Covid-19 support

During the Coronavirus crisis our Club has continued to function through weekly Zoom meetings which the majority of members attend. We have a varied and informative speakers and continue to support a number of local charities which are involved in dealing with the most vulnerable people in our community impacted by Covid-19.

Our own fundraising has allowed us to make donations to charities such as Charity Link which supports those in our community who find themselves in crisis, poverty and hardship The charity works with referring agencies, assess applications for help and liaise with clients to ensure they receive the essential items they so desperately need. The help includes the provision of essential household goods which improve quality of life, food vouchers, and, on occasions, small amounts of cash or grants for utilities thereby helping those who have, for one reason or another, slipped through the system.

With a matching grant from Rotary’s own charity – Rotary Foundation – we have raised over £2000 which will provide 14 much needed beds for Charity Link clients.

Another charity we have been able to support is Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland.

This charity helps the most vulnerable older people in our community. Many of those in need are lonely and have added complications such as health problems, dementia or infirmity.

In just one week Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland made 1294 befriending/check up calls to people who, since the spread of the virus, have asked for befriending support

The charity’s Coronavirus Helpline dealt with 370 enquiries to include worries about catching the virus, some distressed about not being able to get any food or collect their prescriptions, transport requests for hospital appointments, and a lot of calls from people who were very lonely to the point that they were talking about taking their own lives. 96 emergency food parcels were delivered and 64 shopping trips were undertaken.

Again with matched funding from Rotary Foundation we have donated in excess of £3500 to help with the purchase of racking and freezers for the charity’s foodbank operation.

This has all been made possible by the generosity of our members many of whom have chosen to donate the equivalent of their weekly meal cost to be split between the charities.