Rotary clubs in Burgess Hill, Cuckfield, Lindfield, Sussex Vale and Haywards Heath’s work during coronavirus

Rotary clubs across Mid Sussex have been responding to the Covid-19 crisis by making donations to and supporting local organisations, including food banks and mental health charities.
Haywards Heath president Vicky O’Farrell collecting food from Nuffield Health SUS-200906-113904001Haywards Heath president Vicky O’Farrell collecting food from Nuffield Health SUS-200906-113904001
Haywards Heath president Vicky O’Farrell collecting food from Nuffield Health SUS-200906-113904001

The four local clubs, Burgess Hill, Cuckfield & Lindfield, Haywards Heath and Sussex Vale have all made donations to a number of charities in the area to help them through the crisis, totalling £21,277.

These include £3,325 to local foodbanks, £9,150 to local hospices, £2,512 for overseas support, £1,700 to mental health charities, £2,100 to a domestic abuse charity as well as donations to homelessness charities, older people’s organisations, and support for families and children. 

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As well as financial donations, clubs have helped out in practical ways. 

Sussex Vale is working with the local WI to provide scrub bags and provided children’s activity packs to the local foodbank. 

Haywards Heath worked with Nuffield Hospital to collect food supplies and deliver them to the foodbank, and Burgess Hill provided and erected a gazebo for Sheddingdean School.

A spokesman for Rotary said: “Clubs continue to meet regularly on Zoom and carry on with Rotary projects as best they can. 

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“Although we are unable to continue with planned events and fundraising activities, such as the regular car boot sales, we are looking for alternative ways to support the local community. 

“This includes online fundraising and members donating their weekly meal money for charitable causes. 

Rotary support for overseas projects has also been continuing, with donations to organisations such as Impact, Shelterbox, School in a Bag and Kids 4 Kids. 

“We also support projects in Malawi and Haiti and have close links with other Rotary clubs in Prague, Germany (Gevelsberg and Karlstadt) and Terneuzen in the Netherlands.

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“We are looking forward, circumstances allowing, to meeting you all at future events including Santa’s Sleigh in Burgess Hill, Lindfield Food Festival, Haywards Heath Fashion Show and Light Up Hassocks 2021.”

Fighting disease is one of Rotary’s main causes, having spent the past 30+ years working on the global eradication of Polio.

Members already support efforts to promote proper hand washing techniques, teach people other ways to stay healthy, and supply training and vital medical equipment to health care providers.

Now they’re helping health authorities communicate lifesaving information about COVID-19 and donating protective gear and other supplies to clinics and hospitals that are under strain because of the pandemic. 

For more information or to get involved or to donate and help the work of Rotary, contact them through the individual club websites or Facebook pages.