Rotary Club volunteers saluted ahead of District 1285 Meal Pack event

A scene from last year's Rotary Club Meal Pack

Volunteer members of Oldham and Saddleworth Rotary Clubs have been hailed for their efforts ensuring a massive effort to pack thousands of meals for hungry people across the globe has exceeded its target.

They are among 44 Rotary Clubs across the North-West – known as District 1285 – which initially set out to raise £12,000 to pack 50,000 meals.

Now, after the fund reached £13,000, an army of 300 volunteers will pack 55,000, which means 330,000 children will be fed.

Oldham and Saddleworth members are teaming up with the Rotary Club of Bolton Lever and the charity Rise Against Hunger to carry out the District 1285 Meal Pack, which takes place at Sharples School in Bolton on Saturday (April 14).

The response has been so outstanding, no further volunteers are needed on the day.

The Bolton event is also being supported by other volunteers in the south of District 1285 at clubs including Stockport, Stockport Lamplighter, Bramhall and Woodford and Poynton, who are all chipping in to carry out a satellite meal pack hosted by the Wilmslow club in Cheshire.

Bolton Lever club president Dr Ravi Mene praised the efforts of his fellow Oldham and Saddleworth Rotarians.

He said: “It really is heart-warming that the plight of hungry people across the world has resulted in this response, our praise and gratitude goes out to everyone who is helping.”

Many small businesses have also made contributions, he said.

The Rise Against Hunger meal packing events are volunteer-based programmes putting together highly nutritious dehydrated meals, which comprise of rice, soya, vegetables and 23 essential vitamins and minerals.