WHEN the Rotary Club of Dartmoor Vale first volunteered to help marshal patients attending the vaccination centre at Sherborne House in Newton Abbot last January, they were delighted with the way people came forward to help – even before the centre opened.

Several of the volunteers from the Cancer Research UK Kids emporium charity shop in Courtenay Street, Newton Abbot, heard about the need for extra helpers and immediately contacted Dartmoor Vale asking if they could be of assistance.

Altogether they provided more than 1,000 hours of service, reflecting the Rotary motto of ‘Service Above Self’.

Rotarian Mike Beer said: ‘Needless to say, they were welcomed with open arms, especially as they were already experienced in dealing with the public through their work in the shop.’

President of Dartmoor Vale Rotary Club, Ian Wanless, handed over a cheque for £1,000 to the shop’s manager, Lorraine Kraft, who was accompanied by a number of her volunteers.

The Kids Emporium in Newton Abbot is part of the Cancer Research UK Charity, being one of only a few similar outlets in the Country.

The shop, which offers donated goods for sale, including toys, clothes and games, is aimed at children with an age range of between nought to early teenagers.

The money raised by the shop goes towards research into children’s cancers. The shop is always keen to receive donations.

The shop’s manager, Lorraine Kraft, said she was ‘blown away by such a generous donation’ and expressed her own thanks to the team of marvelous volunteers who assist her in the Kids Emporium.

President Ian said that he was delighted to be able to present this cheque to such a worthy recipient reflecting Rotary’s gratitude to Kids Emporium for the wonderful help they were able to provide, not only at the beginning when the shop was closed due to lockdown, but that they have still continued to volunteer at the vaccination centre right through the past 12 months even during the times when the shop was able to reopen.

If you would like to find out more about the Rotary Club of Dartmoor Vale, please contact:- [email protected] or google Dartmoor Vale Rotary Club and click on the “future programme” tab to see upcoming events.