Press Release from RIBI

May 2003

Rotary KidsOut Day 2003 - Wednesday 11th June
Over 20,000 disadvantaged children to be taken on a day out to remember

More than 20,000 children with special needs from all over Great Britain and Ireland will join the 14th annual Rotary KidsOut Day on Wednesday 11th June 2003. Rotary KidsOut Day is a day out promoted by KidsOut, the national charity for children with special needs and supported by Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland.

The Rotary KidsOut Day will take place at 100 different locations throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Over 20,000 children will be taken by Rotarians from 780 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. They will be travelling by land, sea, air and train for a remarkable day out. There is also a gliding day at Dunstable Gliding Club.

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 3 Rotary clubs were involved. Since then, the number of children helped by KidsOut has grown to over 20,000. Organised by Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland for 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 is a highlight in the Rotary calendar and it gets bigger and more fun-packed each year. It is so rewarding for all involved to see these children taking part in the activities and enjoying themselves.” said Tony de St Dalmas, 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 fun and happiness! I hope Rotary KidsOut Day Out will go from strength to strength.”

Leisure and theme park venues featuring in KidsOut Day Out in 2003 are:

ENGLAND
Wet ‘n’ Wild – Middlesborough
Flamingoland – North Yorkshire
Manchester Science Museum - Manchester
Chester Zoo – Cheshire
Metroland - Gateshead
Falconry Centre Sheffield
Pleasure Island Cleethorpes
Bridlington Swimming Pool
Drayton Manor Park – Staffordshire
Sundown Kiddies Adventure Rampton – Lincoln
Camelot – Lancashire
Windemere Lakes Cruise – Kendal
South Lakes Wild Animal Park Dalton in Furness
Whipsnade Wild Animal Park - Dunstable
American Adventure World and Whitepost – Nottingham
Conkers Ashby de La Zouch
West Midlands Safari Park
Wickstead Park – Northamptonshire
Pleasurewood Hills - Lowestoft
Colchester Zoo – Colchester
Cotswold Wildlife Park – Oxfordshire
Chessington World of Adventures – Surrey
Thorpe Park – Surrey
Legoland – Berkshire
Drusillas Alfriston – Kent
Barking Park – Barkingside
Paradise Park – Broxbourne
Horton Park Epsom
Godstone Farm – Surrey
Anne’s Sensory Gardens Morden
Narrow Boat – Ellesmere
Chester Zoo
Crealy Park – Exeter
Army Rugby Football Stadium Andover
Cattle Country Berkeley Glos
Shortwood Farm - Leominster
Longleat Safari Park – Longleat
Adventure Playground - Southend
Hayling Island Chichester Harbour
Pleasure Island – Cleethorpes
Samare Manor - Jersey
Flambards Helston - Cornwall
Dobwalls Adventure Park – Liskard, Cornwall
Princess Pavilion Falmouth
Pennywell Farm & Plymouth Aquarium
The Grand Pier Teignmouth
World of Country Life Exmouth
Arethusa Venture Centre Upnor Rochester
Bockets Farm – Leatherhead
Steam Train Ride and Boat Trip – River Dart
The Deep Hull
International Centre for Life Newcastle upon Tyne
Gullivers World Matlock

SCOTLAND
Aviemore
Barony Agricultural College – Dumfries
Blair Drummond Safari Park
Haggersrston Castle Holiday Park
Mid Scotland Theme Park
Strathclyde Park
Lowden Castle Theme Park - Galston
Craibstone College – Bucksburn, Aberdeen
Barony Agricultural College - Dumfries
Pitencrieff Park – Dunfermline
Craigton Park St. Andrews – Kirkaldy
Jack Kane Centre – Edinburgh
Kelburn Centre
Calderglen Country Club Kilbride
MID Theme Park Motherwell

WALES
Golden Castle Riding School – Brynmawr
Bewdley Safari Park
Chester Zoo
Drayton Manor Family Theme Park
Oakwood Leisure Park – Carmarthen
Barry Island Leisure Park – South Wales
Barry Island Beach Party – South Wales
Heath Park Mini Rail and Tramway – South Wales
Pili Palas Anglesey
Bristol Zoo
Dan yr Ogof Caves Ebbw Vale
Amelia Trust Farm Bridgend

IRELAND
Sports Bowl & IMX Complex – Ballymena
Water World Portrush
Brunswick Bowls & Adventure Playground – Limavady
Exploris Aquarium
Ends

For more information please contact: Judith Diment Tel: 01628 672965 or 07860 162 313
Email: judithdiment@aol.com

or

Don Carsley, Rotary Co-ordinator KidsOut Tel: 01446 730669 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 is the national charity providing fun and happiness for disadvantaged children. More information from John Garner, Chief Executive, KidsOut Tel: 01525 385252, Fax 01525 385532 email john.garner@kidsout.freeserve.co.uk