Guildford’s 50 years
Guildford and District celebrated its 50th birthday and 50 years of serving the local community and supporting Soroptimist goals in 2008/09.
We began by honouring one of our founder members, Pat, at a business meeting. Pat is still active within the Club organising the Club’s work for the Royal Surrey by raising money and assembling the packs which the Club donates to the childrens’ ward to support parents who have arrived without toiletries.
Saturday of Celebration
The Club’s celebrations proper began on Saturday when a reception was hosted at Guildford’s Guildhall by the then Mayor Jenny Jordan, who is also a Club member. We were also honoured to be joined by the then President of Southern England, Sue Dyer.
Fundraising for Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice – 2009
We were delighted to invite representatives from the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice which was the President’s chosen charity for 2008/09 to join us at the Guildhall. Over the course of the year, as part of the Club’s fundraising activities, £4,000 was raised for the Hospice to help with their valuable work in the local area.
Past President Carole is shown below on the right presenting the cheque to the Hospice.
Onslow Village Arboretum
As part of the celebrations of 50 years of Soroptimism in Guildford and District, we planted a Ginkgo tree in Guildford Arboretum in Onslow Village. The ginkgo is also known as the Maidenhair Tree. It should eventually grow to 70-150′ and in Autumn, its leaves will turn a golden yellow – hence our choice to celebrate our 50 years.
In the meantime, our tree will help with one of the Soroptimist Programme Focus Objectives – that of mitigating climate change.
On the Sunday, we held our 5oth birthday lunch in the Great Hall of Wellington College. We were privileged to be joined by Mark Cook OBE, the founder of Hope and Homes for Children, which was the charity partnered by Soroptimist International for SI’s £1 million project in Sierra Leone. Mark described the charity’s work in general and more specifically, the work being funded by Soroptimists from all over the world.
At the Brighton Conference in October 2011, those attending heard that Soroptimists from all over the world had achieved the goal to raise £1 million in 4 years (in addition to all the other fundraising and Programme Action work) to help women and children rebuild their lives in Sierra Leone.