With the success of the Gryffe Valley 10K Run in May 2019, the club had spent more than £250,000 over the twenty-four years since its formation in 1995. This was a huge achievement by the thirty-five members, who include 9 founder members. In June 2021, spending reached £278,000.
A full listing of the beneficiaries of the monies raised up to June 2018 is published on the club website at Brochure180630-1.pdf , Brochure180630-2.pdf . Averaged over the years, 60% of funds raised have been devoted to Community and Youth and 40% to International (including Rotary Foundation, Emergency Relief and International Projects).
The top-ten beneficiaries in the first twenty-four years were:
Wheelyboat for wheelchair users at Castle Semple Loch £30,000
Rotary Foundation – Rotary’s own charity £17,716
Renfrewshire Young Carers – eleven annual outings £17,289
CHAS children’s hospice £13,000
500 miles charity providing prosthetics in Africa £12,750
Shelterbox emergency shelters £12,594
Renfrewshire Therapeutic Toy Library £10,000
St Vincent’s Hospice £9,500
Disabled Sailing at Castle Semple £7,247
Dentistry in Romania £5,845
At the other end of the scale more than 200 donations in the range £50 to £500 have been made to deserving local groups and individuals.
Gryffe Valley Rotary has many requests for help but is still always interested to hear from individuals or groups of opportunities to support local projects financially or through member’s efforts. Please contact the club via the contact button on the website (Google Gryffe Valley Rotary) or by speaking to a member.
'What We Do' Main Pages:
Six teams from Gryffe High and St Columba’s competed in the first round of this national Rotary competition
moreLong distance walking route - the length of the Gryffe Valley from the source of the river near Loch Thom to Linwood
moreNine competitors from Gryffe High School, St Benedicts and St Columbas achieved superb standards in the local heat of this national competition
moreSummary of the activities of Gryffe Valley Rotary during the year 2022-23 as presented at the handover of the Presidency from Mike Farley to Ian Jackson
moreClimate Change series- eminent speakers from around the UK in the months leading up to and following the COP26 summit in Glasgow in November 2021
moreClasses in First to Third Years at St Benedict’s and Gryffe High School were challenged to design, bake and decorate Christmas fare which included truffles, cupcakes, biscuits and Yule Logs.
moreDespite Covid the club has maintained its competitions and projects with local schools Hundreds have taken part and enjoyed some success at local, District and National levels!
moreTo encourage walking in the local environment, we are promoting local walking groups, publishing local walking routes and creating the Gryffe Valley Way, a walking route the length of the River Gryffe.
moreTo support disabled sailing for wheelchair users at Castle Semple Loch Gryffe Valley Rotary purchased a special powered Wheelyboat to enabled those in wheelchairs to get out onto the water.
moreThe club organises outings for groups of Renfrewshire Young Carers, with activities followed by a meal and drink. Some years we visited Xscape at Braehead, Hillington for the electric go-karts, and then Castle Semple Loch
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