For more than 12 years Rotary's Christmas Collection in the Market Square, with its giant Christmas tree and blaring Christmas music, has been part of Sidmouth's festive season. Rotary members have braved the cold, the rain, and even the snow to collect for many of our local charities and bring some Christmas cheer to the town.

Although Rotary are very disappointed that the current Covid-19 pandemic and the associated restrictions are likely to prevent their traditional collection taking place as planned on the 11th and 12th of December, they are determined that their chosen charity, the Sidmouth Food Bank, should not lose out as a result. An appeal was therefore launched within the club to raise funds for the Food Bank and to date over £900 has been received. Encouraged by this initial response, the club has set a goal of raising over £5,000 for this worthy cause and are inviting the community to join them in their efforts.

This Sidmouth Food Bank offers support to local families who have been identified by their doctor, the local council or a social worker as struggling to feed themselves adequately. The current pandemic has had a serious impact on the financial circumstances of many families here in the valley, which in turn has put significant pressure on the Food Bank's services, and currently they are supporting between 30 and 40 families who without this support would be struggling to feed themselves.

Whilst the Food Bank receives amazing support from the local community and businesses in the area in the form of food donations, they still need to raise around £150 every week to purchase fresh food and cover their overheads, including rent, insurance and out of pocket expenses.

If you the readers would like to assist Sidmouth Rotary in meeting its goal, and help the less fortunate in our local community this Christmas, you are invited to send cheques made out to "Rotary Club of Sidmouth" to this years President, John Summerside, 2 Abbey View, Sidmouth, EX10 9NG, or donate via our online giving page

virginmoneygiving.com/fund/sidmouthrotaryxmascollection