Interact

Interact clubs, sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, are youth clubs for 12-18 year olds. Every year, Interactors complete at least two projects in their communities, one of which is overseas, helping them build friendships and a better understanding with young people in other countries.

 The Rotary Club of Belfast was delighted to have supported its first Interact Club which had its inaugural meeting on Tuesday 18 June 2018 at Youth Action offices. In attendance were President Rosemary, PE Mark Davidson, PP Alan Rundle and Interactors Sarah Hand, Matthew Black and Martyna Eron.  The enthusiastic members were very supportive of Club events helping particularly with Charity collections.

 Sadly however not being based in a single school it proved difficult to recruit new members and thereby sustain the Club. 

Notably they ran a highly successful a Car Wash held Saturday 17 November 2018 outside the Lisburn Road Fire Station. Helped by the Fire Station crew - who also even collected from passing traffic on the road! - just under £3000 was raised which was split between the Interact Club and the Fireman's charities (just under £1,500 each). 

Thanks are extended to all who brought cars to be washed
(they lost count!)

 A wonderful 1st event for this fledgling Club
- which ended with a sponge fight at the end!

The Interact students subsequently presented £750 to BBC Children in Need, £750 to the NI Children’s Hospice and £1,500 to the Firefighter’s Charity. Represented by Sarah Hand, Lucy Hamilton, Matthew Black and Theo Burton the cheques were presented to Pudsey Bear and Terry Burns (for BBC Children in Need) and Fireman Sam and Lisburn Road Fire Station Blue Watch (for the Firefighter’s Charity) at the Lisburn Road Fire Station Tuesday 04 December. Terry Burns, National Officer BBC Children in Need NI, thanked the Interactors for their donation and presented them with a Certificate to display on their Notice Board.

The Interactors were thrilled with its success and very grateful to Blue Watch, Lisburn Road Fire Station for their help and for facilitating the car wash.

Interact Club of Belfast President Sarah Hand presented Jackie Ogilvie with a cheque for £750 for the NI Children's Hospice at the Club meeting 17 June 2019. Thanking for the donation, Jackie noted that it was most appreciated and would go towards the care of patients and their families. Also pictured is Club Interact Officer Past President Alan Rundle.

At the meeting 02 September, before leaving Belfast to study medicine in Edinburgh, Interact Club President Sarah thanked the Club for all her fantastic Rotary experiences especially as a 2018 TABU participant and Belfast Club Interact President 2018/19. We wish her and all the Club Interactors well in their studies and future career.

The Club is delighted however that one of the Interact Club members, Theo Burton, has been involved in the setting up of a new Rotaract Club. More here...