The Corona Virus caused the Rotary Club of Horbury and Ossett Phoenix to adjust its donations priorities towards supporting the frontline services of the food banks and Hospices. The Ossett Resource Centre food bank which is co-ordinated by Marie Moore and other volunteers at the South Ossett Church Community Centre was given a further £500 to help respond to the 100% increase in demand for food parcels, and a similar amount was provided for the Food bank operating through the St Georges Community Centre at Lupset.
The difficulties encountered by local Hospices was also recognised by donations of £2000 to Wakefield Hospice, £1000 to Kirkwood Hospice and £1000 to the Forget Me Not Trust Childrens Hospice all of which provide to support to families and individuals within the area covered by the Rotary Club.
A number of the younger members of the Phoenix Rotary Club are also actively engaged in supporting the community with activities such as delivering meals, food and prescriptions. Rotarian Alan Hudders has shown great leadership and commitment by co-ordinating the Horbury Senior Citizens Covid 19 support group which involves 75 volunteers acting as help desk advisers, delivery drivers and telephone befrienders for people isolated and or in self isolation.
President of the Rotary Club Phil Johnson said, “The age of most of our club members and associated risks, has meant that we are nor as actively involved in responding to the Corona Virus impacts as we would normally be, however the decision to change our donation priorities was a way in which we could quickly put resources into supporting our community and those front line workers who are caring for them”.
Picture: Rotarian Nick Hunter with a car load of deliveries setting off from Ossett Resource Food Bank.
