Club Meeting

On Thursday 25th August, President Sandy Mackenzie welcomed members to the meeting of Rotary South Queensferry at Conifox Bistro, Kirkliston. One guest, Tamsin Gee, also attended. The night's speaker was Charlie Bryden MBE. His subject was The Wooden Spoon, the rugby charity which supports children and which he chaired for over seventeen years. Charlie is still a member of the Edinburgh Region committee.

The Purpose of The Wooden Spoon, founded in England in 1983, is to use the contacts and network of rugby to support children from birth to twenty-five years old by holding fund-raising events for local communities. The charity holds pre-match lunches during the international season and the Annual Dinner at Prestonfield House can raise 60 to 70 thousand pounds.

Among many charitable donations, The Wooden Spoon has bought paediatric dialysis machines and supported local children's charities across the country. Each organisation supported by The Wooden Spoon is presented with a plaque and rugby players both retired and present attend as ambassadors. Charlie's passionate presentation included a video of the organisations The Wooden Spoon managed to support even through the pandemic.

Charlie Bryden was introduced by Jim McCulloch. Liz Mackenzie proposed the vote of thanks.