Tel: 01789 765411

Notes to Editors:

1 Rotary is an organisation of business and professional persons united worldwide, who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help to build goodwill and peace in the world.For general information on Rotary in your area, contact the local Rotary Club President. Details from Robin Freeman (Tel: 01789 765411)

2 Issued on behalf of Robin Freeman, Secretary Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland: (Tel: 01789 765411)

3 KidsOut, the national charity provides children, special schools, teachers, and parents with opportunities for children with special needs to gain self-esteem, self confidence and have an enjoyable fun day out. More information from John Garner (Tel: 01525 385252.)