Three local charities benefit from money raised by Ashby Rotary Clubs’ Santa Sleigh collections
Three local charities have been presented with money raised by the Ashby Rotary Clubs' Santa Sleigh collections.
They were presented with cheques for £3,200 each following the annual Christmas tour of the area last month.
The Rotary Club of Ashby de la Zouch President Paul Cook, who was hosting the evening, welcomed all members and guests by saying the evening was a highlight in the Ashby Clubs' year because of the pleasure it gave members to raise money for such worthwhile causes - and, of course, the pleasure it gave to local children to meet Santa.
He presented a cheque for £3,200 to Nicola Richardson of Rainbows Hospice.
Nicola said: "We are so grateful for the continuing support we receive from Rotary in Ashby.
"We are the only hospice for young people in the East Midlands, so the pressure we receive from families with a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness is intense.
"The cost of maintaining our services is increasing all the time and we need to raise more than £12million a year - every year.
"So the donations we receive from individuals and groups such as yours are invaluable. Thank you to all your members and helpers who spent many cold hours collecting this money, It will be well spent!"
Pam Motetta, from Home Start, received its cheque from Margaret Holdsworth, President of Ashby Castle Rotary Club.
She described how Home Start works.
Pam said "We have thousands of volunteers working across the country supporting families and children to transform their lives.
"We believe that the earliest years make the biggest impact so that no child's future is limited. Families struggling with many issues such as isolation, physical health problems, post-natal depression and so on receive the support of a volunteer who will spend time in the family's home supporting them in the way they need.
"I hear from my volunteers how our support helps many families which, although hard work for the volunteers, makes the effort so worthwhile. Thank you all for this donation. It is so valuable.'
Geoff Wilson, President of Ashby Hastings Rotary Club, presented the cheque to Debbie Thrussell and Lisa Holford from Loros.
Debbie spoke of the purpose of Loros, to deliver free, high-quality, compassionate care and support to terminally ill patients, their families and carers. She handed over to Lisa who deals directly with families.
She spoke of the need for family support both in the hospice and at patients' homes, particularly for children's support in times of serious illness and bereavement which is provided by clinical nurse specialists and the home visiting service.
Lisa said: "We believe that everyone with an incurable illness has the right to excellent care. They may not receive it elsewhere, but they'll receive it at Loros."
President Paul Cook thanked the guests for giving insights into the valuable work that they do.
He also thanked the community of Ashby and surrounding villages for their generosity that made the evening's charity donations possible. He went on to thank District Governor Chris Knight for chairing the Santa Sleigh Organising Committee for many years and asked him to close the evening.
Chris said: 'The Organising Committee sets out the plan while Rotarians and our many helpers spend hours and days in all weathers to carry it out. How well they have done shows up in the amount we have been able to donate to the charities.
"I have to thank everybody for all that hard work – both by Rotarians and their families and the non-Rotarian helpers who we have relied on even more this year.
"I'll close by wishing everyone a safe journey home and reminding the members of the Organising Committee that our first meeting in 2025 is in March!"
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