A Dorset funeral group has raised more than £4,000 for two Rotary clubs in memory of its late chairman, Peter Douch.

Wimborne Rotary Club and the Rotary Club of Gros Islet in St Lucia have shared the amount raised by the company.

Peter, who died two years ago, was a keen Rotarian and was a member of the Wimborne Club and the club in St Lucia, the island where his wife is from.

Last year, Douch Family Funeral Directors – which includes seven branches in east Dorset – did a series of fundraisers.

These included a yomp up Scafell Pike and Mount Snowdon, quiz nights and sales of items including knitwear. Members of Wimborne Rotary Club received the cheque and said the money would go to local causes.

Its president Sue Young said:

“It is our 75th anniversary this year and Peter was a valued member of Wimborne Rotary for more than 30 years and we miss him greatly."

“We are thrilled to receive this cheque which will be put to good use helping local people facing hardship.”

Nick Douch, Peter’s son who now runs the family business, said:

“My father was a very keen Rotarian and would visit Rotary clubs wherever he went.  My mother is from St Lucia and he divided his time between there and Wimborne – and was active in both Rotary clubs.

The board of the Rotary Club of Gros Islet proudly receiving a certificate in recognition of a generous donation made by the Douch Family.

“The staff made the decision to make the two Rotary clubs beneficiaries of last year’s charitable fundraising. We are extremely pleased with the amount raised and I’d like to thank everyone who donated.”

Douch Family Funeral Directors has seven branches, in Wimborne, Ferndown, Parkstone, Blandford, Corfe Mullen, Swanage and Wareham.

The late Peter Douch

Top Photo: (l-r) David Meaden (Wimborne Rotary Club Secretary), Sue Young, Rotary Club President, Nick Douch, Brian Dryden, Rotary Club master-elect