Kinver Rotary Club

On the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the club’s formation, around 70 people attended its annual Charter Night on June 11 at the Fox Inn in Stourton.

Guest of honour was Jane Sutton, accompanied by her partner Tracey. Jane spoke with passion on the story of her son, Stephen Sutton MBE, and the impact of his extraordinary life upon hers and others. Stephen passed away as a result of cancer on 14th May 2014, a few months before his 19th birthday. Jane told Stephen’s Story and his fundraising efforts for the Teenage Cancer Trust that she has continued, with well over £5 million raised for the charity. Stephen’s bucket list of 46 ambitions, accompanied by a wide smile, his trademark thumbs-up gesture, and his unflinching determination to live his life to the full despite being diagnosed with incurable cancer, touched so many people and continues to do so. Jane explained that Stephen’s courage has changed her life for ever.

“I was never a moaner,” she explained once, “but I used to worry about small things. Now, I find myself thinking, 'why did I ever worry about that?’ One of the things Stephen used to tell me all the time was, 'don’t sweat the small stuff. Go out and enjoy yourself’. That’s certainly how I intend to live my life from now on in.” In recent years, Jane has run London marathons and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, just to name two achievements of this remarkable woman. Stephen must be very proud of her and I know that those who attended on 11th June will never forget what they heard and saw. The club was honoured to present Jane with a donation to the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Jane is pictured with Club President, Clive Corbett.

Off the back of the success of its inaugural wine tasting last year and an overwhelming demand to run a similar event again this year, the Youth Committee of Kinver Rotary organised another wine tasting evening on June 8. Forty club members, partners, friends enjoyed sampling a variety of wines from across the world with tasting notes provided by Dom from Majestic Wines. Not only was it a very enjoyable social event, it also raised £145 for charity from the generosity of those that attended.