Rotary clubs on the northern beaches have rallied to support both frontline workers and local businesses, donating a number of restaurant vouchers to COVID testing staff.

Balgowlah, Dee Why, Warrinagh and Upper Northern Beaches Rotary Clubs received funding from the National Australia Day Council and planned to use it to host a fair for locals.

However, with the COVID-19 cases in the area in late December, the clubs decided the grant money would be better spent giving back to the community and those who have helped keep them safe for the past year.

They purchased a number of vouchers from restaurants on the northern beaches to support their recovery, which would be given to first responders, such as COVID testing staff and Mona Vale Hospital staff.

“We wanted to say how much we appreciate the work these specific groups have done,” Balgowlah Rotary Club President Lindy Myers said. 

“We also wanted to support our local business restaurant trade which has suffered due to lockdowns.”

Lindy said the past year has had an enormous impact on the Rotary Clubs, with meetings moving online, fundraising proving more challenging as well as personal challenges faced by members who had COVID-19 or had limited access to loved ones through isolation.

On behalf of the three Rotary Clubs I would like to say a mammoth thank you to all of the frontline COVID-19 staff in all areas, in particular on the Northern Beaches, whether they have been doing tests, checking results or tracing where people with the virus have been,” she said.

Acting Nurse Manager for Operations Maria Manna said the generous donation had been well received by the team.

“On behalf of the whole of our COVID-19 response team, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to the Rotary Clubs of Balgowlah, Dee Why and Warringah and Upper Northern Beaches for thinking of us and donating these vouchers,” Maria said.

“The great thing about this donation is we can enjoy a meal and support local businesses at the same time, because we’re all in this together."