'Our local people are amazing' - Community raises record amount for Leigh Rotary club

Players from Leigh Centurions, Leigh RUFC and RLFC all chipped in with volunteers from the community to help the Rotary Club raise vital funds for a a plethora of local charities and good causes.

While the Rotary Club raises money and organises projects all year round, their Christmas collection is often their biggest fundraiser as the festive period encourages more people to support their cause and give to the less fortunate.

As volunteers helped to collect cash donations this Christmas, Santa also travelled around Leigh and Lowton to spread Christmas spirit and asked shoppers for donations at local supermarkets.

All of this community effort helped the Rotary Club to raise an "absolute record" of £16,035 over the festive period.

This money will now be distributed to help local causes such such as The Bridge Community Kitchen, Atherton and Leigh Foodbank, Willow Project, Abbey Fields, Derian House and many more.

Santa spread Christmas joy to kids of all ages in Leigh and Lowton this year

Leigh Rotary Club's secretary Brian Mills said: "It's been absolutely amazing to see everyone coming out to see Santa and saying wonderful, positive things to us in person and online.

"It's been staggering to see so many people helping us and supporting the collection.

"Some have even come with bags full of coins to donate - our local people are amazing."

In addition to raising money for local causes, Leigh Rotary Club also joins forces with other branches to fund overseas works such as a clean water project in Ghana and helping to rid the world of diseases like Polio through medical advances.

Grateful for the help from the people of Leigh this year, Brian added: "A lot of people responded to our Christmas appeal and we really couldn't do it without them."