Rotary Club to support London Marathon entrant

Mother-of-two Samantha Hedges was born in Westerham, now lives in Edenbridge and will run the London Marathon in April to raise funds for Samaritans.  How could the Rotary Club of Edenbridge & Westerham refuse when she asked them for sponsorship? 

Sam approached Rotary via our website, saying that having applied unsuccessfully for 9 years she had now been fortunate enough to secure a place in the London Marathon 2023.  Sam says “Having lost my father to suicide and to feel first-hand the impact it had on our family and how it’s affected me through the years makes it more important to me to raise awareness and support such a great charity as Samaritans.”

Sam is looking for further donations and has a personal target of £2,500.  She is also planning raffles and cake sales – anything to bring in more funds and gain support from the community.  Sam recently met Rotary President Colin and Vice President Brenda at Edenbridge Leisure Centre where she trains three or four times a week, impressing them both with her enthusiasm and commitment. 

To make a donation, find out more about Sam’s story and understand why she is passionate about her cause, go to JustGiving.com, type “Samantha Hedges” in the search box and follow the link to: “Sams fundraising page London Marathon 2023”.

More trees…

Having planted a tree in Westerham last month to celebrate our late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee it was now Edenbridge’s turn.  With the help of Edenbridge Town Council, the club have sponsored a tree in Blossoms Park.  It is a Liquid Amber (Liquidambar Styraciflua) and once established will add colour to the far corner of the Park with its golden red foliage. 

As well as bearing the name of the Club, the plaque below also honours Club Founder Member, Neville Wells, who passed away in 2021.

President Colin Ullmann-Jones is pictured (below) with President Elect Brenda Risdon and other Rotary Club members on what turned out to be a really wet and windy January day!

Photos – Colin Thurston | Text – Roy Cunnington