Borderland Rotary have stepped up to help a young footballer, Tykhon Rodionov, with New Saints football kit so that he can further his footballing ambitions.

Tykhon’s family were forced to flee Ukraine because of the invasion, and the Rotary club has been working closely with many families who have settled in Oswestry, Shropshire.

Jonathan Jones, from Borderland Rotary said, “The club was approached by the family of the young man, and it was unanimously decided that we should sponsor the supply of the football kit to give him the best chance of progressing - and just to enjoy his football.

“He has only been in this country since the Russians invaded Ukraine and it’s been tough for the many families that had to leave so suddenly.

“The New Saints FC Foundation have been helping many people to enjoy football, lots of other sports but are also involved in providing meals and general support for young people in this area”.

The New Saints FC Foundation was set up as a charitable organisation with the aim of engaging with the local community to provide positive, sustainable football, sports, and educational activities for young people. 

They have certainly achieved much over the last ten years and now rank as the largest football foundation in the Welsh Football League, where New Saints compete.

At the second of five limb camps in Kerala, Southern India, during November and December, a very special child presented themselves for treatment among the numerous beneficiaries.

Seven-year-old Godwitness was given that name by his parents in gratitude for his survival, born six months premature, without any limbs and with little chance of survival. But his parents refused to give up.

At the camp, special artificial limbs were produced to perfectly fit his tiny frame as Godwitness became a symbol of hope for others at the camp with his infectious smile.

All of the limbs as well as the treatment wa provided free of charge by the Rotary Jaipur Limb Project.

The series of free limb camps are organised the Rotary clubs of Quilon, Viakom, Allepey, Changancherry and Trivandrum in District 3211, the City of Wolverhampton Rotary Club in District 1210, along with generous support from Districts 1175, 1210 and 1175 in Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland through a Global Grant from The Rotary Foundation.

The Rotary clubs of Folkestone, Channel, Hythe and Romney Marsh have been supporting young carers in Kent for many years and they were pleased to arrange a visit to the pantomime at the Tower Theatre in Folkestone to see a production of Sleeping Beauty.

The youngsters spend much of their time caring for others and the Rotary clubs were pleased to lay on a treat for the carer to get a break for a few hours.

They were accompanied by representatives from the four clubs who always find the joy on the children faces a very uplifting experience.