Rotary ‘first’ honour for Ian

Derbyshire businessman Ian Hodgkinson has become the first recipient of a new Rotary honour that recognises outstanding service to the community.

The managing director of Hodgkinson Builders in Pride Park, Derby, has been awarded a Rotary Club of Hope Valley Citation for Meritorious Service for his role in a campaign to highlight the nightmare lives of blind and partially-sighted victims of Charles Bonnet Syndrome, a medical condition that causes them to ‘see’ phantom visions.

It also recognises his support for local groups working to improve the lives of sick youngsters and young people with sporting interests.

Ian was presented with his Citation at the Rotary club‘s Charter celebration at Hassop Hall in the Derbyshire Peak by president Alisma Clark who thanked him for his generosity in funding the publicity materials for the Charles Bonnet awareness-raising campaign.

was proving to be a particularly successful initiative, the first of its kind in the world, and was already attracting international interest.

She said that the new citation had been introduced to reward those unsung heroes within the community, like Ian, who worked to better the lives of other people in many ways - without any thought of reward.

Valley Past President Ron Eyley, who nominated Ian for the Citation, described him as ‘a true philanthropist’.

Ian, who was accompanied by his wife, Allison, told Rotarians and guests that he felt honoured to be the first recipient of a Citation. “My company makes a living from the community and has always believed that it should put something back into the community,” he said.

Ian is pictured, centre, with Allison (left) and Alisma (right).