Ipswich East member named Event Organiser of the Year

Chris Yeates and Jo Fox of Larking Gowen seen here presenting rotarian John Button of the Ipswich East Rotary Club (pictured on the right in photo above) with the award for Event Organiser of the Year from Community Action Suffolk. Larking Gowen were proud to sponsor this award in 2018 and congratulate John on receiving his award.

Community Action Suffolk champions community action in Suffolk by supporting the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in its work. The award for Event Organiser of the Year is for an event which uses volunteers and provides an exceptional volunteer experience.

This year, Ipswich East staged the Orwell Challenge for the 42nd time and passed the £3 million mark for money raised for charity. The annual event ranges over private land between Ipswich and Felixstowe. This year, 82 club members and family and friends marshalled 700 entrants around the 26 mile plus course. The event enables large and small charities, good causes and small groups, such as Scouts and sports clubs, to raise funds. The event has become known as the Happy Walk because club members go the extra mile to be welcoming and encouraging to all the entrants.

For John it has been an eighteen- year-long endeavour, building on previous experience and evolving the event so that it remains vibrant in an arena of emerging similar events. The 18 years have seen a long-distance walk expand to include cycling, rough country running, and now certificated marathon running. Paper systems have been replaced with on-line registration and payment systems. The real reason that the event remains a success is the drive and enthusiasm that John imparts which is infectious to other club members. The event is the centrepiece of fund raising for the club and provides a focus for fellowship and endeavour. The photo below shows John (on left) with two competitors in his ‘baby’.The Ipswich East club is very proud of John and his award.

Miles, Ipswich East Rotary Club