Wirral library staff awarded for fundraising (From Wirral Globe)

Wirral library staff awarded for fundraising

9:36am Thursday 30th August 2012 in News

STAFF at a Wirral library have received a special award in recognition of their fundraising activities.

Bebington Central Library staff were handed a Community Service Award by Bebington Rotary Club after raising over £5,000 from the library visitors since 1999.

Library visitors are encouraged to donate any obsolete currencies that they have collected from countries that have joined the Euro, which can still be exchanged for Euro’s in their country of origin.

The award was presented to libraries staff by Mike Ashton, President of Bebington Rotary Club.

Also in attendance were Harry Parsonage, the Rotary club member who founded the project, Tony Hotchkiss, Bebington Rotary Club Chairman of Foundation and International Services, councillor Chris Meaden and representatives of Wirral Council’s library service.

Mike Ashton said: “This award is given in recognition of service because that is what the Rotary Club is all about, serving others.

"We are dedicated to raising money locally which can then work on a local and national level. Bebington Library staff have had a long running association with the Rotary Club, and their commitment has seen charities like Claire House, Rock of Joy and St John’s Hospice benefit hugely.”

Cllr Chris Meaden, cabinet member for culture, tourism and leisure, added: “This excellent scheme has produced some solid results for the local community, as well as at a national level.

"We hope to continue this valuable partnership, which is already in its thirteenth year, for a long time to come.”

Tony Hotchkiss, the organiser of the ceremony, said: “Over the years we have received all manner of coins, some of which I had never seen before.

"We got an American solid silver dollar from the 19th Century, as well as some sovereigns. I also became quite a fixture at the scrapyard, with all the copper I was taking down to sell!”