Bring it On! The North East Exhibition for Future Engineers
The four founders, Thomas Chacko (Rotary Club of Sunderland), Bowman Bradley (The Institution of Mechanical Engineers), Moira Shaftoe (Engineering UK) and Carol Harrison (RTC North) are working together to hold an Exhibition to showcase North East Engineering to local young people throughout the region, with the objective of: Educating them about the engineering activities taking place in the North East; Inspiring them to want to be a part of it; Informing them about what they need to do to become so. Now in its third year, this free to attend and non-profit making exhibition will contribute to raising aspirations, improving employment prospects and closing the skills gap. The exhibition is again being held at The Beacon of Light, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear on October 9th and 10th 2019. One of the days will be devoted to primary schools and the other secondary schools. The audience will be young people from 9-14 years with the objective of influencing them before they commit to their GCSE options. We expect at least 2,500 young people (about 165 schools) and over 65 engineering companies to attend. The N.E region has always had a rich heritage in engineering and manufacturing but the perception of Engineering is possibly that, it is physical, male oriented and dirty. This is incorrect and the opportunities for skilled and a well-paid career exists, regionally, nationally and globally. Childhood perceptions influence thinking and if a child has no clue on what an engineer does or what the scope of engineering is, then it is highly unlikely that he or she would choose it as a career. The Engineering UK report for 2018 estimates that Engineering contributes £1.23 trillion to the UK total turnover and that 203,000 people with level 3+ engineering skills will be needed every year to meet demand through to year 2024. There is expected to be an annual shortfall of 59,000 engineering graduates and technicians to fill core engineering roles. Women only make up 12% of the engineering workforce. The event will be a celebration and exhibition of engineering prowess in the North East of England and not a “career fair”. Engineering companies will be invited to showcase their local activities and products, provide young apprentices/engineers to talk about what they do and provide information about their activities to take away. Being supported by RTC North, we are able to integrate all elements of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and integrate the Regional Big Bang Near Me initiative. For further information please visit www.bringitonne.co.uk
Helping families in need around the world
Over the years, Rotary Sunderland has been responding to disasters around the world through ShelterBox. The support through donations has been helping families in need all around the world. Each disaster is different, and so is every community. ShelterBox teams work with disaster-hit families around the world, offering emergency shelter and other essential items to support them in rebuilding their lives. The support ShelterBox provides, whatever shape it takes, gives people the hope and power to transform their own lives. It’s all about providing the right tools for the situation and to to reach more vulnerable families in need of shelter. Donations made by the Rotary Club of Sunderland are equivalent to 27 ShelterBoxes contributing to make a significant difference to the lives of that many families.
Parking is rewarding
Our members, along with members of our Satellite clubs, operate the car parks on match days at the University of Sunderland's City Campus. For £3.00 All-Day-Parking, fans can park their cars at leisure and enjoy the day. Monies raised are donated to local charities and community organisations Recent beneficiaries include 50th St Bede's Brownie Pack, Sunderland and County Durham Royal Society for the Blind, Pemberton Bowling Club. Barnes Park, Citizens Advice Centre, Sunderland, The Sunderland Branch of the British Legion, Sunderland Stroke Group and the Diwali Festival Group.
Supporting Roker Pier & Lighthouse
Rotary Club of Sunderland initially provided funds enabling the Roker Heritage Group (RHG) volunteers to undertake first aid training courses and purchase first aid kits and also essential safety equipment required for their guided tours of Roker Pier and Lighthouse. Their first aid training and safety equipment has now been put to good use during this first years open summer season for guided tours. Sunderland Rotary were again able to assist the RHG when a set of original architectural plans and working drawings, dated around the early 1800, of the old North and South Piers came up for auction. The plans were purchased at the auction on behalf of the Rotary Club of Sunderland and were then presented to the Roker Heritage Group, who now hold these along with other artefacts which will eventually go on public display. Pier and Lighthouse tours can be booked online at www.rokerpier.co.uk
Helping them see the world
Vision Aid Overseas is a registered charity which the Sunderland Rotary Club has supported for many years both financially and in collecting spectacles. Old spectacles are collected, boxed and handed in to a local opticians for onward transmission to Vision Aid base in Sussex. Rotarian Ted Holder overseas this project and to date, over 2500 pairs of spectacles have been collected. Over the years, the Club has sent in hundreds of pounds on many occasions as well. The charity offers support to Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Zambia and Ghana.