2008-04-25 15:05:42 - Rotaract is celebrating its 40th anniversary right here in London during their European Conference.
Taking place 30th April - 4th May in Hammersmith, it will officially be the largest gathering of international Rotaractors ever. Seeing over 490 young adults from 40 different countries descend on our capital city to celebrate 40 years of their organisation.The conference will also be raising money for the ShelterBox Charity, an international project run by the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard in District 1290. A ShelterBox is a tough, green plastic box containing a 10-person tent and ancillary equipment designed to enable a family of up to 10 people survive for at least 6 months

Rotaract is celebrating its 40th anniversary right here in London during their European Conference.
Taking place 30th April - 4th May in Hammersmith, it will officially be the largest gathering of international Rotaractors ever. Seeing over 490 young adults from 40 different countries descend on our capital city to celebrate 40 years of their organisation at the same time as share

ideas and recognise outstanding contributions to local communities made by individuals and clubs. The Rotaract European Conference, EUCO, will unite many different cultures and traditions.
Since its launch in 1968 by Rotary International, the organisation for young adults has been serving thousands of communities and helped to develop many peoples' skills and abilities. On the 13th March, 1968, the Rotaract Club of the University of North Carolina was the first Rotaract Club to receive its official charter. Four decades later, there are now more than 8,000 clubs worldwide, and Rotaract continues to go from strength to strength. To mark this achievement, many events are taking place across Great Britain & Ireland.
Among the celebrations will be a special gala dinner, taking place at the Novotel London West Hotel in Hammersmith on Saturday 3rd May, it will be attended by 945 Rotaractors and Rotarians.
The conference will also be raising money for the ShelterBox Charity, an international project run by the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard in District 1290. A ShelterBox is a tough, green plastic box containing a 10-person tent and ancillary equipment designed to enable a family of up to 10 people survive for at least 6 months.
Since operations began in January 2001, ShelterBox has helped an estimated 500,000 people and worked in more than 40 countries - responding to earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, wars, volcanoes etc. After the Boxing Day 2004 tsunami, more than 13,000 boxes were sent to affected areas - providing aid for approaching an estimated 230,000 people.
Even though so many European Rotaractors will be visiting London, the organising committee still have the environment in mind, by giving all delegates the chance to off-set their carbon emissions by donating to an environmental charity that will plant a tree to counter-act the emissions for short-haul flights.
Lisa Burnett, organiser of the EUCO 2008 Conference, said: 'Rotaract is a truly magnificent organisation with its members helping thousands of people around the world. We are so proud that we are the hosts for the 10th Annual European Rotaract Conference in what is an extra special celebratory year marking the 40th anniversary of our great organisation.'
ENDS

For more information please contact:

Lisa Burnett
Tel: 07876 341334
Email: lisa.burnett@euco2008.com

Rotaract In London

There are 4 active Rotaract clubs in London in:
• Canary Wharf (www.rotaract.org.uk/canarywharf)
• Ealing (www.rotaract.org.uk/ealing)
• Putney (www.rotaract.org.uk/putney), and,
• Westminster (www.rotaract.org.uk/westminster)
In addition there are an increasing number of interest groups across London, which will hopefully soon become active clubs.
Each club, made of up young men and women between 18 and 30 years old, organises its own activities supporting the local community as well as social, international and vocational events. The clubs also come together to organise London-wide events.
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Mark Jones
Tel: 07779 575011
Email: mrkjones@hotmail.com