Prompted by the devastating scenes of destruction in Nepal after flash flooding, Rotary members organised a street collection in Swanage town centre in Dorset, and were overwhelmed by the generosity of locals and visitors.
Over just two Saturdays on the 28th August and 5th September 2026, Swanage and Purbeck Rotary received nearly £3,000 in donations.
Lots of Rotarians were out in Swanage collecting donations to help people in Nepal, even a family dog!
Your generosity has been truly amazing!”
The amount was topped up by Rotary to a total of £3,000 and has been sent to Shelterbox which provides those affected by natural disasters the basics to survive the aftermath.
Swanage and Purbeck Rotary member Maggie Hardy, who organised the street collection with fellow Rotarian Jane McSharry said:
“Come rain or shine, members of Swanage and Purbeck Rotary were out in the community collecting donations for Nepal. We were truly delighted and frankly overwhelmed by the incredible generosity and support we received.
“We would like to say an enormous thank you to the wonderful Swanage community for helping us raise almost £3,000.
“This is a fantastic result and one that will make a real difference. Every penny raised will be sent to Shelterbox, a Rotary-linked organisation that is already on the ground providing vital support to the many people sadly affected by this devastating situation.
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who stopped to donate, offered words of encouragement, or simply showed their support. We’re also grateful for the familiar faces that have up their time to volunteer their time, as well as some new ones too.
“Thank you, Swanage, your generosity has been truly amazing!”
There were collections outside Budgens…
…And the Co-op
Local good causes and international charities
This amount was in addition to the £1,334 raised by a Rotary street collection on Saturday 4th July 2026 for the victims of the earthquake in Venezuela.
Swanage and Purbeck Rotary also organised a well attended summer fete on Thursday 6th August 2026, which raised a total of £5,054.
The money will be distributed between local good causes and international charities like End Polio Now. In addition to the core funds, lots of local organisations were also able to fundraise at the event themselves.
But the fundraising is never ending for the Rotary members and they’ve already booked in a Soup and Sweet fundraiser on World Polio Day on Saturday 24th October 2026 at the Catholic church hall in Rempstone Road, Swanage.
A separate street collection in July 2026 raised more than a £1,000 for those affected by the Venezuela earthquake
The Swanage and Purbeck Rotary summer fete was a great day and more then £5,000 will be donated to local good causes and international charities
Further information
- More about Swanage and Purbeck Rotary events
- What is Shelterbox?
