Local Rotary club celebrates great year

INSPIRED: Debra Bell (left), Carol and Mike Bannister, Kay Clarke, and Don and Sue Gunn attended the Rotary International Convention in Sydney. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

A record year has seen more than $119,000 dished out to the Rotorua community, thanks to a group of 36 inspired Rotarians.

Members of the Rotary Club of Rotorua Sunrise have turned their passion into dollars for the community with more than $119,000 handed out in the 2014-15 financial year.

Immediate past president Mike Bannister said members had been highly engaged in club fundraising activities and were inspired to translate their passions into relevant social causes to change lives in local and international communities.

He said they enjoyed working on the various projects, from the Lakeside Concert collection for Plunket, to selling raffle tickets for St Chad's.

More than $91,000 was given to 19 Rotorua community groups, while the youth of Rotorua received $13,512.

Another successful fundraiser was the Rotary Swimarathon with all proceeds going to the 'End Polio Now Fund'.

The Rotorua Swimming Club and local swimmers raised $4654 through the event in February, with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation giving $2 for every dollar raised.

Event organiser James Billing said the total came to a whopping $13,962 - "not bad for a few hours in the pool".