OVER the past year Callington Rotary Club has handed out £12,000 in donations.

Cheques have been given to ShelterBox, Help for Heroes, Rotary Charity Foundation, Children's Hospice South West, Royal National Institute for Deaf People and the GO GO Trust, an orphanage for children in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, plus some smaller donations.

At the annual president's night, where it was announced that Nick Ford from St Mellion would take over the reins of lead Rotarian from David Buchanan on July 1, members talked about the club's achievements.

Members have continued to play a leading role in Callington town carnival, and through its youth committee has greatly increased Rotary involvement in local schools with the annual national youth speaks competition, young writer and young citizen competitions and the award of a fully-funded attendance at the Rotary youth leadership award programme.

Through its links with Caradon Social Club for the Disabled, the club has increased the support, aid and involvement it has with the disabled.

Current president David Buchanan showed another string to his bow at the president's night when he took to the stage and played keyboard during a surprise rock performance.