Community Responders’ fundraiser is a ‘first’ for Greater Manchester

Dukinfield and Stalybridge Rotary Club is celebrating a landmark charitable achievement.

The club is one of hundreds of Rotary clubs from across the country to contribute more than £1 million to Lendwithcare, a microfinance charity which enables people in the UK to make small loans to entrepreneurs from poor communities around the world. 

Since October 2011, Rotary clubs across the UK have been raising funds to make small loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries, enabling them to start or expand their small businesses and work their way out of poverty, feed their families and send their children to school. 

More than £1 million has now been lent by Rotary to farmers, tailors, market stallholders and food producers to name just a few of the types of businesses Rotary have helped in 11 countries across Africa, Asia and South America. 

The first Rotary club to join Lendwithcare was Currie Balerno Rotary Club in Midlothian, and Dukinfield and Stalybridge Rotary Club followed suit earlier this year.

Dukinfield and Stalybridge Rotary Club has contributed towards the national £1 million landmark, with the club loaning to six entrepreneurs in four countries by members making personal donations to fund the loans with Lendwithcare.    

Club Immediate Past President and Chair Foundation, Stephen Gilligan said: “Dukinfield and Stalybridge Rotary Club is proud to be a part of this fantastic initiative. 

“Lendwithcare is a great way to help people out of poverty. You see exactly who the money is going to, and what they will use it for. 

“The entrepreneur uses the funds to help them to earn a living, often employing family members and neighbours as well, helping to lift their communities out of poverty. 

“They pay the loans back, which can be re-lent to person after person.

“I first became involved with Lendwithcare when I was chosen as a Global Poverty Project Ambassador for the UK in 2011.  

“My first loan was to a farmer in the Phillipines called Robert Libarua, which helped him expand his business and created six more jobs for local people on his farm.  

“Since then I have lent to entrepreneurs in Vietnam, Benin, Cambodia, Zambia, Ecuador, Mali and others. I currently have one ongoing loan to a 36-year-old lady farmer in Cambodia who is on a 24-month repayment schedule.” 

Rotary is one of the world’s largest and most successful global membership and humanitarian service organisations, with 1.2 million members in over 200 countries volunteering their time and their talents to tackle challenges at home and abroad to promote peace, fight disease, provide clean water, support education, save mothers and children and grow local economies. 

Stephen Gilligan continued: “Dukinfield and Stalybridge Rotary Club has a proud history of fundraising for charitable causes through community events.  

“Lendwithcare is a fantastic cause and very popular with our members.

“Our members have given generously and it’s testament to their generosity that Rotary clubs countrywide have managed to reach an incredible £1 million. 

“And that money will keep being re-lent and re-lent, translating into many millions of pounds worth of loans over the coming years.”

Head of Lendwithcare, Tracey Horner, added: “Through Lendwithcare, Rotary have helped change the lives of more than 5,000 entrepreneurs around the world so far. 

“We’re grateful to every Rotary member who lends their time and energy to raise funds to lend to people trying to earn a living in some of the most challenging environments in the world. 

“It really is life-changing for the people we work with, and we want to extend our huge thanks to Rotary Great Britain and Ireland, and everyone at Dukinfield and Stalybridge Rotary Club.”

Dukinfield and Stalybridge Rotary Club have assisted entrepreneurs such as Victoria in Zomba Malawi, who used her loan to buy more clothes for her business selling fish, vegetables, groceries, and clothes and Joshua from Tabunan in the Philippines who used his loan to finance his farming expenses, buying quality seeds and fertiliser as well helping with the salaries of his hired workers.  

Anyone can make a loan through Lendwithcare or buy a Lendwithcare voucher as a Christmas gift. 

Loans start from £15 and will typically be paid back over 6-12 months. 

Follow Dukinfield and Stalybridge Rotary Club’s footsteps and visit www.lendwithcare.org to make a loan and change a life.