Club Projects

Project SIerra a Family and a Future

This is the Soroptimist International Quadrennial Appeal which was launched in 2007 and will run until 2011. The project aims to help the children in Sierra Leone who were orphaned as a result of war.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

The Club provides a bursary that helps to fund the provision of equipment for the young people who take part in the scheme. There are young people in the area who are unable to afford some of the costs involved and would be denied the chance of taking part if they were not given financial help. Over the last two years our Club has helped disabled youngsters and two who were being bullied to gain bronze and gold awards. The money to fund the bursary is raised at our annual Quiz Night in February.

Young Woman of Achievement award

As a result of our involvement with the D. of E. scheme, Halton Borough Council asked us to sponsor an annual award for a Young Woman of Achievement, which we are delighted to do. The finalists for the first year this ran (2010) are truly inspiring young women.

Halton Women’s Aid

The Club supports Halton Women’s Refuge by donating new towels and toiletries. “It is so nice to have my own brand new towels and toiletries for me and the children.” This remark was passed on by one of the women when she arrived at the centre.

Halton Child Contact Centre.

There are two centres in Halton; one is based in Widnes and one in Runcorn. Members of the Club are regular volunteers at the Runcorn Centre. Halton Child Contact Centre is a member of the National Association of Child Contact Centres (NACCC). One member of the Club is on the management committee of the centre and others are team leaders.

Frodsham Community Fair

This very successful July event, run by Frodsham Rotary Club, provides a valuable opportunity for community groups to raise their profile. We run a Blue and Yellow tombola, and assist with serving refreshments in the cafe. Publicity materials are available for members of the public to take, and a display is mounted showing photos from our recent work.

Bra recycling

The aim of this project is to raise awareness of cancers and remind women to have regular breast checks, and also to raise some money for our local hospice. Our Borough has a high incidence of cancers and the Club wanted to take action during Breast Cancer Awareness month. The company which recycles the bras sends suitable ones to Africa for women to set up small businesses, which helps to improve their lives, while those which can no longer be worn are turned into packaging material. Pink bra recycling bins are provided to doctors’ surgeries, offices, shops etc. during October, and then collected. The recycling firm pays for them by weight. So far, we have raised £200 for our local hospice, Halton Haven. The project will be run biennially.

Other work

The Club took part in a consultation by Halton Borough Council about local services in the areas of: (1) Environment and Health; (2) Education and Social Development; (3) Human Rights and the Status of Women; (4) Transport within the Borough. This involved two members attending a meeting and briefing, discussing areas of concern with representatives of other consulted groups, and bringing a questionnaire for Club to complete, with our comments and recommendations. The outcome of the consultation is not yet known.
Earth Day: in 2010, this coincided with our annual dinner, so at the appointed time tea-lights were lit on each table and the main lights switched off, as a reminder of energy use and the long term aim of reducing consumption. Members and guests were reminded of a serious issue but they also greatly enjoyed the candlelit atmosphere.

Other fundraising

£1875 to Runcorn, Frodsham and District MENCAP Link Youth Group, raised by holding a Barn Dance and a Charity Gala Variety Concert.
£110 to Loos for Lynne, in memory of International Past President Lynne Dunning.
£200 to the Guide Outdoor Activity Centre in memory of two senior members who have recently died.
£217 to Christian Aid for the Haiti earthquake appeal, raised in a bucket collection after the Gala concert.
£300 to Book Aid International, raised using a Reading Diary to mark International Literacy Day.
Donation to the UNICEF Born Free appeal, raised at a Mulled Wine and Mince Pies evening.