Fund Raising Report 2021-2022

Until recently it has been impossible due to Covid restriction to hold any fundraising activities, which involved gatherings of more than a few people.  Fundraising has therefore been restricted to electronic gatherings (Zoom – arguably one of the most hated words in the dictionary now) or electronic competitions.

This year we have successfully held a FTSE100 competition and a Strictly Come Dancing winner prediction competition.  The Club is currently also nearly finished a second FTSE100 for this year, with only 1 week to go on this second run.

Our first FTSE100 first run attracted some 78 entries and netted £592.50 – and we are still trying to identify who donated the 50p.  However it is fair to say that without the generosity of the participants, some of whom donated their winnings, the result would have been £150+ less. Indeed our previous treasurer has already commented on this.

Our second electronic competition was based on the popular TV program “Strictly Come Dancing”, in which participants try to identify the ultimate winner. There were 51 participants.  This competition netted a surplus of £330. Again generous donations were an important factor.

We currently have a second FTSE100 competition running, (1 week left to run) but with fewer participants – 64 in all – proportionally we should net around £500.

Based on an event held in 2019 and with the help of Ewan Archibald, now elevated to the dizzy heights of Honorary Membership, we were able to engage with the Dunfermline Strathspey and Reel Society who agreed to put on a charity concert. This was a challenge, not withstanding getting a suitable venue given covid restrictions and advice.

We were lucky enough to discover a suitable venue at the turn of the year – Rosyth Parish Church - and the concert - Reels For Rotary - was held on Friday 29th April.  All who attended were delighted, and pleasantly surprised with the venue.  The music was first class and quality exceptional, which is all the more remarkable given that the Group had only a limited time to put together a program and bring it up to speed. I am pleased to report that the evening made a surplus of £653 after all expenses were paid. Thanks to all who donated raffle prizes, and covered the expense of the tickets, and the complimentary wine.  Thanks to those members who were able to help out on the night. Thanks are also due to the ladies of the church who looked after us so well and made the evening such a success.

It is planned to have a race night to finish off our fundraising year and this will be held in Pitfirrane Golf Club, Crossford, on Friday 17th June. The format will be the same as the last time we ran this event in March 2020, just prior to the Pandemic lockdown. This will include filmed horse races with wagers and a buffet at the midway interval.  It would be disappointing if we did not have a surplus of £550, and it will be open to anyone to participate including members of the golf club.  Robert North is organising the racing.  The venue is booked, the race pack is organised, so all we need is participation.

This year has been very difficult given that we have had meeting restrictions for most of the year, however it looks as though our fundraising activities have made £1572.50 to date, and our last two events are estimated to net over £1000.  Therefore our fundraising activities for the year should be in excess of £2500.

Taking in to account that we have been unable to hold our two major fundraising events due to restrictions, namely Am-Am golf and our Ultimate quiz, this has been a good result.

What we do next year, 2022-23 will be the subject of the Club Assembly.

Brian Mitchell
Rotary Club of West Fife