March Dinner Meeting
President Anne Needham introduced local man, Bill Whitehouse MBE, Vice Chairman of the British Cave Rescue Council.
He gave a fascinating presentation about the dramatic rescue of the junior football team trapped in Tham Luang Cave,Thailand last summer.
The boys had been taken on a walk into the cave by their young coach, and unexpectedly they were trapped by rising water in a cave under the “Sleeping Lady ” mountain.
Following bureaucratic setbacks with the military, Thai authorities agreed that the British team of experts should be allowed to help. Four Thai “SEALS” had attempted a rescue and failed.
The intervention by the King of Thailand then ensured the UK’s team were allowed access. They were given just a few hours to mastermind a plan. Two Australian cave divers joined their team. One was an anaesthetist, the other a vet.
The boys were successfully evacuated after each one was sedated and ” packaged ” before being carried through flooded passages to safety. The first four were brought to the surface, but no-one knew who they were. The remaining boys had their name written on the backs of their hands. Ultimately all the boys, their coach and the four Thai SEALS were all brought to safety but, tragically, one of the rescuers died in the attempt.
Bill was thanked by President Elect, Jo Holdway.
SOROPTIMISTS SUPPORT FAIRTRADE – WIN, WIN, WIN…
President Jo thanked Anne for her successful and busy year in office and then outlined the plans that she and President Sue have for 2019/2020. Another exciting programme of events lies ahead!
May Day Spring Fair in Buxton
Buxton Soroptimists had a stall again this year and successfully raised funds for a variety of charities through our plant sales.
This year we were also highlighting ‘period poverty’ and were very pleased to receive donations of sanitary wear in response to our appeal.
It was a pleasure to meet so many members of the public and give an insight into the work Soroptimists do on a local, national and international level.
May Dinner Meeting – Mental Awareness Week
As a result of meeting Soroptimists at the Spring Fair, we welcomed a potential new member to our dinner meeting!
Our guest speaker was Ruth Moore, Neuroscientist, and we discovered how the functioning of our individual brains influences our experience of mental well-being. Ruth’s talk was absolutely fascinating and there were many questions from members, which makes us hope that she will come back to talk to us again soon.
Clarins Evening – Fundraising for Charity
Rotary Summer Fair
This local event again saw Soroptimists with their plant stall and meeting members of the public who were interested in learning more about our organisation and our current local project, ‘Period Poverty’.
Wellbeing Evening
Buxton Club members were joined by Soroptimists from Stockport and Staffordshire Moorlands to hear speakers, Stephen Hollings and Kate Thorpe, and a total of £100 was raised for a mental health charity.
Race for Life
