SKIPTON Craven Rotary Club made good use of its ‘Gin and Tonic brigade’ and teamed up with Morrison’s Supermarket and its innovative recycling scheme to help the town’s food bank.

Last year, the club signed up to the supermarket’s new project to encourage shoppers to recycle more plastic bottle and cans by offering reward points to spend in store.

In August, last year, the club got itself a Morrisons More Card, in the name of Mr SC Rotary, and its members started depositing spent tonic bottles by the dozen, in addition to handing in discarded plastic bottles picked up when out and about in the town.

There were enough points before Christmas to pay for the chocolates handed out by Santa on the club sleigh run, and also to pay for extras at the ‘Great Get Together’ lunch held in December.

More points have accumulated since the start of the new year with both Rotarians and friends joining in, and on Valentine’s Day, club members were on hand to help Phillipa Sage, of Skipton Food Bank, fill three trollies with essential items to distribute to those in need.

Brian Stott, rotary assistant district governor elect, said not only had the recycling efforts helped three different good causes, it had also resulted in the clearing up of discarded rubbish.

“The ‘G and T’ thing was a bit of a laugh as Rotarians have been collecting recyclable containers from friends and neighbours and even been on clean up patrol while dog walking in Aireville park, so the Morrison’s scheme is really serving it’s purpose in not only promoting recycling but helping make Skipton a cleaner place.

“ We are delighted to have helped the food bank and will continue collecting and depositing with a view to helping other local good causes in the future.”

A spokesman for Skipton Food Bank said: “We are extremely grateful to the Rotary Club of Skipton Craven, and those that need to use our services will benefit greatly from their kind generosity.”