Exmouth Rotary celebrates community champions

At its annual president's dinner at The Imperial Hotel on Saturday (24 June), Exmouth Rotary Club made its annual Rotary Citizen of the Year award and also made presentations to others from the Exmouth community with whom it has collaborated during the past year.

The Rotary Citizen of the Year award went to Richard Taylor from the Brixington Blues Youth Football Club.

In his nomination for the award, Richard was described thus: "Richard is retiring from his position as chairman with the club after a staggering 34 years of involvement. Richard has held various roles from coach to treasurer and latterly chairman.

"Most football volunteers finish once their child's youth career has finished but Richard dedicated himself far beyond his children's involvement. Grassroots football in Exmouth owes a great deal to Richard and he is fully deserving of this award."

Also recognised for their marvellous work in the community were Sue Owens-Evans and Shirley Newcombe from the Exmouth Food Bank.

The Rotary Club was delighted to present to them a cheque for £1,000 to help with their activities. Much of the money raised for this and other good causes (for example the recent terrible earthquakes in Turkey and Syria) was gathered from the generous Exmouth public at Tesco.

None of this would have been possible without the active support of Lisa O'Shaughnessy, the Tesco Community Champion whose invaluable contribution was also recognised at the dinner.