
Mary’s Meals named Inner Wheel’s international charity of the year
Musselburgh member and ‘incredible lady’ Sheila Reid first introduced Mary's Meals to the Inner Wheel Club of Musselburgh in 2010
Mary’s Meals has been named Inner Wheel in GB & I’s international charity of the year.
Inner Wheel, one of the largest voluntary women’s organisations in the world, has over 380 clubs across the UK and Ireland. Celebrating its centenary last year, its objectives are friendship, service in the community and international understanding, making its partnership with Mary’s Meals the perfect match.
Julie Ramsay, Association International Service Committee Chairman, who has been with Inner Wheel for 16 years, says the response from members to the announcement has been ‘tremendous’. Julie, from Musselburgh, East Lothian, explains Mary’s Meals first appeared on her club’s radar after being introduced by fellow Musselburgh member Sheila Reid in 2010: “Sheila first organised a soup and pudding lunch to raise money for Mary’s Meals. That was a very successful event.
“Then she had us filling schoolbags – for Mary’s Meals’ Backpack Project – and she had loads of them picked up by a lorry at her house! After that, everywhere I seemed to go, there was Mary’s Meals! Having heard a number of speakers over the years, I’m just really impressed with what Mary’s Meals does.”

Julie Ramsay, Inner Wheel, with Mary's Meals Founder, Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow at the shed in Dalmally.
Sheila sadly passed away last year at the age of 90, after 50 years of service to Inner Wheel, but Julie feels her legacy – and connection to Mary’s Meals – still lives on: “Sheila was very much a mentor to me, and I think she’s still working from above in different directions – she’s been steering me towards Mary’s Meals! She was an incredible lady.”
Inner Wheel, which also supports local and national charities with various fundraising activities, found a natural link with Mary’s Meals through their shared goals. Julie explains: “Inner Wheel women are strong on friendship, strong on service, strong locally, nationally and internationally. Strong on working together to improve the lives of women and children, no matter where they are in the world.”
Sally Davidson, Mary’s Meals Supporter Engagement Officer for East Scotland, says: “We are thrilled and honoured to be chosen as Inner Wheel’s international charity of the year.
“Our connection has only strengthened over time through our mutual desire and determination to make a difference in the world, by helping those less fortunate.
“We know that through this partnership the generosity and enthusiasm of Inner Wheel members will fuel our mission and help us reach more hungry children with Mary’s Meals.”
