A MAJOR donation has been made to York Viking Rotary Club which will provide a much-needed boost to good causes in the community, writes Kimberley Smith.

The £10,000 windfall came from DE Ford Insurance Brokers and will enable the club to provide York Ambulance Service with new defibrillators to be placed around the city centre of York.

The donation from DE Ford, who have been working in collaboration with both Viking and Ainsty Rotary Clubs since October, aims to support charitable work particularly focusing on York-based projects.

Tony Botting and treasurer Cliff Gladwin were presented the cheque by Chris Greenall, at Ford’s Offices.

Chris Greenall, managing director of DE Ford who presented the cheque, said: “We are delighted we can make a contribution that will impact the lives of so many in the York area.”

The first venture will be the purchase of four defibrillators for the use by the NHS York Ambulance service which will be positioned in key locations around the city centre to ensure maximum availability and benefit when needed.

Rotarian Ron Gatenby said: “We are very grateful for the donation, and being able to help the community.”

He said the defibrillators, costing £1000 each, would help to save lives by ensuring that vital medical equipment was available ‘around the corner’ from people who might need it.

Viking president Tony Botting expressed his gratitude for the cheque, which he said would greatly help the community work carried out by the club throughout the York area.

York Vikings Rotary are working on supporting a wide range of local community-based projects from and including support of school initiatives through to Age UK.