Following Portland Charity’s decision to end external functions and events from the end of August this year, Mansfield Rotary Club held its final gathering at the Mansfield venue on Tuesday 25 August, marking the end of more than 25 years of events at the college.
But this isn’t goodbye. The partnership continues, and Portland is taking the opportunity to celebrate the incredible impact Mansfield Rotary Club has made over more than two decades.
Over the years, Mansfield Rotary Club has raised thousands of pounds for Portland, supported projects such as celebrating young people’s achievements through the Courage Awards, and helped beneficiaries to take an active role in the wider community. Portland has also had the pleasure of hosting the Rotary’s Christmas events, Annual General Meetings, fundraising evenings, and performing arts events and shows.
One significant example was Portland’s Minibus Appeal, which helped provide suitable transport for learners and citizens. Accessible transport is essential in enabling disabled people to access education, activities, work experience, community opportunities, and wider services.
Support has extended beyond fundraising too. In 2021, Portland’s Day Service Gardening Group joined Mansfield Rotary’s ‘Just Bin It’ litter-picking campaign, taking the work they carried out around the Portland campus into the wider Mansfield community. Five of Portland’s Day Service citizens took part, with Mansfield Rotary providing litter-picking equipment and waste bags.
But the relationship between the two organisations goes far beyond a venue and charitable donations; it is a partnership rooted in the local community.
Portland Charity’s Fundraising and Events Team Leader, Tracey Horton, said:
“We are extremely grateful for the support and friendship that has developed between Mansfield Rotary Club and Portland Charity over many years. As both organisations look to the future, we hope that this strong community partnership will continue for many years to come.”
The final event with Portland Functions was attended by Mansfield Rotary members and, for the first time, the entire event support and catering team. All 18 staff members received a £100 Community Donation Voucher to support a charity or community organisation of their choice, presented to them by Mansfield Rotary President Wayne Swiffin, alongside Rotarians Geoff Milnes and Pete Holland. In total, Mansfield Rotary Club will donate £1,800 to a variety of local causes.
Portland Charity’s Enterprise Manager, Rachael Richardson, said:
“It really meant a lot to the Portland Functions team to be included and to have the opportunity to celebrate the evening and be part of the event rather than working behind the scenes as we normally do.
“On a personal note, I was fortunate enough to be the Rotary Treasurer for a period of time and proud to be one of the many ladies involved with the club over the years. This has given me an even greater appreciation of the time, commitment, and dedication that the members give to supporting their communities and good causes.
“It has been a real privilege to work alongside Mansfield Rotary over so many years, both professionally and personally. They have become a very special part of Portland’s history, and we are incredibly grateful for their continued friendship, support, and generosity.”
Mansfield Rotary Club President, Wayne Swiffin, said:
“Portland College has been an excellent home for our meetings, but what has really made the difference has been the people who have looked after us.
“Week after week we have received a warm welcome and tremendous service from the staff, often with individuals going that extra mile to make sure everything ran smoothly.
“As Portland is no longer providing functions and events, we now have to move our meetings elsewhere, but we did not want to leave without properly recognising the people who have done so much for us.”
To find out more about how you can support Portland, click here.