NEARLY £15,000 was awarded to good causes in Melksham last week as the Rotary Club held their annual charity presentation evening to hear where the money goes.

Over 25 organisations in and around Melksham were presented with cheques, paid for by the proceeds from the Art House Cafe on Market Street.

President elect Sarah Hiscocks said: “We try to give out cheques twice a year so people have their money sooner rather than later. We try to have an event once a year to hear from the organisations about how the money has helped them, which is really quite nice.

“The Rotary Club tries to give as much as we can so that others can provide services to help individuals or groups in the area.”

Mrs Hiscocks added that any charitable organisation is eligible to apply for funding from the Rotary Club and believes it is such presentations that allow members to see where the money is really being spent.

“I think the Art House Cafe and the donations to groups helps both sides. I’ve worked out that we need 3,400 volunteering hours a year to man the cafe and it is a lot of time that people give up. But by us doing so, it is a two-way thing as we get to see the amazing work they can carry out with the funds,” Mrs Hiscocks added.

“Because we give our time for free, it means we can donate more to groups and we can see what people want to use the money for and we just want to help people who help others in the Melksham area.”

The Rotary Club is also hoping to recruit new volunteers to the cafe to ensure that it can continue to raise funds for local charities.

Mrs Hiscocks added two shifts are available for volunteers from Monday-Saturday 9.30am-12pm or 12-3.30pm.

For more information, visit the Art House Cafe or call 01225 702445.