Dalkeith Rotary Club chief extends his term of office after a busy year

Succeeding to the presidency last July, the retired businessman launched a drive to help relieve local hardship by setting up a special fund designed to help sustain services like the Red Cross, volunteering bodies and foodbanks in Midlothian.

Early action to promote the safety of care staff came in the form of donations towards buying material needed to get mask-making projects going at Newbattle and Lasswade High Schools.

While Rotary members and friends put their sewing machines into action making scrubs for local GP practices and hospitals.

When lockdown took hold, care home residents confined to their own rooms were delighted when Rotarians arrived with TV sets to help relieve isolation.

More recently, £1000 raised by a team of Rotarians from the sale of seasonal-themed face coverings was added to funds for ongoing projects in Woodburn, Mayfield and elsewhere.

“We’ve also been out working to improve the local environment by replanting public areas in Dalkeith. Further work to boost the general wellbeing of the community is planned for 2021,” said Mr Watson.