Our Rotary in the community year

As with many organisations, Lochaber Rotary was gradually able to get back to some sort of normality as the year 2022 progressed.

 

An early disappointment was the departure of Reverend Richard Baxter to a parish in Glasgow.

 

Sadly, some long-standing members were lost but others gained.

 

The Rotary AMAM Golf returned in May, when local golfers and visitors from further afield had a good day out, giving an early fundraising boost.

 

For several years Rotary has helped with the gate at the Lochaber Agricultural Show and this, together with a successful bottle stall again boosted funds, from which two Shelter Boxes were gifted, to aid overseas disaster relief.

 

A significant donation was also made to Macmillan Cancer Support.

 

One of Rotary’s main aims is to encourage young people and the Young Writer, Young Chef, Young Photographer and Young Musician competitions were all well supported.

 

Financial support was also given through The Kenneth J Macpherson Memorial Trust for Young Musicians of Lochaber, for which Rotary is the administrator.

 

Help for Ukraine has been worldwide and the club was able to play its part through contributing to the cost of Anne Rowan’s excellent fundraising concert and by direct support to Ukrainian families in Lochaber.

 

A significant event was the visit from Canada by honorary member Faye Steel, widow of Charlie Steel, the last remaining founder-member of the club and one-time manager at Ben Nevis Distillery.

 

Recognising the Club’s 72 years of existence, which couldn’t be done during Covid, a celebratory Charter Dinner was held in November.

 

November also saw the return of the Rotary Christmas Festival and Craft Fair, a well-attended event.

 

Rotarian Sheana Fraser said: 'Thanks to funding support from Highland Council, free access was given to Santa’s Grotto, soft play and the bouncy castle.

 

Santa's custom accordingly doubled from 200 children to more than 400 this year!'

 

One of the last events of 2022 was carol singing around the residential homes at Moss Park, Abbeyfield, Invernevis/Victoria Court and the Belford Hospital. A group of 12, supported by Lizzie Budge on the accordion ensured a good fun day. Christmas parcels were given to all residents for which the Club thanked Janette Hunter, Lidl, Aldi and Morrisons.

 

The last Rotary turn-out was bag-packing at Morrisons just before Christmas and, while not the interactive event that it used to be owing to everyone’s wariness over Covid, Rotarians remained keen to help shoppers, keep queues moving and appreciated the support.

 

President Simon Hardiman said: 'It has been great getting back to normal activity during 2022.

 

'Rotary can only make progress with its work thanks to generous donations from members of the public and major supporters Highland Council and Ferguson Transport and Shipping.

 

Our best wishes for Christmas and the New Year are extended to one and all.'

 

Although the club is active in Lochaber, it is part of Rotary International, one of the biggest humanitarian service organisations in the world, with 1.2 million members.

 

Fundamentally, Rotary is keen to see improvements in every community and to help individuals achieve their ambitions. Contact them at www.lochaberrotary.org.uk or through the Alexandra Hotel.