Rice Run raises much-needed funds for Cambodian families

Towards the end of 2023, the Rotary Club of Claremont, Tas, once again hosted its lucrative annual fundraising afternoon tea to support local charity Cambodian Rice Run with its efforts to assist impoverished families in Cambodia.

The organisation was founded in 2017 by Marita and Todd Tarrant, who wanted to make a direct impact by delivering 100 bags of rice to at-risk families. Instead, they managed to deliver almost 200 bags in the first year alone.

PICTURED: Club funds have also assisted in the purchase of school uniforms, building classrooms and providing school lunches.

Tasmanian director Jan Fulton said Cambodian Rice Run is grateful to the Rotary Club of Claremont for hosting events like the afternoon tea, which drew a sizable crowd and raised more than $7,000.

“The Rotary Club of Claremont has been an amazing supporter of all our projects for the past four years,” Jan said.

“A 30kg bag of rice feeds a Cambodian family for a month and during COVID we were feeding 250 families. Trying to feed so many people during that time was hard but we had some very generous people help us through it.”

The Rice Run will soon require a re-brand to reflect the diversity of its support for the people of Cambodia.

“Education is the key to escaping poverty and last year the Rotary Club of Claremont assisted us with purchasing some school uniforms for the kids in Cambodia,” Jan said.

“Our other projects vary from building classrooms and providing school lunches, to helping people gain education and grow their own businesses.

“We want to set these people up with the knowledge, skills and equipment they need to become independent and financially support themselves for the rest of their lives”.

Article originally posted in the ‘Glenorchy Gazette’.

MAIN PICTURE: A local mother and her children are one of the many families assisted by the Rotary Club of Claremont’s support of local charity Cambodian Rice Run.