Rotary International gives out £35,000 in emergency grants to help hospices such as St Gemma’s, Martin House and Wheatfield’s

The global humanitarian charity has given out £35,000 in emergency grants in the last fortnight, to meet the immediate needs of these crucial organisations during the coronavirus epidemic.

The Rotary Club of Roundhay added to the crisis cash by donating £1,000 as immediate relief to each of the three hospices: St Gemma’s, Wheatfield’s and Martin House, on top of the £1,000 per year the club routinely provides.

The Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire districts have also appointed Nigel Arthurs as a co-ordinator to help more than 100 local rotary clubs use their skills and resources most effectively.

Mr Arthurs said: “We’re concerned and working hard to keep these vital institutions going and we don’t want to lose the immense amounts of work and expertise that has been built up over years, because of our immediate situation.”

St Gemma’s Hospice senior fundraiser Anna Jones, said: “During more than 40 years of caring we have been fortunate to receive the support of many Rotary Clubs in Leeds and the surrounding areas, with recent donations covering the costs to care for an individual patient who is referred to our services.

“We rely on donations from our wonderful Rotarians – we simply couldn’t do it without you.”

Daisy Mankee, regional fundraiser for Martin House, added: “Our relationship with rotary clubs goes back many years. Since the national lockdown, Rotary clubs in our region have rallied to support us and have donated more than £8,000 in emergency funds, which will make a real difference to Martin House, in supporting babies, children and young people with

life-limiting conditions.”

The fund has also helped out the Wakefield Hospice, MacMillan Nurses and the Prince of Wales Hospice, Pontefract.