MEMBERS of Tameside Rotary Club are celebrating after raising more than £16,000 for local charities with fundraising efforts.
The club received record footfall at its 10th Anniversary Beer Festival at Stalybridge’s Civic Hall in late November.
That meant more than £8,000 was raised, with Cancer Research UK and Ashton’s Smallshaw and Hurst Community Pantry each receiving £2,500.00 as president Mohammed Karim’s main charities.
That handout will have a big effect on the community pantry as it attempts to extend its food storage area.
Mohammed said of the event, which was re-scheduled following the death of Queen Elizabeth II: “Having arranged a late November date for the beer festival, it was actually quite a special change to have Tameside Community Voices singing Christmas songs.
“Of course, the best news of all is that we raised over £8000.00 for charity and local organisations!”
Tameside Rotarian John Moon, who is the main beer festival organiser along with Tameside’s Civic Mayor, Cllr Mike Glover, added: “We would like to thank everyone who came along to support us, the businesses, the entertainers and most of all the drinkers!
“We serve a variety of drinks and food, the event is for all members of the community and we invite you all again in September!”
Tameside Rotary’s annual Santa sleigh runs also raised more than £8,000, which gives the volunteers that braved freezing conditions a warm feeling.
Sleigh co-ordinator and President Elect Steve Knowles said: “The event takes several months to organise and it’s very much a team effort, from planning to volunteer collectors.
“All elements came together perfectly this year resulting in the huge success that we had.”
*ANY local group or charity looking to apply for money to help with a particular project or fund an item of equipment is asked to visit the Tameside Rotary website at www.tamesiderotaryclub.com, where you will find the link to a straightforward application form.