We were pleased to welcome Bruce Simmonds at our club’s Speaker Meeting on Monday 14th November.
Bruce was representing the Lord Mayor of Bristol’s Children Appeal. He appraised us of the incredible work the charity has done for the last 100 years (since 1921) raising funds to help disadvantaged children in Bristol with vouchers – one £20 voucher for food and one £20 voucher for clothing or a toy per child.
The Lord Mayor’s Fund was started initially with the aim of providing a Christmas dinner and boots for the deprived children of the city.
Today the appeal helps 1,650 children (under 16 or under 18 if they have a disability) every year, so their target is to raise £66,000 which is no mean feat! The children are nominated by health visitors, doctors and teachers, and approved by The Bristol City Council People Directorate, Children and Families Directorate (formerly Social Services).
Bruce himself has been involved with the charity for the last 52 years in various roles, as the Treasurer and a trustee of the appeal.
As a Club, Soroptimist Bristol has been involved helping with fundraising for the Lord Mayor’s Children Appeal for many years with Liz N recruiting many of our members to help. This year it’ll be no exception and we’ll be there joining forces again on 10th December.
Thank you, Bruce, for joining us to recount all the amazing stories of how the appeal has helped our Bristolian children.