Ashby Hastings Rotary Club has made a donation of £700 to the Coats4Kids charity.

It means that the money can be used to buy 28 coats for less fortunate children.

Coats4kids was set up to work with schools throughout the UK and identify those children in need.

The charity provides a gift voucher which will allow them to visit a dedicated website in September and October where they can purchase a good quality coat - produced to last - meaning that their siblings could also use them.

A spokesperson for Ashby Hastings Rotary Club said: "As Rotarians, our members have a genuine concern for those who are less fortunate than ourselves, especially in these uncertain times and where young children are involved. 

"As soon as we heard about this scheme, which was the brainchild of Val Howe wife of our District Governor Steve - who are both members of the District1070 eclub - we decided we had to help. 

"To quote from their webpage: 'Children cannot learn if they are not ready to learn. When they are worrying about keeping warm on the way to school or at playtime, they cannot possibly be ready to learn'.

'By supporting Coats4Kids you will be: 

• keeping a child warm and dry
• Improving a child's self confidence 
• Preventing bullying 
• Taking pressure off of a family that is barely making ends meet 
• Aiding a child in being ready to learn.' 

Club members voted to donate £200, which at £25 per coat would be sufficient to buy eight coats. 

District Governor Steve Howe advised that we could apply for a matching District Grant and Secretary Paul Bertenshaw agreed.

Eventually, Ashby Hastings decided to make an additional donation of £300, which with the initial donation and the successful matching D1070 grant, meant the club were able to reach a grand total of £700.

A cheque to this value was handed to Barry Hackett (President of District 1070 eclub) at the three Ashby clubs' annual Cheque Presentation Evening earlier this year. 

President Barry expressed his thanks on behalf of all the children who would benefit from the club's actions.