THE local Rotary Club are launching the popular ‘Message in a Bottle’ scheme in the Three Towns this week.

This scheme has been up and running for some years in South Ayrshire through the local Rotary Clubs and the Rotary Club of Hunterston introduced the scheme in West Kilbride about five years ago.

Howard Gibb, the coordinator for the scheme, explained how it worked, he said: “The scheme works as follows :

“Bottles are distributed free of charge to the elderly, vulnerable individuals and people living alone and these bottles contain a form to be completed by individuals to record their emergency contacts and essential medical information.

“The form is placed in a distinctive Green Cross Bottle which is placed in the door of their fridge and two further green cross labels are supplied. One is stuck to the outside door of their fridge and the other at a visible point inside their front door.

“Emergency services have been briefed on the scheme and will be on the look out for these Green Cross stickers when entering premises and will be able to use the information contained therein.

“We aim to distribute these bottles via Health Centres, Pharmacies and Agencies dealing with the Elderly like Day Centres and OIR. This scheme is being coordinated and managed by Rotary Club of Hunterston and is partly funded by a grant from the Ardrossan Windfarm Trust.”

The launch will be on Friday 11th May in the Harbour Suite of Saltcoats Town Hall at 1.30pm and will last around 45 minutes. All are invited to the event which will be attended by distribution agencies and the Emergency Services. The scheme will be explained in detail and bottles will be available.

The Rotary Club of Hunterston meets in the Seamill House Hotel on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Wednesday of each month at 7pm. If you would be interested in finding out more about the work that the club does in the local community and internationally or to come along to any of our meetings contact howardgibb@btinternet.com.