As part of the celebration of the first centenary of Soroptimist International in 2021, local member Carole Holdcroft of SI Cannock & District has been selected as one of more than 100 Soroptimists to be commemorated as part of the #Whoisshe? Campaign.
Carole has been a dedicated Soroptimist at SI Cannock & District since November 1986 and has undertaken many roles in the club including President and her current role as Treasurer. She is a great mentor to the newer members of the club, always available to give advice, have a friendly chat at our meetings or on the other end of the phone when needed.
But it is in giving practical help where Carole excels! She looks for useful ways to help those in need and has been supporting the women who seek help from The Pathway Project– Action Against Domestic Abuse in Lichfield for more than 26 years.
After seeing a presentation from Kathy Coe, the Founder of Pathway regarding the work they do to support victims of domestic abuse, Carole thought “this girl needs help!” and set about collecting clothing, toiletries and household items.
As Kathy explains “She has been such a wonderful support to us over the years. When anyone is in need we call in Carole and she has pretty much furnished whole homes for families in need. She has also got to know and support many women and children emotionally as she has provided for their needs.
Carole is like an angel. She quietly goes through life making a real difference to families who have little support, no means to start their new life, and no-one to help them. There have been hundreds of families, whose lives have been touched by Carole at a time when they were losing all hope. To have someone do so much to help has kept them going through the worst time in their lives. We all love Carole and she has our gratitude and respect for all that she does”
Her efforts earned her the nickname ‘Carole the Cannock Collector’. Carole has also been instrumental in organising SI Cannock and District cooking a Christmas meal for the homeless of the area for the last 20 years, sourcing the food and marshalling her fellow Soroptimists in the kitchen!
The centenary of the organisation seemed a fitting opportunity to recognise and celebrate the professional and personal commitments made by these outstanding members through the years. These #Whoisshe? campaign members, both past and present, from Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland have all been nominated by Soroptimist Clubs for their noteworthy contribution to society in the furtherance of the aims and objects of the organisation. A certificate signed by the Federation President will be presented to each of the #Whoisshe? women through their Clubs.
Photographs attached, Portrait of Carole, Carole receiving her award from President Trish Smith