HEXHAM Rotary Club has donated over £10,000 to worthy causes - including those which are working to protect communities during the coronavirus pandemic.

Like many other people and organisations, the long-established organisation has overcome the challenges of lockdown to make a real difference.

Many of the club’s major fund-raising activities, such as the Hexham Rotary Jazz Festival, due to take place at Hexham Abbey last weekend, have been postponed.

But thanks to video conferences, and a strong will to serve the Tyne Valley, the Rotarians have continued to deliver.

“Despite the Covid-19 crisis, we have continued to work very hard donating money and support to good causes, many of which recently have been directly related to the pandemic,” said club president Andrew Rigg.

“We are always very grateful to the community of Hexham for their continued generous giving – we really do help make a difference on your behalf.”

The Rotarians have supported West Northumberland Foodbank, Hexham Youth Initiative, Northumberland Log Bank, and the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Natural world specialists Let’s Get Growing, and Shelter Box, which provides assistance to refugees, have also benefited, as well as Blind Veterans UK, in recognition of VE Day.

They have all received a share of £10,000 which has been raised over the past 12 months.

The Rotarians’ Fore Street collection earlier this year raised over £2,000 with donations made to Tynedale Hospice at Home, the Hextol Foundation and several other charities.

During the coronavirus crisis, members have established a special fund to donate the price of they would usually pay for meals at fortnightly meetings.

The Rotary Club also has a disaster fund to aid urgent appeals such famine, fire and floods.