Inner Wheel

Inner Wheel was formed in 1924 by a group of ladies in Manchester who decided that they wanted to help with the work of their Rotarian husbands, but to do it in their own way. Inner Wheel expanded quickly throughout Britain and Ireland; in 1967 International Inner Wheel was formed and it is now a worldwide organisation with over 100 countries having Inner Wheel Clubs. The three objects of Inner Wheel are to promote true friendship, encourage the ideals of personal service and to foster international understanding. The Inner Wheel Club of Belfast was founded in 1931 by Mrs Ethel Rundle, wife of the then Belfast Club President Harris Rundle. They not only have monthly meetings but also run fund-raising and social events. Since 1995 the President of the Belfast Inner Wheel Club is elected as an Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Belfast during her year of office. The Belfast IW Club is very honoured to have had members elected to District Office: Carol McClure as District Chairman and Lynn Currie as District Secretary.

 Activity

This active the Club has not only raised large sums of money for a wide variety of charities both at home and internationally but has also given practical help in the prevailing social conditions to the elderly, children and the needy in our community and further afield. Members have read books onto tapes for the blind, knitted blankets and matinee coats etc., filled shoeboxes and backpacks for children and others in underdeveloped countries as well as providing Aqua and ShelterBoxes. In the 2023-24 year, as well as the President’s Charity - the Alzheimer’s Society, the Club supported the NI Children’s Hospice, Mary’s Meals, ShelterBox and Water aid.

Their coffee morning in November 2019 raised over £1,200 which they used to purchase 2 ShelterBoxes.

The Club in recent years has celebrated their significant birthdays.

On Wednesday 13 October 2021 they celebrated their 90th Anniversary dinner held in Malone Golf Club. President Ken and his wife Susan were delighted to attend. The guest speaker on the night was the Councillor Kate Nicholl, Lord Mayor of Belfast, who gave an excellent address and cut the celebration cake. Pictured far left below are: Orla McClelland, President Patricia Donnelly the Lord Mayor and Margaret Brennan - Orla and Margaret being long standing members.

The Club celebrated its 80th Birthday in April 2011. The Rotary Club of Belfast presented a cake to mark the occasion at a delightful party, with a 30's theme, which was held in Malone Golf Club. The cake was cut by Patricia Rundle, mother of Rotary Club of Belfast Vice President Alan and a daughter in law of founder member Ethel Rundle - shown here with President Ann Ferguson and Sheila Johnson.