Ferndown | Posted on February 20th, 2026 | return to news

Ferndown Rotary hosts brand-new community awards night

Ferndown and Parley Rotary Club held its first ever Community Award Scheme on Wednesday 18 February.

A new approach to distributing funds and grants to local organisations culminated in Ferndown and Parley Rotary Club’s first ever Community Award Scheme night, held on Wednesday 18 February.

In 2025, the Rotary Club began the new procedure by inviting local charities, school or community groups currently working on project or with an equipment need to apply to the scheme. A panel from the club considered all applications and made a shortlist.

In February, shortlisted applicants were invited to a club meeting to make a brief presentation before grants were awarded to those chosen by club members.

The minimum grant was £250 and the maximum £2,500, and up to £15,000 worth of grants were available.

The Rotary Club’s Vice President Jenny Tolman, who organised the scheme, and President Keith Adams awarded the grants to recipients.

A total of six local charities were nominated and attended the dinner. These were:

Ashley’s Birthday Bank – to provide beds for families in poverty
George’s Rockstars – to fund music therapy for children in Bournemouth Hospital
Hampreston School – to purchase a magnetic whiteboard for teaching maths
Lewis-Manning Hospice Care – to support the health and wellbeing programme for local residents receiving palliative care
MS Centre – to cover maintenance costs for the charity’s minibuses
Plants and Mind – to contribute towards the construction costs for a new polytunnel.

President Keith Adams said: “What a great night. Nearly £12,000 raised at our various fundraising events was awarded to the charities.”

To find out more about the club, visit https://www.ferndownandparleyrotary.org.