Schools across North Somerset will receive donations of £1,000 from the estate of Portishead Rotarian, Dennis Withers, who passed away in 2019.

With Dennis’ family's blessing, the money has been left to the Rotary Club to support pupils who have suffered under the strains of the Covid pandemic, as well as the Marie Curie charity.

He spent years raising funds for the Marie Curie charity to thank its staff for the care they provided for his late wife, Hilda.

North Somerset Times: Dennis Withers helped create the Portishead Rotary Club in the late 70s.Dennis Withers helped create the Portishead Rotary Club in the late 70s. (Image: supplied)

Mr Withers' daughter, Sarah Sparey told the Times that he would be pleased to see the funds used for a good cause.

She said: "My father would be so pleased that the bequest will make a real difference to those children impacted by Covid and the lockdowns."

Portishead Primary, St Peters, St Joseph’s, High Down, St Mary’s Portbury, Mary Elton Clevedon, St Nicholas Chantry, Trinity Anglican Methodist, Crockerne, Tickenham Primary, St Katherine’s High, Ham Green and Gordano High will all receive a donation.

Each school regularly takes part in the rotary club's swimathon other fundraising competitions.

Dennis Withers helped found the Portishead Rotary Club in 1979 and remained a member until his death in 2019.