Over the last couple of weeks we have all endured the adverse weather that has made oil tank levels fall as fast as the mercury in our barometers.

That said, we will all survive, albeit having spent a little more money than usual and been confined to base for a few days.

A mere inconvenience, particularly when we consider many around the world who genuinely struggle to get from one day to the next, either because that’s how it is in their spot on the globe or because of some natural disaster.

While we may have cold extremities from time to time Rotarians all have continuously warm hearts that keep delivering the goods to those in need both locally and further afield.

Devizes Rotary Club achieved the following in 2010: fundraising to help those in Haiti and Pakistan cope with the aftermath of disaster and raising money to hopefully rid the world of polio once and for all. We have also been able, through quiz walks, to send donations to the Jana Jyoti school in Nepal. Not to mention raising money for charities at a golf day held at North Wilts Golf Club.

More locally we have helped a needy family go on holiday, taken a handful of wonderful children to Longleat as well as assisting other charities such as Age UK, the British Heart Foundation and Rowdeford Trust.

Then there were the events for young people such as Youth Speaks, Young Citizen and Young Photographer. It’s impossible to mention everything the club has done this year but our final job will be to distribute Christmas hampers to those in need, having raised the money to do so. Not bad for a small club.

Ray Josey, Devizes Rotary Club.