The Rotary Club of Leigh run an annual event, which could be of interest to other Rotary Clubs.

Even established professionals can find that speaking in public can be a nerve-wracking experience, but when you are under 12 years old, speaking to an audience of seventy people becomes a massive challenge! That is what youngsters had to face at Leigh Rotary Club’s “Let the Children Speak” event.

Pupils from eight local schools took part with 20 pupils speaking for 5 minutes on a very wide variety of topics of their own choice, ranging from “Endangered Animals” and “How to Look After Dogs”, to “Animation” and “Football”. Two girls also did a presentation on “Jokes” which had everyone giggling.

This event is not a competition, but is a great opportunity for children to gain confidence and self esteem and each child was presented with a commemorative trophy.

Rotary President Brian Mills summed up the event, saying, “The youngsters were amazing - speaking clearly and with confidence on interesting subjects and this will really benefit them in their future schooling, careers and personal life. Parents and teachers must be very proud of the youngsters achievements.”