What is Orange the World? It is a United Nations campaign to encourage people all over the world to wear the colour orange to take action and end violence towards women and girls (25th November to 10th December). Below is Jean, Doris and Gladys wearing the colour orange at Castleton Farm Shop (November 2024). Very easy to do but it starts a conversation. People asked us why we were wearing orange. Another way is by wearing orange knitted brooches. Here Aberdeen members wear orange and/or wear orange brooches at a recent coffee morning in September. Photos were then posted on social media so more people are aware. Soon we will produce posters for Unite against violence. One poster is below.

Forfar President Susan Oliphant & Lesley Ducat  (above) delivered a huge amount of women’s sanitary items to TASH – ready for shipment to Ukraine – in their 100th lorry. The ladies also donated cash (collected in Smartie tubes) which will go towards transport costs. This is part of the Forfar Club’s commitment to this important international charity. 

Members from District 1 attended the 2024 International Convention in Manchester to mark the Centenary of Inner Wheel.

Below are a fraction of the number of photos from Clubs donating to charities.

The Toolkit from Association Membership & Development has been adapted by Forfar Club and Laurencekirk & District Club to produce promotional flyers.  Other Clubs have also used the toolkit and information is available under member login on Association Website (innerwheel.co.uk)

6 members from 3 of our clubs recently attended the 3^rd European Rally in Aarhus, Denmark – (Back row from left) Jessie Stuart (Stirling); Jean Hale (Forfar); Trish Douglas (Montrose); Nanette Thomson (Stirling); Lesley Niven (Stirling) and Liz Gordon (Stirling).  A most enjoyable experience for all of us – renewing friendships and making new ones.  Some added a couple of days of sightseeing by open top bus & canal barge in Copenhagen prior to travel north to Aarhus by flexi-bus – all highly recommended.

The theme of the Rally was Diversity, Inclusion and Integrity and this theme was explored by speakers from the Danish Government as well as the UN.  Bo Kristiansen – the only white Masai elder – talked on his work with the Masai tribes in Kenya and Tanzania; we heard about a basket making enterprise in Mozambique which has been embraced by IW Denmark as a social & fundraising project – the baskets were lovely but too bulky to bring home; and of course a  workshop on Orange the World by the OtW team – our own Trish speaking from the heart about experiences of women & young girls in Bangladesh which she heard about in a facility run by Inner Wheel.

Of course,  these events are totally social get-togethers, and the Danish organisers had organised fabulous entertainment & meals for us to attend – the opening night’s meal in local restaurants around Aarhus; to the Gala Dinner;  and another night when we all wore our tartan scarves & corsages.  There was lots of music from choirs & solo performers as well as members joining in renditions of well- known songs at the beginning and end of every session – maybe an idea for our District meetings, ladies?   

The 4^th European Rally will be held in Basel, Switzerland in 2028.         

Jean Hale presented a cheque to Spencer Harris of RNLI on 13th August 2025 after a year of fundraising. A total of £7,703 was raised to assist in the lifesaving work of the RNLI. Jean thanked all members and clubs for this amazing total towards the District 1 Charity and more all their efforts with the various events.

Annetta Anderson, Past District Chairman plus Forfar Club members present MS Society Scotland with a cheque for £3,815. 17 Clubs in District 1 undertook small fundraising over the past year. A great results for District 1 and vital funds for the charity.

Every Club in District 1 has contributed to the Grand total of £6,434 for Scottish Charity Air Ambulance. PDC Doris Campbell (far right of photo) is with Gladys Johnston (far left) Jean Hale and Claire at Aberdeen base. Banff Club and former Kirriemuir Club are also shown at Aberdeen and Scone HQ respectively. A variety of events were organised such Doris walking 100 miles in October with her dog, holding a Bingo night at the Ashvale Fish Restaurant, Aberdeen, Sales and coffee mornings. Whatever we did we enjoyed ourselves and great to help charities along the way.

The Centenary and District 1 Rally was held in Carnoustie in May 2024. DC Annetta Anderson welcomed members from around District 1, visiting DC’s from link Districts in GB&I and distinguished guests.

Members in Clubs do a variety of projects for International Inner Wheel Day on 10th January each year.  Donating to food banks or homeless shelters are the most popular. However Ellon Inner Wheel display Inner Wheel coloured flowers in their member windows each year.