At the District Conference of 2016 in Llandudno Rotarian John Moutrie from the Westhoughton Club delivered a presentation outlining the work we do in REMAP. Since then the Remap Panel covering Greater Manchester and South Lancashire has moved from strength to strength thanks in part to the contributions made by a number of our Clubs.
You will recall, Remap is a nationwide charity providing, completely free of charge, bespoke equipment for people with disabilities. As a group of Engineers and Health Professionals we use our personal skills and workshops to provide practical solutions to help disabled people when proprietary equipment does not meet the individuals’ personal needs.

This report is twofold in it its purpose. One to thank all the Clubs that have donated funds to our charity, and secondly to inform you of a recent national award the Bury, Bolton and Rochdale Panel has achieved.

Since the District Conference in October 2015 we have visited many Rotary and Inner Wheel Clubs and have gratefully received substantial financial support of over £5,000 from:
RC of Astley
RC of Bolton Daybreak
RC of Bolton le Moors
RC of Crompton and Royton
RC of Denton & Audenshaw
RC of Horwich
RC of Westhoughton
Inner Wheel of Chadderton & Failsworth
Inner Wheel of Rochdale
Inner Wheel of Westhoughton

As well as monetary help, a number of Rotarians have joined our Panel over the last three years. Out of a membership of 18 we now have 6 members that are Rotarians!

Significantly the Remap Panel has encouraged secondary school pupils at Sharples School in Bolton to engage in practical engineering design solutions for disabled people and was involved in launching the Governments Program of “The Year of Engineering” in January 2018. Rotarian John Moutrie has also delivered a keynote speech on engineering to the Institution of Mechanical Engineers at Manchester University and the Panel has addressed groups of Health Professional bodies in our area.

With a widening awareness of our offer to the general public the number of people we help has increased by around 25% since 2016.

Reviewing our Panels engagement with publicity, the significant increase in fundraising and the increase in the number of people we have helped this year; at the Remap AGM last week the Remap Trustees has recognised the work we do for our local community and Bury Bolton & Rochdale Panel, out of 72 Panels, have been awarded “The Panel of the Year” for 2017 - 2018.

So a very big thanks to all in District 1285 for your support.

Should you want to find out more about Remap, try this link >>>> www.remap.org.uk

If you know anyone that would benefit from Remap services, please let us know.

Additionally, should any Rotarian or your family or friends know of anyone that have the engineering skills and facilities to engage with your local Remap Panel, we would welcome their help to address the increasing demands of being successful please contact:- Rotarian John Moutrie or, Rotarian Roy Gibbins