THE Rotary Club of Furness has got back to what it is good at over the last 12 months.

After a long spell of inactivity due to COVID 19 the club is delighted to be back in the thick of organising fundraising events and volunteering to support local activities.

During the last Rotary year (July 1 2021 to June 30 2022) they have supported 54 organisations locally, nationally and internationally to the sum of just short of £24,000.

Some of those who have benefitted locally include Girl Guides, Downs support, Islanders Dance Troupe, Furness Homeless, MND, FGH Oncology Unit with Wheelchairs & Riding for the Disabled plus many more worthy causes. 

Nationally they have financially supported Derian House, SAFA (Self Harm Awareness), Coniston Mountain Rescue & the Poppy Appeal.

Internationally they have supported Phillippines boat appeal, Kinamba Project in Africa, Operation Smile (provides cleft palate corrective surgery in third world countries) and worked with the Rotary Club of Warsaw in Poland to support Ukraine.

They have also supported other areas where drought or conflict has/is occurring.

From their Tour de Furness cycle ride some of those benefitting included their main recipients St Mary's Hospice, Bay Hospitals Charities, Parkinson's UK, Mind in Furness and Beat Eating Disorders.

On top of this members have freely volunteered approximately 5,000 hours of their time to support activities including The Festival of Transport, Keswick to Barrow, Wrap up Cumbria, Tour de Furness, Santa Dash, Town Hall Jubilee Party, Dalton Road Jubilee Party and of course many hours to the COVID vaccination program at Alfred Barrow Medical Centre.

Graham Postlethwaite, Rotary Club of Furness Secretary said: "None of this would have been possible without the input of everyone involved in whatever capacity.

"We are a small club with unfortunately an aging membership and not enough lady members, we need of an infusion of younger blood! Are you between 20 and 60 and think you might be interested? If you want to come along and join us or just to help us in our volunteering activities, we meet at Furness Golf Club every Wednesday 6.15pm for 6.30pm. 

"The more members and volunteers we have the more fundraising we can do to support our community."