Press Release from RIBI

July 2003

65,000 JARS OF MARMALADE TO HELP ROTARY RAISE $1 MILLION

REF: 03-58

65,000 jars of marmalade donated by Wilkin & Sons in Tiptree, have been distributed to Rotarians in Great Britain & Ireland to help them raise $1 million for the Rotary Foundation. Wilkin & Sons, the world famous manufacturers of preserves has given Rotary the specially commissioned Spread and Save marmalade with a sponsorship retail value in the region of £100,000. Rotary members will donate £1 for each jar and when the jar is empty they will fill it with small change ( 20p coins are suggested) during the next 12 months.

The idea is the brainchild of Ray Burman, incoming Rotary District Governor for the Essex region. He said ‘I went to see Ian Thurogood, the marketing and sales director of Wilkin & Sons and put to him that I could guarantee that his product would be tasted by over a quarter of a million people – 60,000 Rotarians and their families and partners.I am delighted as this initiative should raise a huge amount of money which will go towards funding many humanitarian and educational projects throughout the world.’

The Rotary Foundation, Rotary's corporate charity, is dedicated to furthering international understanding, goodwill, and peace and gives £40 million every year to educational and humanitarian programmes. Rotary runs the biggest non-government scholarship scheme in the world. The Ambassadorial Scholarships Programme is the world’s largest privately-funded international scholarships programme. Currently in Great Britain and Ireland there are 165 scholars at Universities, on scholarships totalling $3.6 million.

In addition, it supports international exchanges of students and teachers as well as business and professional people to further international understanding and friendly relations.

One of the most successful projects supported by the Rotary Foundation, working with Unicef and World Health Organisation, is the international Polio Eradication programme. Rotarians in Great Britain and Ireland have raised more than £9 million for this project. Worldwide by the year 2005 Rotarians will have contributed $500 million.

Press enquiries to Judith Diment 01628 418133 or 07860 162313

Notes for Editors

1. Rotary is an organisation of business and professional persons united world-wide, who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. Their motto is: Service above Self.

2. For general information on Rotary in your area, contact the local Rotary Club President. Details from Robin Freeman: 01789?765411