A long-running South Cumbrian branch of an international community-focused organization has decided that it will close this year.

A statement from Kendal South Westmorland Rotary Club said: 

"Due to Covid restrictions, the Club did not meet for around 12 months, restarting initially with Zoom videoconferences, then in August 2021 with normal meetings.

"Due to low attendances, the decision was reluctantly taken in January 2022 to close the Club at the end of the 2021/22 Rotary Year."

The closure marks the end of an era for the Club's active fundraising programme, which between 1985 to the present day has raised over £300,000 for local and national charities, such as the Rotary Foundation Polio Plus programme and the Rotary Ukraine Disaster Fund, as well as local organisations such as Growing Well, Westmorland MENCAP, Sight Advice South Lakes, Cumbria Community Foundation, North West Air Ambulance, Kendal Mountain Rescue, and many others.

Disasters around the world have been supported by the provision of funding by the Club to the Aquabox and Shelterbox organisations.

In recent years, KSW Rotary has supported two Rotary youth programmes aimed at improving the personal development and leadership potential of 14 - 16 year olds (the Rotary Youth Programme of Enrichment/RYPEN) and 16 - 17 year olds (the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards/RYLA) by providing funding for local students to attend.

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In 2021/22, the Club were actively involved in arranging the KSW Rotary Golf Day at Kirkby Lonsdale Golf Club and leading the organisation of stewards at the Westmorland County Show each year in September.

In 2021, the event was held for the first time over two days, creating stewarding issues, but these were overcome with the help of "Friends of Rotary" and volunteers from other Rotary clubs.

The Club also provided support to Kendal Rotary Club at the annual Technology Tournament, and helped with the organisation of the annual Swimathon at Kendal Leisure Centre.

The Club statement said: "The Rotary organisation's efforts to raise funds for local and national charities will continue in Kendal by the efforts of the members of Kendal Rotary Club. "

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