THE Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire Rotary District which includes Rotary in Skipton has certainly lived up to its motto of ‘Service Above Self’ during lockdown, with almost a quarter of a million pounds worth of food being delivered to foodbanks and similar support groups.

Despite Covid and lockdown curtailing many fund raising activities, the clubs dug deep to play their part during the pandemic.

In addition to the massive support for foodbanks, close to £30,000 has been donated for PPE on top of making twenty thousand face masks and scrubs.

Rotarians have been busy volunteering too, with over six thousand volunteer hours at vaccination centres being recorded so far.

Throughout the region hundreds of smaller, but no less significant projects were completed.

These included donating sanitary protection for those unable to afford it, feeding children breakfasts and lunches to ensure they didn’t miss out, donating laptops or money to schools, supporting local hospices, Christmas gift boxes for children and older people who may have had little cheer last year, and many other initiatives.

Stephen Ellis, district governor for the region said: “The lockdown was certainly not going to stop Rotarians helping out their local communities.

“Some clubs galvanised the local community to make face masks and scrubs, which were not only essential items in themselves, but helped bring the community together and boost morale during difficult times.”

He added: “I am so proud of the Rotarians for their contribution to date during the pandemic.

“When their regular events had to be cancelled they came up with innovative ways of raising funds, such as virtual balloon races, Jumblebee online auctions, bob-a-job type activities and many sponsored walks to name a few and then channelled the funds raised to help their local communities.

“Rotarians across the world always rise to the challenge following a crisis, and this one has been no different.”

Rotarians in Skipton have continued to play their part with donations to a range of local charitable organisations including: -

Skipton Food Bank, Mary’s Meals, School in a Bag, Manorlands Hospice and SELFA.

Rotary volunteers have worked together with “Skipton Step into Action” to collect shopping and prescriptions for those shielding and to help collect and wrap Christmas presents for “Christmas for Kids”.

In support of the NHS, members have volunteered at vaccination centres throughout the pandemic and have donated a trauma chair to Airedale Hospital to assist patients recovering from the effects of COVID.

Skipton Rotarians have sent donations to schools in Nepal, Kenya and South Africa and continue to provide active support for the ShelterBox Initiative.

As restrictions are lifted, Rotary clubs will continue to see the return of community initiatives and events much missed in the past months.

The Rotary Charity Car Park in the Bailey is back in action on Saturdays with the kind permission of Skipton Building Society.

Plans for the Dragon Boat Race, Santa Fun Run and Santa Sleigh are well advanced for later this year.

Lockdown hasn’t prevented Rotarians in Skipton from making new friends, having fun and supporting good causes, locally and around the world.

If you would like to know how you can help in any of these projects or would like more information on Rotary In Skipton then please email: micheleh@skiptoncravenrotary.co.uk or ian.clark@skiptonrotary.org.

In August Rotarians in Skipton are holding an 'International Day' and showcasing Rotary's achievements with a display in Holy Trinity Church and on Skipton High Street.

Dragon boat racing is also planned at Coniston Hotel in September.