ALAN Faulkner openly admits not a lot of people know much about the Rotary.

Ask Joe Public what the movement does and you’re likely to draw blank looks, he says.

As the founding president of one of the clubs in Colchester, he’s devoted years of his life to the organisation and is keen for people to understand more Mr Faulkner said: “I’m sure the average person doesn’t have a clue what we’re all about.

“That’s more of a bad reflection on us because we haven’t been good in the past at telling people what we do and publicising it.

“Rotary got slated on a Radio 4 programme, which portrayed us as stuffy old men with grey hair who go to a lot of dinners. But the reality is, we are very active in charity and volunteer work.”

Mr Faulkner was one of five businessmen approached by Rotary International 25 years ago with a view to forming a new club in Colchester.

The former bank manager agreed to take part and, after a meeting at the Arena Sports and Leisure Club in September 1985, Colchester Trinity Rotary Club was born. It received its charter the following April.

Since then, it has raised more than £238,500 for charity, in Colchester and abroad.

Its first fundraiser was a car boot sale in aid of an eye hospital in India and, within two years, it was organising large-scale projects, such as the Sounds of Colchester musical production at the town’s Mercury Theatre.

Most recently, it has supported causes including the Army Benevolent Fund, Cardiac Risk in the Young and the Enkhaba School, in Swaziland, by providing cash towards new classrooms for the children.

Mr Faulkner explained: “We’re all businessmen who want to harness our expertise, contacts and time towards doing things that will make a difference.

“At the beginning of the year, the new president chooses what we will raise money for throughout his term.”

But it’s not just about fundraising, he said, as the club’s Rotarians are also involved with regular voluntary work.

For example, its members hold mock interviews for pupils at the Stanway School and St Mary’s School to prepare them for the real thing, they are listeners for children’s reading practice, and do an annual clean of the Colne River, as well as helping charities decorates their premises.

It’s this involvement in Colchester life which has given rise to a new Community Awards scheme, which the club launched last month with the Gazette.

The club thought the perfect way of celebrating its silver anniversary would be to honour those who serve the borough, more often than not without any recognition.

Mr Faulkner said the club’s landmark year provided the perfect opportunity of throwing a party to say thank you to individuals and groups who volunteered their time and skills.

There are eight categories, honouring contributions by young people and adults to the community at large and individuals.

Nominations could include young carers, a youth club, people who do the shopping for a house-bound neighbour or fundraisers.

An awards ceremony will take place at Colchester’s Headgate Theatre in June, where the winners will receive a Rotary Fellowship Award, its highest honour, Lion Walk shopping vouchers and an engraved silver salver.

The closing date for nominations is March 1. The application form appears on this page or can be downloaded by visiting www.gazette-news.co.uk