As most Soroptimists know, the 25th of each month has been designated ‘orange the world day’ by the United Nations. It is the day when we draw attention to their worldwide campaign ‘Say NO -UNITE to end violence against Women and Girls by 2023. Many clubs have started to hold an ‘Orange Café’ on the 25th of the month and we held our first event in the café at the Grosvenor Garden Centre on the 25th of October. We were all dressed in orange jumpers and at least one lady did ask why we were dressed in orange. Future events are being planned during the 16 Days of Activism. These events may not always be held at the same venue, so do please check with us if you would like to visit our Orange Café.

This blog tells about our member visits to the National Memorial Arboretum & Ness Botanical Garden. Club members from SI Chester took advantage of the beautiful weather in June to arrange some visits as a social event for members and family and friends to spend time together and went to the National Memorial Arboretum & Ness Botanical Gardens. The first visit was to the National Arboretum in Staffordshire. In 2021 a Soroptimist Memorial was added to the Arboretum. Our club President Wendy, and Region President Susan were there, and Susan explained how the day went:   “A memorable day out at the National Arboretum was had by 35 Region members who travelled there by coach on Saturday 17 June 2023.  Wendy and Susan made up the SI Chester contingent, as well as members as far-flung as Llandudno to Northwich and to Ellesmere Port. It was a

£1500 raised to support education sponsorship in a walking challenge.  Soroptimists completed a walking challenge to sponsor a woman’s education in Cambodia and raised around £1500. Eight club members from the Soroptimist International Club of Chester, one friend, one Soroptimister and at least two dogs spent the month of May walking in all weathers and at all hours of the day and evening, to complete the challenge of covering 100 miles each in order to raise money to change someone’s life.  We are aiming to provide enough money to support a young woman from Cambodia in her university education Supporting Education for Chanta in Cambodia | Blog | SI Chester (sigbi.org) with the help of Cambodian Community Dream Organization We are thrilled to confirm that we all did it! (including the dogs). We raised over £1100 through Just Giving plus a number of cash donations.

A group of our Club members are each walking 100 miles in May to raise £800 so that Chanta Savey, a 19-year-old Cambodian student, can pursue her dream of a university education. Chanta lives in one of the villages around Siem Reap in Cambodia, supported by the Cambodian Community Dream Organization Cambodian Community Dream Organisation (CCDO), a charity making a huge difference to the lives of impoverished families through education and empowerment. On a visit to the CCDO in February, one of our members – Carole – spoke to village women who are turning their lives around and raising themselves up out of grinding poverty. She saw their children attending school and witnessed the pride, new-found confidence and sheer joy in the women’s faces as they described their achievements and future hopes. She spoke of how moving and humbling it was, and she was also very impressed

The Soroptimist Region of Cheshire, North Wales and Wirral enjoyed an opportunity to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee on a river cruise, with afternoon tea and entertainment. On Saturday, 11th June, a group of 40 Soroptimists from clubs in Cheshire, North Wales & Wirral (https://sigbi.org/cheshire/) enjoyed a social outing on the Lady Diana, meandering along the River Dee in Chester.     Members, dressed in red, white and blue or resplendent as Royalty (with lots of purple in evidence!), spent a relaxing three hours whilst indulging in afternoon tea and appreciating the lovely scenery, as the boat sailed down to the Iron Bridge at Eccleston.         Entertainment consisted of a royal quiz which was won by Cherry Povall from SI Birkenhead, with questions such as How many grandchildren does the Queen have?  In what year was Prince Charles Born? What is the

SI Chester was pleased to welcome two new members this month.  Pictured below with President Geraldine are Ceri with her ‘buddy’ Penny. Also joining is Pat with her ‘buddy’ Debbie. Having attended  a few taster meetings as guests they joined up and were presented with SI Chester badges and certificates.                       Club members also held or wore Orange to recognise 16 days of activism against gender based violence   You can read more about us here and we are looking to recruit more members. Join Us and help us to Make That Difference to Women and Girls worldwide      

Join SI Chester and Chester Women’s Aid  in celebrating White Ribbon Day – the International Day committed to bringing an end to Male Violence Against Women and Girls and raising awareness of Domestic Abuse on Sunday 28th November 2021. CWA are excited to welcome old friends Deva Victrix Beard and Moustache Club and Cheshire Fire and Rescue, and they thrilled to welcome new friends Pop Vox Choir and Womens Self Defense Ellesmere Port to join us for a day of fundraising and fun in the heart of our beautiful city. If you would like to volunteer to help at the event (CWA are holding a bucket collection) or would like to pop by and have a chat, watch the wonderful Popvox perform or get a photo with Santa, please come and see us outside Debenhams by the Eastgate Clock between 11am and 3pm. We couldn’t