Soltalk April 2020 | Page 31

Rotary Club Medal of Marbella presented In a ceremony at the City of Marbella theatre last month, the town hall of Marbella paid homage to three celebrity “favorite children” of the city and three associations who work in solidarity with people in need in the community. The event was presided by the mayoress of Marbella and recognised master chef Dani Garcia, champion Golf player Azahara Muñoz and actor Pepón Nieto as “Hijos Predilectos” of Marbella. Three associations who work with less fortunate people were also recognised and awarded the medal of the city. Caritas is a charity in Marbella that helps the homeless, Horizonte Proyecto Hombre helps those with addiction problems and Rotary which is an international organisation working for peace. Nerja’s very own Osteopath, Mark Shurey, became involved with Rotary around five years ago and last year was made President of the Marbella Guadalmina Rotary club. There are three Rotary clubs in Marbella and the members are made up of professional people who wish to give back to their communities. Mark Shurey (right) accepts medal of the city of Marbella on behalf of Marbella Guadalmina Rotary club. We are looking for existing Rotarians in the Nerja area or anyone from any professional background who has some time to give to Rotary Clubs have meetings every one or two weeks and hold events to raise money for different local and international causes. Marbella Guadalmina is the first English speaking Rotary club on the Costa del Sol and has been established some 10 years. For more information about Rotary in Nerja, please contact Billy Hamilton on 0044 7881 740144 or check out the “Rotary club of Nerja” page on Facebook. “It was a really great honour to receive the medal on behalf of our club. I felt very proud of our achievement and grateful for the recognition” said Mark. The club will be hosting the first Guitar Festival in Marbella on the 19th and 20th June this year as their main fund raising event. The club supports projects to build toilet blocks in African schools, dental programs for children, a centre for abuse victims in La Linea, equipment for a centre for people with severe disability, bedding for orphanages, aid for refugee camps, etc. Rotary International would like to extend its presence into the Axarquia and so a brand new Nerja Rotary club is in the process of formation. Marbella Guadalmina will be supporting the new club in its foundation. 29