Rotary International president praises Conwy Valley Aquabox scheme

Jul 14 2011 by Samantha Castle, North Wales Weekly News

THE new national president of Rotary International has praised the work of the Conwy Valley Rotary’s Aquabox scheme.

New president of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland Ray Burman has been seeing first-hand the wealth of volunteering and fundraising being carried out by Rotary members in the local community and celebrating their commitment as part of his national tour.

Ray said: “I am looking forward to visiting this stunning part of the country. This is an incredible setting for my journey around the districts and I am especially looking forward to hearing about the many projects underway by local Rotary Clubs.”

He is meeting with the Rotary Club of Conwy Valley which has succeeded in funding and filling over 1,000 life-saving Aquaboxes.

These boxes are a Rotary initiated project which purifies contaminated water and has been particularly active during the recent disasters across the world.

Dennis Reeve, of the Rotary Club of the Conwy Valley, has been demonstrating Aquaboxes at the Eisteddfod.

He said: “The amount of interest in the Aquaboxes and the work of Rotary is just amazing.

“Schools enjoy helping this project as pupils can track their box as it makes its way to where it is needed most.

“Aquaboxes don’t just bring clean water to disaster victims, they bring hope. We have donated 1,075 boxes in ten years and there are 40 more being prepared. That’s over a million litres of water to those who need it most.

“Rotary clubs everywhere work incredibly hard to make a positive difference in their communities and those overseas.”