Courier Country Rotarians rally to aid of explosion-hit Beirut

Rotary clubs across Tayside and Fife have responded to the Beirut explosion disaster with a five-figure show of support.

The 89 clubs in District 1010, which stretches from Shetland to the Firth of Forth, is on course to send more than £10,000 to the Lebanese capital.

Within days of the disaster, which has claimed the lives of at least 200 people and injured around 5,000 others, District Governor Alistair Robb of the Rotary Club of Buckhaven and Methil and his colleagues contacted Beirut Cedars Rotary Club.

The district has around 2,400 members and its management team – all Rotarian volunteers – decided there should be an immediate fundraising appeal to all clubs, and that the money raised would go direct to the Beirut Cedars Club.

“In keeping with Rotary practice, 100% of the funds raised goes directly to help those affected,” said a spokesman.

“The money is not being filtered through aid organisations with overheads and expenses, and in Beirut it is being put to use within two days of being received.”

All Rotary clubs in the district were encouraged to support the appeal, and within days of the launch the treasurer was able to send $5,000 (USD) to the Beirut Cedars Club.

A further $6,100 of support followed and by the closing date of the appeal on August 31 more than $14,000, in excess of £10,000, had been gathered.

Some clubs had made a personal appeal to members, others used reserves in their charitable trust funds, and some made a public appeal.