A ROTARY club has welcomed a new president and donated thousands of pounds to help causes in the Harwich area.

The Rotary Club of Harwich and Dovercourt announced it has donated £2,000 to the Salvation Army this year.

It has also donated £500 following the recent break-ins at Long Meadow Community Centre where food and equipment was stolen.

The break-ins left community volunteering group Harwich Helps in danger of being unable to provide a food service where they regularly give between 35 and 40 meals to vulnerable people.

Thanks to the help of the club, meals can be provided once again this month.

The update was announced following a Zoom meeting in which president Tony Burrows handed over the president’s chain to Andy Fern.

Norman Cory, from the club, said: “Andy has already been extremely busy over the past 12 months being at the forefront of organising the Mayflower 400 Half Marathon for April of this year.

“As you are aware we were forced to cancel it with just two weeks to go.

“But I am pleased to confirm that it has been rearranged for April 12, 2021.”

The highly anticipated half marathon, which was set to make a return after a 29 year break, was postponed due to growing coronavirus concerns.