Charities Meeting

The weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Kirkcaldy was held on 4 August 2015 at the Dean Park Hotel. President John Kilgour welcomed 25 members of the Club and 5 guests, namely Sheila Mcallum from Age Concern; Ellen McCance from Fife Society for the Blind; Jane Maskelyne from Alzheimer Kirkcaldy; Linda Pearse from YMCA, Kirkcaldy; and Tu Edwards from Maggies Fife.

President John advised that the Club has donated over £17,000 to charities this year. He called on each of the above-named to accept donations from the Club on behalf of the charities they represent.

Tu Edwards thanked the Club on behalf of Maggies and read a very moving and inspiring letter received from the daughter of a patient at Maggies which highlighted the care and professionalism of the staff.

Linda Pearse from the YMCA thanked the Club for the donations and for its part in the Kids Christmas Parties and advised that YMCA Kirkcaldy has 32 volunteer supporters.

Jane Maskelyne from Alzheimers thanked the Club for the donation which helps support and run a variety of free groups which are run at their Resource Centre in Kirkcaldy. They have a baking social event which gives the people who attend a sense of belonging and a chance to chat together.

Ellen McCance from the Fife Society for the Blind expressed her thanks for her invitation today and advised that the Society is very grateful for our continuing support over the years. They now have a Sight Support Team, a Technology Team which helps access and use of all the latest technology and work with Nairn Optician which is Scotland’s first charity optician.

Sheila Mcallum from Age Concern gave thanks for the valued donations towards the work they do behalf of the Senior Citizens in the area. It remains highly important that our Senior Citizens remain as active as possible and feel involved in the community.

Rod Scott, past Secretary of the Club, received a donation for Shelter Box. We support 4 boxes – 2 from the Club and 2 from the Interact Club of St Andrews High School. The boxes are sent to areas where there have been disasters.

Lastly, Past President Ian Gow received donations on behalf of Kinghorn Singers and Cancer Research.

The meeting was closed with the Club being advised that the next meeting would be held on 11 August at the Dean Park Hotel.