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09
Jul 2020
Last Updated: 08/07/2020
Skydiving enthusiast becomes Knaresborough rotary's new president
Knaresborough rotary's new president is focusing on encouraging more members during her term but in her spare time enjoys skydiving. After 42 jumps she hopes to arrange more to raise more money.
Knaresborough Rotary Club's new president is a skydiving enthusiast and hopes her leadership can encourage more members.
Helen Westmancoat has taken over the presidency determined to encourage new members to join the club. Following over 30 years in the scouting movement she also hopes to support young people in the community through the club's fundraising.
Helen isn't just a rotary member she is also an avid skydiver having completed 42 jumps. Her hobby began as a fundraising attempt and now she hopes to introduce it to the scout groups she works with.
She said:
"The diving started in 2011 when I worked at York St John's and there was a call to do a dive for the student support charity. I can't do it alone in this country now as I'm over the age limit that it allows but I do hope to more maybe abroad in the future.
The main thing to focus on now is the rotary, raise the profile to encourage more members. We're open to everyone, all ages."
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Over the coronavirus period the club has continued to meet virtually to plan how it can help the community during and following the pandemic. It is currently working with Knaresborough Connectors to help those in need as well as providing face masks to public facing groups such as Knaresborough food bank.
"We will be doing community things working to support people in the town following the pandemic as well. We did have a plan for which charities to support this year but with everything going on the main for me is Knaresborough Connector's. It'll be a challenging year but we are committed to helping people, if we can use this as an opportunity that'll be great."
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