It continues to be a challenging year for organisations trying to raise much-needed money for charity, but the Rotary Club of Roding has enjoyed success through online events.

Although the club has been unable to hold their usual meetings at the Queen Victoria in Theydon Bois on a Monday evening due to the coronavirus pandemic, members have been successfully meeting on Zoom like many other clubs.

This year’s club President Friddy Bishai has faced many difficult challenges trying to raise funds for good causes which have seen their means of support severely dented by the Covid-19 crisis.

While the usual methods of fundraising have been suspended, some has continued via Zoom with some very good results.

A quiz was held raising more than £850 for Voluntary Action Epping Forest which supports families and community groups in the area.

“Mary’s Meals” provides a meal for chronically hungry children in Africa every school day and the Roding club was able to make a donation so this could continue during these very unusual times.

Members of Roding, along with other Rotary clubs and organisations, have been helping the Salvation Army provide hot meals for the homeless in Ilford since the lockdown, a much-needed service for the local community.

The club has also tried to be inventive in ways to try and get back to some form of normality.

Members and friends who have a garden have been holding tea parties for six people with social distancing and these have proved a great success.

Guests were very generous in helping to raise more than £1,200 for the CAB, with some people meeting face to face for the first time.

The Rotary Club of Roding’s next Zoom event is this Saturday when 24 lots will go under the hammer in an auction of promises, starting at 7.30pm. Proceeds from the event will go to the British Red Cross Syrian Appeal and the Samaritans.

The items range from dinner for four people, cases of red and white wine, a visit to the Royal Academy with tea, pedicure and manicure, Waterford Crystal ships decanter, a bottle of Mumm champagne and a Christmas pudding and cake.

If you are interested in any of the Roding club’s fundraising events, have any ideas of your own or want to know more about what the club does, contact president Friddy Bishai on 07764 662001 or email friddybishai@hotmail.com