Francisco Jurado was named President of the Guardamar Rotary Club in July 2023. He and his team are currently working on their first big event of 2024 – their annual Classic Car Rally, which will take place on the 23rd of March in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento Guardamar.
Fransico Jurado has been involved with the Rotary Club for over nine years and this is his second time stepping up to take on the role as President. He will be acting as President until the 30th of June this year, where he will be leading the club, managing the annual events, training sessions and community actions.
He has already been at the helm of the World Polio Day fundraising and a charity golf tournament last year. ‘It was wonderful to be part of the successful golf tournament in December’ comments Jurado. ‘We raised over 2,000€ for End Polio Now, as well as raising awareness of the disease, and further funds from World Polio Day in October. We are now working on a mentorship, training and work experience programme for the IES Les Dunes students and on organizing the classic car rally in March.’
Service Above Self
Francisco is very proud to be a Rotarian, as well the store director of three Specsavers Ópticas branches, in Guardamar, Torrevieja and La Zenia. He explains, ‘I strongly believe in the motto ‘Service Above Self’ and the importance of helping our community. Being a Rotarian is the best way to offer my experience, time, and energy back into my community and support the people in our area who really need help. I feel like the Guardamar Rotary Club is a family where you can really enjoy taking part in these important actions with your friends.’
Guardamar’s Rotary Club raises funds for a number of local charities, as well as supporting and developing initiatives which are positive for the community. They regularly support the Red Cross, IES Les Dunes secondary school in Guardamar, the local food bank and Cáritas.
They fundraise through events and collections in association with local businesses. For example, Specsavers Ópticas collects funds in all three of Francisco’s stores, sponsors the events, and the team helps out at the events as well. ‘It’s very important to me that my business can also support the Rotary Club through fundraising and practical support. Specsavers is committed to playing a positive role in the communities where they operate, and this is a great way to do that. It is also a positive experience for my staff to help the charity through fundraising and at events, offering opportunities to develop their skills and confidence and come together as a team for a great cause.’
What’s happening in 2024
On the 23rd of March the Rotary Club Guardamar del Segura and the Guardamar Town Hall are holding their 12th Classic Car Show. Taking place at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento Guardamar, visitors can enjoy the sight of over 100 classic cars and motorbikes in one place, as well as live music, dance performances and an enormous paella. Follow them on Facebook @rotary.guardamar for more information as it is announced.
They are also working hard on a new project to support students at the IES Les Dunes high school in Guardamar through training and professional development. This will make it easier for the students to find jobs when they leave school.
Francisco explains, ‘We know that one of the biggest concerns of the young people in our community is finding jobs. So, we are launching a mentorship programme for students who are completing their vocational training programmes in hospitality, catering, administration and gardening.
We will be arranging talks by local business owners and employers in the school to motivate them and offer practical advice to help them prepare for entering the workplace. We will be creating a Rotary Guardamar Achievement Award, to celebrate the best pupil at the school. Finally, we are in the process of finding internship opportunities to help them gain work experience.’
If any local business owner or entrepreneur would like to give a talk, or offer internships for these students, please contact the Rotary Club by emailing rotaryguardamar2203@gmail.com.
Donations for the Rotary Club can be dropped into the three Specsavers Ópticas stores that Francisco owns, in Guardamar, Torrevieja and La Zenia. Find your nearest store at www.specsavers.es
