Thousands Donated to North East Covid Hit Charities

Around £25,000 has been donated to help Covid hit organisations and charities in the region by Rotary North East in the year since the first lockdown. 

The regional body advanced £10,350 in April and May last year to North East Rotary clubs – including Rotary Washington Forge - as the pandemic started to bite,  which was match funded by the clubs and distributed to local charities and good causes. This was followed by a further £14,300 in the last month and with more likely to be paid out shortly. 

Rotary North East Governor, Barbara Broadbelt, said: ‘The money the regional body has given to our 50 plus clubs supplements the work they have done this year and the many thousands they have also given away in their own communities.’ She said that Rotary North East had funds which it was not spending on its usual and varied events and meetings over the year. So rather than it sitting in an account, it was decided to distribute it among the clubs.  ‘They applied for the money and had to tell us what they were going to do with it, and all has gone to help their communities across the North East.’ She said she was ‘incredibly proud’ of the way Rotary clubs has responded to the needs in their areas. ‘Clubs have supported food banks, volunteered at vaccination centres, held virtual fund raisers and events to raise more money among other things.’  

Information about work which local clubs have been undertaking can be found through can be found through Facebook  Rotary North East, Twitter @Rotarynortheast or through the website.