MARY Parker took over from Mick Baines as president of the Rotary Club of Keighley during an online meeting of the group.

Although the meeting was on Zoom, Mick was able to hand over the presidential chain while maintaining social distance.

Club spokesman Chris Issott said Covid-19 regulations had changed the way the club was operating, but it was responding to the challenges.

Chris said: “We have moved our weekly meetings to an online world and are still managing to attract speakers.

“We were pleased to welcome Pat Dyminski from the Heamatology and Oncology Day Unit (HODU) at Airedale Hospital.

“We were surprised to learn that the HODU relies upon voluntary donations for the wonderful services that they provide, and really intrigued to hear about their mobile unit service, which is unique to northern England.”

Mary has chosen HODU as her charity of the year, with the goal of raising money for new day-chairs.

Rotary members have decided to donate to charity the money they would normally have spent on refreshments at in-person meetings.

Recipients have included the Salvation Army Food Bank, the SMT Barakah Community Kitchen, Project 6, Manorlands e Keighley Women’s Refuge.

Chris added: “These organisations are demonstrating the Rotary principles of being #peopleofaction.

“We will continue to evolve and adapt to our circumstances, and are examining ways that we can fundraise or hold our traditional events within the existing guidelines.”