Rotary Club of Forres helps the Covid-19 vaccination effort
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A SERVICE organisation has been delegating volunteers for the Covid-19 vaccination effort.
Rotary Club of Forres was initially approached by Forres Health and Care Centre to help with the over-80s rollout, providing parking attendants over the weekend of January 23.
Since then, Rotary secretary Sheena MacGillivray confirmed the volunteers also offered to help NHS Grampian, who moved the vaccination process to Mosset Park on February 1, initially for the 75 to 79 age group.
The programme was moved to Forres Town Hall for consequent age groups, but this was changed again to the Fiona Elcock Vaccination Centre at the former Topps Tiles site on Elgin’s Edgar Road due to a lack of vaccine.
Ms MacGillivray said: “Last week we had a clinic from 10am-6pm each day, with three volunteers helping each hour. Our volunteer list may still be needed to work in the future as part of a team on parking and managing queues. They include folk who are furloughed, retired or just looking for something different to fill their day. The community has been very supportive and willing to do anything to help the rollout.”
Rotary president Tanya McLaren confirmed the list of volunteers is full for February.
She said: “The club is delighted, as always, to help the community at this vital time. We are also extremely grateful to those non-Rotarians who volunteer to help.”
Rotary Club of Forres has around 40 members, and has existed in the town for more than 65 years, working on projects and raising funds for causes.
During the pandemic, the Rotarians have also: donated to Quarriers for activity packs and presents for young carers; donated to Moray Women’s Aid and the Moray Emergency Relief Fund (MERF); donated whisky bottles to be auctioned for extra funds for MERF; and helped Forres Area Community Trust distribute afternoon teas to senior citizens.
Ms MacGillivray said: “We have also done a litter-pick, planted bulbs in Helge’s Hole, tidied paths there, and toured Forres with Santa’s Sleigh.
“Forres Rotarians are still very active!”
