Fundraisers pull out of Airbourne payment scheme
CHARITY fundraisers in Eastbourne have washed their hands of plans to run a street collection to help pay for Airbourne 2009.
Members of the town's four Rotary clubs had been in talks with the council to run the bucket collection during the four day August event with the cash collected being split between the council and local charities.
But members of the Rotary Club of Eastbourne decided to boycott the project when the council decided it would keep 70 per cent of the proceeds and only 30 per cent would go to charity.
Bob Hamblyn, the immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Eastbourne, said club members had withdrawn their support for the scheme after the 70/30 split was revealed in the Herald.
Mr Hamblyn said, "All four clubs attended an initial meeting with the council to discuss a proposal subsequently reported back to the membership of the four clubs.
"This was for a charity collection, the gross income going to rotary charities less the council's costs for services incurred in supporting the collection.
"The council estimated these costs to be between 10 per cent and a maximum of 25 per cent of proceeds, leaving 75 to 90 per cent for charities.
"The Herald accurately reported that many Rotarians were unhappy at the reported change of the cash split, which was neither discussed with nor communicated to the Rotary clubs before the meeting of the licensing committee, but decided by the council.
"One of the objects of Rotary is to encourage high ethical standards in business and professions, and applies a four way test: Is it the Truth? Is it Fair to all concerned? Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships? Will it be Beneficial to all?
"We did not think we could endorse a collection to raise money for Eastbourne Borough Council whilst creating the illusion that the collection was for charitable purposes.
"Rotary's withdrawal reflects the high ethical standards expected of Rotarians.
"The Rotary Club of Eastbourne recognises the benefit which Airbourne brings to Eastbourne as a whole with additional income drawn into the town supporting many businesses and jobs.
"Such a cause is highly supportable by Rotary alongside youth and international causes, if approached the right way.
"We are delighted the EHA has stepped in to help save Airbourne this year, and we don't rule out offering our support in future years, if Rotary's standards for professional and truthful dialogue underpin discussion with the council, and if we can be sure that the monies collected can be allocated to appropriate good causes which conceivably, might include support for the community through Airbourne.
"These views are of the Rotary Club of Eastbourne and other clubs may not share our view."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Bexhill-on-Sea
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 15 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
