Group hands over £25k in pandemic

The town’s Rotary Club has battled on through lockdown difficulties to help numerous groups and individuals.

Spokesman for the group, Brian Souter said: “I have been in Rotary for 27 years and this has been the most challenging time, but I am amazed and proud of what we have been able to achieve.

“While fundraising was affected by the pandemic, Rotary has been fortunate to have had a legacy from the late Alan Waugh to help sustain its charitable work this year.

“One of the major uses of the former teacher’s legacy was the supply of 40 Laptops and Chromebooks to local schools.”

He added: “During the year Knaresborough Rotary has donated over £25,000 supporting - Knaresborough Connectors, Carer’s Resource, Martin House, Shelterbox, PhysioNet, Mercy Ships, Shoeboxes, Knaresborough Silver Band, Appleby Playground, Parkinson’s UK, Mary’s Meals, Days for Girls (Yorkits), Lebanon Appeal and the India Covid Appeal.”

He added that since President Helen Westmancoat began her year in office in July 2020, all club meetings have been online, and her first actual meeting will hopefully be on July 5 when she hands over to incoming President David Druett.

“Unperturbed by the restrictions, Helen found time to do a skydive’ to raise over £600 for charity, to attend the Remembrance Day parades in Knaresborough and Stonefall War Graves cemetery and, along with other Knaresborough Rotarians, help with stewarding at the Yorkshire Showground vaccination centre.

“Food banks in the town have been supported by Rotarians, both financially and physically.

“Since they were unable to meet for a meal, members donated what they would have spent on a meal to the food banks.”

From November to Easter, money donated through the Rotary Wishing Well on Waterside was also given to the food banks.

“In all the club donated over £4,100 to Resurrected Bites and the Knaresborough Food bank this year and £5,100 since the pandemic started.”

Knaresborough Rotary also answered the call to people living with dementia, by sponsoring 23 robotic Companion Cats for the charity Dementia Forward’s Cafe in a Box project.

Join Knaresborough Rotary at: [email protected] or www.knaresborough.rotary1040.org