Abergavenny Rotary Club has been awarded the Rotary Citation for 2020-21 for its work and commitment to serving and helping its community during the past difficult year.

Abergavenny Rotary is part of Rotary International, which has 1.2 million members worldwide and 35,000

clubs.

Club president for 2020-21 Dean Christy said: “I am very proud that we have been given this internationally recognised award, which acknowledges the hard work of members of the club during a year which presented tremendous challenges “.

Some of the activities which contributed to the award include:

* Establishing new fund-raising strategies and activities

* Sponsoring children in an orphanage in Uganda through the Rokungiri Partnership

* Achieving charitable status to maximise income from fundraising activities

* Strengthening the club’s publicity measures to attract new members and to maximise support for fundraising activities

Club secretary Robert Parker said: ““We have done far more promotion of the club via social media and local publications this year.

‘‘Some of our activities included, the Not the Swimathon Challenge, Rotary Covid Heroes, installation of defibrillators in the Town Centre, recycling of laptops to schools, donations of over £16,000 to local worthy causes, including £2,600 to our local district hospital for Covid relief measures and running a local recruitment campaign, which is starting to bear fruit with the recruitment of four new members in the last few months, with more in the pipeline”.

Dean Christy said “Despite the difficulties presented by the Covid pandemic, which meant that the Club was unable to hold a Steam Rally again this year or enjoy face-to-face meetings, I am delighted that the Club has achieved so much and that our achievements have been recognised.

‘‘This is credit to the chairs of the club committees and their teams who worked tirelessly throughout the year and made it possible for the club to raise funds, donate to worthy causes and recruit new members.

‘‘And, while virtual meetings are not ideal, they were instrumental in keeping the club going during lockdown.

‘‘We are now looking forward to resuming our normal meetings and to hold the Steam Rally again on the 3rd and 4th of June 2022 to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.”

Abergavenny Rotary Club members enjoy socialising, networking and helping the community.

If you are interested in joining them, please contact the Club Secretary on 07879 – 330289