NEARLY £1,700 was donated to the Tavistock Rotary Club during the couple of weeks before Christmas, when the club's Santamobile toured the streets collecting for charity.

Club president John Moreton expressed thanks to the public for their generous support, as well as to his Rotarians for turning out on the many nights during atrocious weather.

He said: 'This is not the only activity Rotary is involved with. Rotary clubs do so much more than collect money for charity. We are involved with youth activities, such as Youthspeaks and the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. We also work with organisations such as Age Concern and the Alzheimer's Society and our members regularly help at the Tavistock Memory Café — a drop in centre for those living with dementia and their carers.

'Rotarians regularly help at the weekly work club, held at Tavistock Library, giving advice with writing CVs as well as applying for jobs and interviews.'

With the public's support, the club has contributed its target amount towards Rotary's 'End Polio Now' campaign, working with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to help meet the $200-million challenge.

Rotary has now hit the $200-million figure and the foundation has added a further $255-million for polio eradication. The number of polio cases worldwide has dropped 99% since Rotary International became involved with the eradication initiative in 1987.

Mr Moreton said: 'I think many people are surprised by what Rotary actually does. There is a general perception that it is a club for older gentlemen and which meets for dinner. We do meet once a week, it's when we plan our next challenge. Meetings are always great fun and fulfilling because we are all friends. Our first lady member was enrolled in 2003 and women now form a good percentage of our membership.'

To find out more about Tavistock Rotary Club, visit http://www.tavistockrotary.org.uk">www.tavistockrotary.org.uk