The Rotary Club of Lilongwe has strengthened its pledge to support charitable work after raising K37 million, surpassing its K30 million target during its annual Fundraising Bed Race held at the Memorial Tower in Area 18.

Club president George Naphambo said the successful fundraising effort demonstrates Rotary’s commitment to uplifting vulnerable communities through sustainable projects.

“The Bed Race is our fun but effective way of raising money for charity. Our target was K30 million, and we have managed to raise K37 million,” Naphambo said. “These funds will go towards supporting women in Area 25 who recycle waste into manure, and to our dental camp where members of the public receive free dental treatment.”

Naphambo said the donation will help rehabilitate a laboratory for the Malawi Council for Persons with Disabilities (MACOHA), supply dental equipment and medicine to clinics, and further assist women in Area 25 with manure production.

He emphasised that all contributions, both from corporate partners and the general public, will have a significant impact on Rotary’s charity work.

“With support like this, we are able to reach more communities and change more lives,” he said.

The Area 25 Women Waste Management Group will use part of the funds to purchase protective gear, a water tank, and equipment to improve their manure production business. The dental camp will also be supported with medicines and supplies donated to central hospitals.

The Malawi Defence Force (MDF), which fielded two teams in support of Rotary’s charitable mission, dominated the race, with MDF 2 emerging winners and MDF 1 finishing second.

Major Willian Namboya, Staff Officer Grade 2 in the Directorate of Training at Joint Headquarters, said the MDF was proud to back Rotary’s community-focused initiatives.

“As the Malawi Defence Force, we exist to serve Malawians. When Rotary invited us to support their charity activities, we responded positively,” Namboya said. “Winning feels great, but most importantly, we were here to contribute to a good cause.”