Rotary Club of Workington has been quick to respond to a number of requests of support from the community.

Members have been supporting community groups, schools and individuals throughout the current crisis.

President, Alan Barry said: “At the minute we are putting all of our efforts into meeting the needs of those directly and indirectly affected by the coronavirus, whether that is picking up some shopping, checking in with people, or funding some of the many excellent community support projects that have risen out of the pandemic.”

The club has recently helped support Northside Community Centre. They purchased a card reader, which the club needed as a vital piece of kit.

St Joseph’s Catholic High School was awarded £300 by the club to help it continue providing nourishing lunches for local children.

Energy Coast UTC is part of a local collaboration producing much-needed face visors for NHS staff and care home workers.

The club donated £200 towards the costs of elastic, a key element in this important piece of PPE.

Community Services lead, Hughie Stamper, chairs the Workington Community Emergency Response Group.

The group has overseen the recruitment of one hundred and seventy street warden volunteers.

They are doing vital roles by helping to deliver shopping, picking up prescriptions, walking dogs and carrying out jobs for those unable to leave their homes.

Hughie said: “Tony Wareing, secretary and I thank everyone who has helped in any way, great or small, in establishing and maintaining this street warden system."

He added: “It is a credit to the community spirit still alive and well in Workington and the surrounding area.”

The club has also linked up with Cockermouth Rotary Club to donate £500 to the Music Against Malaria project in Malawi, a project that provides mosquito bed nets for district hospitals.

This partnership led to the purchase of one hundred and ten nets, which is another step towards the refurbishment of malaria clinics in Malawi.

The club is always looking to welcome new members.

If anyone is interested in joining, search for Rotary Club of Workington online for more information on the club and how to join.