ROTARY in Northwich have been out in force this weekend collecting funds for the Red Cross DEC Ukraine Appeal. 

Starting on Friday, shifts of Rotarians from around Northwich have been on the streets to collect for humanitarian aid.

Nic Abbott, from Rotary in Northwich, has been organising the monetary collections. 

He said: “I received an email from Changing Lives in Cheshire last week, looking for someone to organise the street collection.

“They have been busy organising and shipping physical donations and someone needed to get the street collections going, so I stepped in to do that.

“Cheshire West and Cheshire were brilliant and issued an emergency licence straight away, I got a rota going, and we were out collecting on Friday and over the weekend.”

The collection raised an incredible £2,018 by Sunday evening.

Nic added: “It’s been an emotional time for everyone, and I have been shocked at the incredible generosity of our Northwich community.

Northwich Guardian: Nic AbbottNic Abbott

“Many people have just wanted to stop and talk a bit too, which is fine by me, I’m always happy to listen.

“People feel very angry about what has happened in Ukraine and there is a sense of disbelief too.

“They just want to do something to help.

“In all honesty, the best thing you can do right now is to donate money, as that can be spent where it is needed most.”

Rotary are going to be out again this coming weekend and some of the collectors carry contactless terminals, so a lack of cash is not always an issue.

All the money raised is being passed on to the Red Cross Disasters Emergency Committee – Ukraine Appeal.

If you would like to find out more about volunteering with Rotary and Rotaract, you can find details at rotaryinnorthwich.org.uk.