Stirling Inner Wheel mark anniversary
The Inner Wheel Club of Stirling celebrated its 70th Charter with a lunch alongside invited guests from neighbouring clubs.
Founded in 1923 by a group of Manchester women whose husbands were Rotarians, Inner Wheel has grown to become one of the largest organisations for women worldwide and active in more than 104 countries with more than 98,000 members.
In Great Britain and Ireland there are 580 clubs in 29 districts with a total membership of 17,000 and the Stirling branch - founded in 1948 - is part of District 1, which stretches from Fife to the Isle of Skye.
Club secretary Nanette Thomson said: “When our club was started all those years ago, it was necessary for members to have a connection to Rotary but rules have changed and this is no longer a requirement.
“We are a service organisation and in Great Britain and Ireland, raise hundreds of thousands of pounds each year for charities both at home and abroad.
“In the beginning the club supported local charities such as children’s homes when £5 went a long way.
“Now we support local charities such as Town Break, Food Train, Castleview School and Riding for the Disabled to name but a few.”
She added: “This year we are also raising funds for Rheumatoid Arthritis Research, the chosen charity of our current president Janet Macaskill.”
The Stirling club has been involved in a number of fund- raising projects.
“We collect items which can be recycled in any way – spectacles, stamps, ink cartridges, etc, for the charity 500 Miles,” added Nanette. “Internationally we recently paid for a shelter box which will be sent to wherever a major disaster has taken place and can house a family for several weeks, giving them the basic essentials for survival.”