9 August 2012 Iain McDonald - Credit Union

Rotary learns about money matters

An initiative that aims to help people avoid bad debt and encourage saving was explained to members of the Bridge of Allan & Dunblane Rotary club at their meeting at the Westlands Hotel, Dunblane on Thursday evening.

Guest speaker Iain McDonald of Scotcentral Credit Union Limited (SCUL) explained how the council-supported scheme - which is now 10 years old - is helping an increasing number of people in the area become more aware about their personal finances and the options available should they need to borrow money.

"As well as encouraging people to save, we are trying to get them to understand how they can obtain credit at competitive rates," he said. "For example if someone borrowed £400 for 30 days from SCUL, they would pay £4 interest, compared with one of the companies that advertises widely on television that would charge £125.48."

Mr McDonald said that, as part of the council move, new premises had been made available for the staff of mainly volunteers in the city's high street. "It will be more customer-friendly with private rooms so that customers get a more personal service."

* Rotary club members Graham Russell and Tony Ford have raised almost £1,000 for Parkinson's , when they took part in a sponsored bike ride 'Pedal for Parkinson's  on Sunday 5 August. The pair attempted the 60-mile and 20-mile ride respectively, which began and ended at the King's Park in . Graham said the event, which was held for the second year, had attracted around 150 entries and had already raised £7,000 towards the charity's £10,000 target.

Entries were oversubscribed for the second annual Judy Murray junior mini tennis tournament that was being held on Sunday 12 August at the Dunblane sports club. The event jointly organised by the Rotary club and the sports club was open to children aged between five and 10 years, who had no previous tournament experience. Judy Murray herself would be attending and handing out the prizes.