Welcome to the 2025 Rotary Dragon Boat Festival in Bristol!
Following the resounding success of the 2024 Dragon Boat Festival (DBF), we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made it such an unforgettable day. From the dedicated teams and supportive friends to the cheering families, your contributions made DBF 2024 truly special.
For over 20 years, the Rotary Dragon Boat Festival has supported charities both locally and globally, combining fun, fellowship, and philanthropy. This event is an excellent opportunity for companies, especially those with home-working staff, to come together for team bonding, fun, and fundraising—all in support of well-deserving causes.
Locally, we’ve funded daily breakfasts for over 250 children in South Bristol who might otherwise go hungry and organised special days out for children with special needs. Internationally, we’ve supported life-changing projects such as providing clean water boreholes in Kenya, induction hobs for families in Nepal to combat respiratory illnesses, and a classroom for deaf children in South Africa.
Join us for another incredible day on the water in 2025 and make a real difference!
Winners at Greater Bristol Rotary Young Musician Competition 2025
We are thrilled to announce the incredible success of Antonia Z (HH) and Edmund H (NT) at this year’s prestigious Bristol Rotary Young Musician Competition, held at the Bristol Beacon on 24 January.
Antonia was awarded 1st place, with Edmund earning a well-deserved 2nd place in a final that featured six exceptional young musicians selected from over 30 competitors across Bristol and beyond. The competition, organised by seven Rotary Clubs from the region, celebrates the finest instrumental and vocal talents aged 13–17 performing at ABRSM Grade 7+ level.
Both Antonia and Edmund impressed the adjudicators not only with their technically polished performances but also with their thoughtful programme choices and captivating stage presence.
Edmund, a talented Year 13 music scholar and cellist, performed an exquisite programme featuring Shostakovich, Debussy, Dvořák’s Silent Woods, and solo Bach. Later this year, he is set to perform a movement of Dvořák’s Cello Concerto with a professional orchestra in the Clifton College Chapel.
This achievement builds on the legacy of Vera H, a Year 9 Clifton College music scholar, who won the competition in 2024.
Huge congratulations to both Antonia and Edmund for their outstanding accomplishments and for continuing to inspire us with their exceptional musical talent!
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Borehole for Village in Kenya
A remote Kenyan village now has access to safe, clean drinking water thanks to a borehole funded by the Bristol Breakfast Rotary Club (BBRC) and a grant from Rotary District 1100.
The £2,000 project—£1,000 from BBRC and a matching £1,000 Rotary District grant—was completed by the Maji Safi Charity, which has been providing clean water solutions in Kenya for years. Maji Safi, meaning ‘clean water’ in Swahili, is led by Linda Greenland and has now successfully drilled four boreholes, each transforming the lives of entire communities.
Before the borehole, villagers relied on a distant river for water—often polluted and hazardous to health. Many had to make multiple daily trips carrying heavy loads. Now, clean water is available within the village, improving sanitation, reducing illness, and easing the burden on families.
This marks the fourth borehole project supported by BBRC, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to sustainable, life-changing initiatives in Kenya.
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Bristol Breakfast Rotary Club’s Learning and Mentorship Programme 2024: Changing Lives in Hartcliffe
For the fourth consecutive year, the Bristol Breakfast Rotary Club has proudly partnered with the Bridge Learning Campus in Hartcliffe to mentor young people with special needs aged 14-15. Situated in one of Bristol’s most deprived wards, the school has become a beacon of hope, thanks to an in-house programme spearheaded by an inspiring teacher, Carly Berry, and the unwavering support of the Rotary Club.
The Learning and Mentorship Programme (LAMP)
This groundbreaking initiative, known as the Learning and Mentorship Programme (LAMP), was conceived by the Rotary Club to equip students with essential skills for their future. Accredited by the Institute of Leadership, the programme focuses on fostering self-awareness, teamwork, project planning, and communication. Upon completion, students receive certificates from both the Institute of Leadership and Rotary, celebrating their hard-earned achievements.
Tailored to meet the unique needs of each student, LAMP prepares them for their next steps—whether that be college, vocational training, apprenticeships, or employment. With Hartcliffe facing significant social challenges such as child poverty, health inequalities, and limited opportunities, this initiative is a lifeline for many young people.
Bridging the Gap
Supporting young people has never been more crucial. Care-experienced youth and those facing challenges often grapple with a significant gap in outcomes compared to their peers. Mentorship can change that. Just one hour a week with a consistent, caring adult can bolster confidence, improve academic performance, and open doors to brighter futures.
Through school-based mentoring, the Rotary Club helps young people in Hartcliffe discover and develop their talents. The programme builds confidence, broadens aspirations, and encourages students to explore their potential pathways.
Hartcliffe: A Community in Need
Hartcliffe, located in southern Bristol, faces stark realities. In 2022/23, 36.4% of children under 16 lived in relative low-income families, significantly higher than the city average of 22% and the national average of 20.1%. Poverty often correlates with poor health outcomes; many families in Hartcliffe experience mental health challenges and limited access to healthcare. Additionally, economic deprivation and reduced local employment opportunities compound these issues, leaving many residents with few pathways to success.
Against this backdrop, the Bristol Breakfast Rotary Club adopted the school as a key project five to six years ago. Initially, they provided daily breakfasts for a large number of students. Since then, their involvement has expanded to include transformative initiatives like LAMP.
A Festive Challenge: The Christmas Feast
This year, nine LAMP participants embarked on a project to organise a Christmas Feast for school staff and Rotary mentors. The students formed a committee with roles such as manager and treasurer, meticulously planning every aspect of the event. They determined food requirements, created recipes, managed hygiene protocols, and coordinated time-sensitive tasks—all recorded in detailed workbooks.
To fund their project, the students raised £200 by crafting and sending donation request emails. They also designed and distributed invitations for the event, held on December 16, 2024. On the day, the students prepared, cooked, and presented a delicious meal for nearly 50 staff members, earning rave reviews and heartfelt compliments.
A Triumphant Presentation
On January 21, 2025, the students presented their project to LAMP accreditors. They shared their roles, processes, successes, and lessons learned, impressing everyone with their poise and dedication. All participants passed with flying colours and were awarded certificates by Geoff Mayall, the Rotary Club’s Community and Vocational (COMVOC) lead.
A Lasting Impact
The programme’s success goes beyond the students. Rotary mentors were deeply moved by the positive difference they witnessed in the young people’s lives. The inspiring leadership of Carly Berry, who tirelessly worked with the students between sessions, was instrumental in making this achievement possible.
Through LAMP, the Bristol Breakfast Rotary Club is not just mentoring—they are transforming lives, proving that with guidance, encouragement, and opportunity, young people in Hartcliffe can overcome challenges and thrive.