Press Information from RIBI

June 2005 REF: 05-188

16th Rotary KidsOut Day - Wednesday 8th June 2005

Over 20,000 Disadvantaged Children to be taken on a day out to remember

More than 20,000 disadvantaged and special needs children will once again take to land, water, air and rail for a fantastic day out as they join in the fun of the 16th annual Rotary KidsOut Day on Wednesday 8th June 2005.

Over 20,000 children will be taken by Rotarians from more than 750 clubs for a fun-packed day that will take place at around 100 different locations throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Venues include theme parks, zoos, safari parks, museums, and farms.

Says Gordon McInally, President of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland: “Our day aims to bring fun and laughter into the lives of special needs children, not just locally but all over the country. It is the biggest single day out for disadvantaged children and last year over 23,000 children took part at over 100 venues throughout the UK. This year is our 16th KidsOut Day, and we hope that it will once again provide lasting memories for these children and their families.”

The Rotary KidsOut Day is organised by Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland and is supported by KidsOut, the national charity which provides fun and happiness for disadvantaged and special needs children. The day is helped with staff from other national and local companies, including the police, fire brigade and local authorities. During the day children are accompanied by teachers and carers – who help to make up the remarkable figure of 1,700 volunteers who make sure that the Rotary KidsOut day is both safe and one to remember.

Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland 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 who take part in this unique KidsOut day has grown to over 23,000.

For more information, to arrange interviews or photos please contact:

Judith Diment
Tel: 01628 672965 or 07860 162 313
Email: judithdiment@aol.com

Anna Broughton
KidsOut Charity
Tel: 01525 385252
Email: anna@kidsout.org.uk

or Don Carsley, Rotary Co-ordinator KidsOut Tel: 01446 730669 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. Rotary International celebrated its centenary in February 2005.
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 a registered national charity providing fun and happiness for disadvantaged and special needs children. The charity was officially established in 1999 following the huge success of the Rotary KidsOut Day. The charity now operates independently from Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland and offers a range of services and support for children. For full details visit www.kidsout.org.uk or telephone 01525 385252. Reg no. 1075789

Leisure and theme park venues featuring in KidsOut Day Out in 2005 are:

England
Wet ‘n’ Wild – Middlesborough
Flamingoland – North Yorkshire
Manchester Science Museum - Manchester
Chester Zoo – Cheshire
Blue Planet Aquarium, Ellesmere Port
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 – East Sussex
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
Paulton Park,Hampshire
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
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