Club News
m&m Rotary invite you to join us for our next Speaker Meeting on Monday 7th July at 6.30pm.
Please contact our club secretary at beverley@btinternet.com and we will be happy to forward the zoom link
Meet A Member of m&m Rotary
Peter Cartledge
Peter will tell us about his travels to many countries around the world.
Our Previous Speakers
Eva Marie Ecklu
Eva is a development practitioner and engineer, working as a Program Officer with Solidaridad West Africa. She focuses on sustainable oil palm production in rural Ghana, providing training to over 5,000 farmers to improve livelihoods and reduce environmental impacts. Eva is in the process of launching her own NGO to mentor and educate young African girls, helping them achieve economic independence and create opportunities for the next generation.
As Project Director of the Rotaract Club of Accra Ring Road Central, Eva leads initiatives to address community needs. A key project involves establishing a centre in Ghana's Volta Region for training women to manufacture reusable menstrual pads. This initiative combats menstrual poverty, supports girls' education, and generates employment. Eva's work highlights her dedication to sustainability, community empowerment, and addressing social issues
Chaz Warries & Chad Louw
On Thursday 17th April 2025 we welcomed Chaz Warries (33), founder and President of the LGBTQIA+ League of the Patriotic Alliance, a South African politician, activist, and entrepreneur, alongside Chad Louw (25), former South Africa’s youngest mayor and current NAC Council member. They lead impactful humanitarian efforts through the Chad Louw Foundation, and “Your Kind Is My Kind” (Your Child is my child), the Chaz Warries Foundation.
Together, they champion poverty alleviation, skills development, and youth empowerment in underserved communities—building bakeries, safe shelters, and hope.
Their vision: to uplift the forgotten through dignity, purpose, and community-led change in the heart of South Africa.
The Baton of Hope
“THERE IS HOPE. IF MORE PEOPLE TALK OPENLY ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE, SPOT THE SIGNS, ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS, AND LISTEN WITHOUT JUDGEMENT, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.”
Co-founder of The Baton of Hope, Mike McCarthy, joined a Zoom meeting with m&m Rotary to talk about this important initiative;
the World’s First Physical Icon of Mental Health
MIKE MCCARTHY
Mike was a journalist – for more than 36 years, he reported on headline stories across the world, notching up hundreds of appearances on the BBC and Sky News. Some of his riskier assignments saw him covering masked rioters looting in Manchester, and the frontlines of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, none of these experiences prepared him for the ordeal of losing his 31-year-old son Ross in February 2021. Ross had battled depression for a decade when he died; he left a young son, a fiancée, and a heartfelt request that his family campaign for better mental health support. Mike is committed to honouring Ross’ final wish
m&m Passport Rotary is inviting you to SUPPORT The Baton of Hope
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Mário César Martins de Camargo
(2025-26 Rotary International President)
We were delighted to welcome Mário César Martins de Camargo of Brazil (2025-26 Rotary International President) as our guest speaker on the 17th June 2024.
This informative session covered his plan for his presidential year, including membership.
Judith Diment MBE
Judith is the Rotary Dean to the UN and Polio Plus Chair. She talked about all her experiences representing Rotary at the United Nations and Commonwealth, as well as Rotary's plans for polio.
Bashir Fayaq
Bashir Fayaq is committed to advocating for and representing the diverse communities of Australia. With a clear vision for a more inclusive, community empowerment, equitable, and prosperous nation, his campaign is focused on driving actionable change that addresses the needs and aspirations of all Australians.