The coronavirus lockdowns have led to many organisations having to halt fundraising events - including Baldock Rotary Club, which donates to local causes.

However, the situation has not meant that the Rotary club has been inactive, on the contrary.

Baldock Rotary club members have continued to meet on a weekly basis, albeit by way of video conferencing rather than face to face and there have been many interesting talks by guest speakers. Also, these meetings have enabled the club to continue discussing making charitable donations as usual.

Club President Paul Redwood commented said: "Despite the COVID restrictions that we have all had to live with over the past twelve months, I am extremely pleased that the members of Baldock Rotary Club had responded as they had.

"Particularly pleasing has been the level of enthusiasm and the creative initiatives that have been undertaken to enable the club to do what they do best, put service above self."

This determination to support the community is illustrated by the activities that Baldock Rotary has continued to pursue during lockdown, namely the installation of the Christmas lights, taking Father Christmas and the sleigh around the streets, maintenance of defibrillators, support of the Young Writers award and the continued development of the new Rotary wood which attracted tremendous ‘socially distanced’ support from the local community.

The Rotary club has also continued to make many donations during the past 12 months, with causes such as Baldock community minibus, Age UK Herts, Garden House Hospice Care, MS Society North Herts and the Baldock Coronavirus Support Group benefitting.

On a wider front, international donations have been made for the eradication of Polio, the Beirut Disaster appeal and to APOPO rats. Donations have also been made to Rotary International’s own Foundation charity.

All in all, an impressive array of donations, which have been gratefully received, in these difficult times, by the very deserving charitable causes.

Baldock Rotary is always looking to attract new members. If you are interested, contact Paul Redwood on 07999 350990 or paul49redwood@gmail.com.