The Rotary Club of Penryn held its annual awards evening recently when the results of its year’s fundraising were distributed to several worthy causes.

The presentation evening was held at the Falmouth and Penryn Sea Cadet Unit in Commercial Road, where, following a recital by members of Penryn College Music Group, representatives of the chosen charities were presented with cheques by MP Sarah Newton and Penryn's mayor Shelley Peters.

Almost half the £9,000 distributed came from the "Mile of 5p’s" organised last summer by club president Ann Congdon and her daughter Nicola, who were helped by Penryn Primary and Penryn College pupils. The club’s other fundraising included the 10K road race held each spring around the Enys estate.

Nicola Congdon, who runs the charity Project Primrose, was one of those to receive a donation which will go to an orphanage for deprived of children in a township in South Africa.

Representatives from Guide Dogs for the Blind also attended with two dogs, along with people representing other animal welfare groups, who received a share of the money. There was also a cheque for a contingent from Cornwall Search and Rescue, for the Rotary charity and for several other local groups supporting both the old and young.

President Ann said: “We are only a small club, but I am very proud and grateful for all the hard work over the last year, finishing with such a wonderful evening.

"We like to try and spread our efforts across a wide range of mainly local causes, and it’s really gratifying to hear from the groups about how our efforts will help with their work.”

The Rotary Club of Penryn is always looking for active people who would like to help in the local and international community. Anyone interested should go to ribi.org.