Published on 02 April 2024
Students, staff and visitors will be very familiar with the luminous yellow bibs of the Rotary Club of Sunderland working in the University of Sunderland’s car parks on match days and around concerts at the Stadium of Light. Now, the Rotary Club will be visible all year long, as a special plaque has been installed to recognize their contribution to university life.
The Rotary Club of Sunderland was founded in 1922, and since 2001 volunteers have been collecting charity monies at the car parks of the University. In the last 23 years the Club has supported hundreds of students with scholarships and grants. Now, to mark that relationship, the Rotary Club donated five trees to the University’s City Campus, alongside a plaque recognising the Club’s work.
Peter Dunn, President of the Rotary Club of Sunderland, said: “It has been a pleasure for our club to donate these trees to the University of Sunderland. It stands as a symbol of the relationship between us.
“The opportunity that the University gives us to raise funds at the car parks enables us to do so much for our community and needy cases throughout the world.
“Without this partnership, and not forgetting the contribution of SAFC, our club would be a shadow of what we have grown to be. Long may it continue.”
Volunteers from The Rotary Club of Sunderland operate the car parking system at the City Campus every Saturday. Shoppers, football fans and Sunderland Empire matinee customers make use of the parking facilities at a reduced rate.
What many of these shoppers, football and theatre fans may not know is that proceeds from their parking money are shared between the University of Sunderland's Development Trust and a range of local and Rotary charities. Since 2001 volunteers have collected over £130,000 to support the University’s Futures Fund.
The Rotary Club of Sunderland is part of an international organisation whose purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.
The University of Sunderland offers scholarships to applicants, undergraduates and graduates to improve their opportunities, studies and professional career aspirations. To find out more about what is available go to: sunderland.ac.uk