THE Rotary Club of Sidcup held its annual Community Day luncheon at Chislehurst Golf Club on Wednesday 11 March.

Thirty representatives of local voluntary and public service organisations were present, headed by the His Worship the Mayor of Bexley, Councillor Nicholas O’Hare and the Mayoress.

Rotary President Roy Barlow thanked the guests for their tireless work throughout the year and then presented the annual Rotary Community Service Award to Philip Hinton. For the past 7 years Phil has been responsible for the organising of a Christmas Day lunch in Sidcup for as many as 60 elderly people.

Most of them live alone and would otherwise have nowhere else to go on that very special day.

Phil and his helpers arrange food and entertainment for them whilst our Rotary Club, which has always had an interest in this event, helps with the transport.

Phil’s voluntary work includes other activities.

He is secretary of Arthritis Care Bexley, organising many varied activities for the members and arranging two holidays every year for at least 25 people.

He books hotels and transport and ensures that they get the best holiday possible.

Phil has been involved in voluntary service locally for 22 years fitting it all into the schedule of his busy full-time job with the BBC. In 2007 he received the London Borough of Bexley Civic Award for voluntary service.

This year it is the turn of Rotary to recognise his outstanding service to the community.