GENEROUS fundraising efforts by Bexhill Rotary Club have delivered a significant boost to a range of local charities over recent months.
The club raised £4,500 at its Autumn Lunch event on October 5, 2025 – exceeding its original £3,000 target. Three health support charities each received £1,500 from the proceeds: Macmillan Cancer Support (South East), St Michael’s Hospice and Sara Lee Trust.
John Cooper, project manager for the event, said: “Members had selected three worthy health support charities as beneficiaries and were delighted with the final total raised.”
Rotarians have also been out in the community presenting further donations. A special visit was made to The Pit Stop Youth Trust in Bexhill, where a £250 cheque was handed to Lee Dunn in recognition of the charity’s work supporting young people over the past 14 years.
The trust provides a safe and welcoming space for local youth, offering practical sessions in engineering, mechanics and electronics. With eight regular volunteers, up to 20 young people attend club nights to learn new skills and build confidence. Mr Dunn said the Rotary’s contribution would make “a real difference” to ongoing and future projects.
Meanwhile, £1,000 from last year’s Santa’s Sleigh appeal was presented to Pett Level Independent Lifeboat. The volunteer service, which supports lifeboat crews at Rye and Hastings and works alongside the RNLI, is raising more than £200,000 for a new, larger vessel and boathouse extension. The Rotary’s donation will go directly towards the cost of the new boat, helping to strengthen lifesaving cover along the Rye Bay coastline.
