IF anyone had tried to predict how different this year would turn out, they would have never ever have been believed!
For Frome Rotary, it has been no exception. They report, “What started quite normally suddenly found us thrust the club into having to do everything remotely, and like so many others, Zoom has been our lifeline.
“Immediately the lockdown occurred, we took a hard look at what charities in Frome might need, given that they, like us, suddenly found routes to fundraising cut off. We had some reserves, and it has been this as well as the generosity of our members, plus particularly generous backing from quarry company, John Wainwright & Co. Ltd. which has allowed us to maintain donations to the charities who provide food and various kinds of support to the community in Frome.
“We also decided that we must try to combine fundraising with providing enjoyment to our community. A gardens competition run using photos, resulted in some stunning results and worthy winners. This was run by what we call Rotary in Frome. This is the combined efforts of our club together with Frome Selwood Rotary and Frome Town Rotary. Our joint aims and objectives are primarily geared towards providing help to our local community. In addition, the “Purple for Polio” campaign, run by the International Rotary organisation announced the eradication of polio in Africa.
“Together with Frome Lions, we had to work incredibly hard to ensure the Christmas float was able to bring enjoyment to everyone in Frome and surrounding villages. Whilst fully complying with Covid-19 restrictions and using remote giving, with the funds raised we and Frome Lions should be able to provide continuing support for others in need next year. This will be further supported by the return of our charity shop in the Westway Centre.
“The great news of the approval of a vaccine provides hope for a brighter future. This will hopefully allow us to operate more normally as the new year progresses, and we will be able to meet face to face, and provide everyone with the kind of support which Rotary is famed for locally and around the world.”
