The outstanding work of a Leytonstone and Woodford Rotary Club member has been recognised with a special award.

Myra Williams is now in her 20th year of Rotary and has achieved the rarely given five sapphire level of the Paul Harris Fellowship, which is named after the organisation's founder.

During her time with Rotary, Myra has spent many years serving on the London District Foundation Committee. This is Rotary's own charity and its funds are used for humanitarian projects throughout the world.

She served for five years co-ordinating district grants. London clubs apply for foundation grants to help fund their projects.

For the last four years Myra has co-ordinated international rotary scholars studying for post graduate degrees in London.

The scholars are awarded Rotary scholarships to study in areas that improve lives such as medicine, education, economic development and peace resolution.

The scholars must have host counsellors in the London Rotary clubs in order to take up the scholarships and because of numbers this is organised centrally.

As the London colleges have international renown, London clubs host more international scholars than any other rotary district in the world. They still expect to welcome 36 scholars this years despite the Covid-19 outbreak.

In recognition of her outstanding work, Myra has received a Paul Harris Fellowship with five sapphires.

Although these awards can be 'bought' by donating money, in this and most instances a club builds up a credit with Rotary International for all the service they do in the community and can nominate a member (or non-member) to receive the award. They are rarely given, and only for substantial and sustained service.

At the club's changeover meeting, held on Zoom, Peter Jacques was inaugurated as president for 2020/2021.

To find out more about the Leytonstone and Woodford club, visit their website or call John on 020 3597 2921.

The club is currently meeting via Zoom on Thursdays from 6.30pm to 8pm.