Community Service Report to 2023 AGM

As in previous years, we have continued to seek opportunities to lend assistance throughout the whole of our catchment during the past year, albeit with limited success in some of the West Fife villages, however we have been reasonably active through the year.

It is difficult to say we have achieved all of our objectives, but we continue to do the best we can. We have not fully used the Committee budget this year, but we have managed to support a number of worthy causes and have scope to continue supporting causes on a case by case basis.

The full list and details of donations made during the year is covered in the Treasurers report, but can be summarised as follows-

Helen has continued to be our link with the Salvation Army, resulting in a further donation for their chosen use as well support for their Christmas Toy Box appeal.

Support was also made to the Rotary District 1010 Christmas Toy Box appeal this year for distribution in local refuges.

We once again repeated the laying of 4 Poppy Wreaths on Remembrance Day at local War Memorials.

Donations were given to the Limekilns and Charlestown Gala, the West Fife Quilters, the Scouts for their upcoming Jamboree and towards a new defibrillator in Culross, while confirmation was received that a new defibrillator has been installed in Carnock to which we donated in the previous Rotary Year. Club presence at local Galas will be considered for the next Rotary year.

We have continued to assist the Forth Bridges Club in their New4U Children’s clothing project, with assistance ranging from sorting the donated clothing at the Hub in Dalgety Bay to preparing and delivering clothing donations, not exclusively in the West Fife catchment. We will continue to try to spread the word about the Clothing project through our catchment. Sadly, our intended stall to promote the project at the Culross Sunday market at the end of April did not happen as that week’s market was cancelled due to adverse weather, but we hope to repeat the exercise in the near future. Thanks, in particular to Morag for continued assistance with this.

It was pleasing to see the Fife Festival of Music being run again this Rotary Year and our sponsorship of 2 classes was carried over from last year.

Alan continues to represent the Clubs interests with Fife Young Carers and Brian is attending the local clubs Kids Out meetings which will be held at the Scottish Deer Centre, although perhaps postponed into the next Rotary Year.

Many thanks to everyone who has helped with the Community and Vocational work this year and hopefully we will have a busy and rewarding period to come.

Neil Spriddle

Rotary Club of West Fife Community and Vocational Service Committee Convenor 2022-23