What we do

The Club's Charitable Activities

Our club is involved in an amazing range of initiatives and activities on a regular and ongoing basis. Many are charitable, some sporting and some social. The club raises money through these activities and makes charitable donations of between £20-30,000 every year. We also get involved 'hands-on' but offering support to other organisations and some of these activities are listed below.

Crathes Vintage Car & Motorcycle Rally

Charity Golf Challenge

Young Musician Competition

Young Speechmaker

Working with around 6 local primary schools, the club encourages pupils in public presentation skills. For many of the participants this is the first time that they have spoken in public.

Shoebox Appeal

Shelterbox

Founded by the Rotary Club of Helston in Devon, Shelterbox is a modular survival kit containing a tent, cooking utensils, tools and general survival equipment. Each box can support 10 people.

Our club funds 3-4 of these boxes per year.

RYLA - Rotary Young Leadership Awards

Rotary clubs from the north of Scotland all sponsor secondary school pupils to attend this out-door course. Applicants are interviewed, selected and then sent on the one week course. On their return, they give a short presentation on their experiences.

Banchory Academy Dux Awards

Dictionaries for Life
This initiative provides a dictionary for every 6th year primary school child in the local catchment area and includes Banchory, Hill of Banchory, Crathes, Torphins, Strachan and Woodlands of Durris schools.

International Evening
Once a year we invite foreign students and young professionals to attend a dinner. It is an opportunity for them to meet local Rotarians.

Senior Citizens Concert
Every two years the club organises a concert for the local Senior Citizens as well as the entertainment, there are teas and snacks at the interval.

Sponsoring young pupils in Chennai, India
As the result of the Indian charity work of local golf professional Muriel Thomson of Portlethen Golf Club, our club has "adopted" two young boys in a school in Chennai in India. We pay for school fees and will continue to do so throughout their primary education.

Braemar Royal Highland Gathering
The club represents Rotary  and welcomes Rotarians from around the world to this traditional and evocative event. Each guest is presented with a personalised certificate of attendance and has their photograph taken.

Banchory Development Initiative (BDI)
We currently have a representative on the above committee. The job is to reflect the views of Rotary and also to relay any feedback on the various planning issues. As Rotarians from many walks of life we are able to provide feedback and views of the community

Rotary Foundation
Our own international charity is the world's largest private, independent charity and has been working on the eradication of Polio (see Polio Plus). Additionally the Foundation funds charity and relief work globally, supports international student and cultural exchanges. Annual spend is over US$50 million

Banchory Show

Deeside Steam and Vintage Rally
Held in August, this large event runs over a weekend. Our members have provided gate-keeping services for the event.