Every year Dukinfield and Stalybridge Rotary Club runs a ‘Dragons Den’ so local charities can apply for Rotary funding for a project. 2020 was no exception. Nine applications from local charities had been received just before the Coronavirus lockdown came into force.

As the usual Den event could not be held the Club council used WhatsApp to discuss how to distribute the £2000 total fund and then Club members voted on their proposals.

Donations were made to the nine applicants:
• Holy Trinity and Christ Church, £200 for Youth Club equipment
• Youth Adventure Tameside, £200 for canoe rescue throw lines
• Noah’s ART, £300 for new rabbit hutches
• Youcan Youth and Community Group, £200 for top-soil and gardening equipment
• 7th Stalybridge Scouts, £200 to improve the Scout Hut surroundings
• St Pauls C of E PTA, £300 for play equipment and playground repairs
• Friends of Gorse Hall, £200 for volunteer materials costs
• 2nd Stalybridge Scouts, £200 for kitchen improvements
• Carrbrook Community Hub, £200 for kitchen equipment

Judi Kelly, Community Chair and President Elect of the club commented:
“We felt it was essential to carry on with our Dragons Den in a virtual way so that we could get our Rotary funds to local charities quickly.

During this emergency our club members are also supporting the community by working in partnership with Action Together* or volunteering for the new NHS Responder role**.”
*Action Together offers a range of support to strengthen communities in Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside https://www.actiontogether.org.uk/
**NHS Volunteer Responder - join the NHS’s trusted list of volunteers by visiting goodsamapp.org/NHS