COWDENBEATH Rotary Club members aim to ramp up their fundraising plans in the closing three months of the year.

Thursday’s meeting heard that the club’s recent centenary celebrations had put a significant amount of pressure on their funds, but they were desperate to ensure that they have funding to support local good causes

And they also want to help fund a project to create a proper water supply to a struggling community in Zimbabwe.

Club president Hank John said they've already sponsored a gardening competition in Kelty, and were committed to promoting their annual Shoebox scheme, which sees Christmas presents sent to needy children in Eastern Europe.

He added: “But we also know that over the coming months there will be requests for support from members of the community in the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area and we must be ready to back these.”

On Thursday the members considered a number of possible fundraising projects to follow between this month and next summer.

These included such ventures as a sponsored walk, a race night, a fundraising dinner, a club lottery and a car wash.

In the run-up to Christmas the club members agreed to hold a festive fayre and a carol concert, while in January a Burns event, involving raconteurs of all age groups, is to be held.

In the autumn an event as part of Rotary International’s End Polio campaign is also in the pipeline.

Hank added: “There were a host of interesting possible schemes tabled but we feel the Christmas fayre and carol concert plans can pay dividends and we will be formulating the plans for these in the coming weeks.”