FUNDRAISERS met in person for the first time at a charity event last week – despite being part of the same club for more than a year.
Lesley Taylor and Christine Wilkinson, members of Barnard Castle Rotary’s e-satellite group, took the early shift on the charity stall at Barnard Castle’s Wednesday charter market, selling all manner of home-made items including bug hotels, crocheted animals, plants and etchings.
Due to Covid restrictions, members of the satellite group of Rotary, which has 14 members, have been meeting fortnightly via the Zoom online platform and the market fundraiser was the first time the pair had met face to face.
Ms Wilkinson, who relocated to Barney two weeks before lockdown was imposed, said: “Lesley’s a lot taller than I thought and it’s great to finally meet her in person.”
Despite the online meetings, the group has been busy during lockdown, having organised a tech-drive to aid local schools operating remote-learning. The initiative resulted in 51 old laptops and 14 iPads and tablets being donated for use by youngsters across the town.
Ms Taylor said: “We’re still accepting old laptops and tablets and even if there is a little problem, we get them looked at and if possible repaired.
“We’re also looking into tree planting in the area, possibly as a remembrance for what has happened over the last 18 months.”
For more information on the Rotary e-satellite group or to donate old tech email [email protected].
