rotary

“LOCK DOWN”

As with most organisations/businesses our activities have been seriously curtailed during the lockdown. Social distancing has for all intents and purposes meant that our fundraising activities have ceased meantime. Fortunately, thanks to modern technology, our club has been able to keep in touch and still play a small part in helping those in the community who are less fortunate than ourselves. Our council (Rotary Council), which normally would meet every third Thursday of the month to consider the business of the diff erent committees, applications for funding and distribution of funding, now holds Zoom meetings. Our “Elder Statesmen” who normally regularly meet for coff ee on a Thursday likewise now do so by Zoom. Our members who now number 39 are keeping in touch with each other by Whatapp. Before the lockdown our members would regularly meet for lunch in the Royal Hotel. Because social distancing means we can no longer meet, it was decided

that we would donate a portion of what would have been lunch money to Hope Kitchen and their foodbank. Since March 31 we have been making a regular donation of £175 a week. We will review the contribution at the end of June which will mark the start of a New Year for our club. douglas Small – president of Oban Rotary Club.

From the outset of the pandemic our club has been keen to be involved whenever possible in helping those vulnerable members of our community. A Covid-19 Response Team which now works closely with Argyll and Bute Council’s Caring for People Department was set up. The team which comprises seven members now regularly deliver three to four pharmacy prescriptions a day and make around six shopping deliveries a week. The team is also on hand to help Rotary and Inner Wheel members. Over the past three years Oban Rotary has been involved in providing fi nancial help to the North Argyll Carers Centre, who provide support for young carers in the community. We will be presenting this organisation with a cheque at the beginning of next month. I do hope that it is not too long before our club can get back to our normal activities, meeting again and raising funds for deserving causes and members of our community.

President Douglas Small whenever possible in Team which now works Council’s Caring for People The team which comprises The team is also on hand to help Rotary and Inner Wheel members. Over the past three years Oban Carers Centre, who provide