A GLENROTHES man has been named the new district governor for Rotary clubs in the north and east of Scotland.

In a few weeks’ time David Rankin will take over the reins of the largest and best performing Rotary district in the UK and Ireland from outgoing governor Clive Bartram.

More than 400 Rotarians came to the Rothes Halls in Glenrothes at the weekend to meet their new district governor, who is from the Howe of Fife club.

Mr Rankin, who recently returned from his Rotary induction in San Diego with his wife Rita, welcomed the other Rotarians— many had travelled from the far north of Scotland—before outlining his plans for the coming year.

“It is a pleasure and privilege to stand before you as your next district governor, and I am honoured so many of you have travelled from far and wide to Fife for my first address to you,” he said.

“This is a year of change as we look to develop, improve, modernise and future-proof our worldwide organisation in preparation for the next generations.

“We are all aware statistics show our district is factually the best in the UK and Ireland and I am hopeful we can… build upon it in the forthcoming 12 months.”

He said this year’s focus would be on children, with the Rotary International message to “Make Dreams Real” a cornerstone of the work being carried out.

“Over 30,000 children die every day throughout the world from preventable illnesses, and we are going to contribute to the worldwide push to make changes by continuing to support Rotary’s humanitarian aid programmes throughout the developing world.

“In addition we will work with other Rotary districts across the world to match the $1 million promised to us by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to fully eradicate polio worldwide.

“Rotary has already played a primary role in removing 99% of polio in the world, and I am extremely confident the north and east of Scotland can assist in contributing to making this devastating disease a thing of the past.”

The district covering the north and east of Scotland is known as RIBI District 1010 and consists of 86 clubs and over 3200 Rotarians.

Mr Rankin’s wife Rita said she was delighted her husband is to become district governor and added, “It is going to be a busy, but exciting time ahead of us and I look forward to meeting some of the many people who travelled to Glenrothes this weekend on our club visits.”