It’s taken years! However, Soroptimists from clubs in Crosby, Liverpool, Southport and Bootle have achieved their pre-Covid aim of working together on a project to safeguard local women. The Soroptimists raised over £7,500 for the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital. The money is earmarked for use by the Safeguarding Team who care for vulnerable women attending the hospital. This fundraising was the initiative of Crosby Soroptimist Sandy Taylor when she was President of the South Lancashire region. “We originally envisioned a ‘room of safety’ at the hospital,” said Sandy. “However, the need now is for the funds to be used to support individual women, as identified by the Safeguarding Team. “Times change but, alas, there continue to be vulnerable women in our community. As Soroptimists, therefore, we want co-operate in this proposal which will support women’s wellbeing.” On International Women’s Day, representatives of the clubs

“Break a leg” might be a traditional saying in the theatre world – but it’s not something to wish for in real life. Crosby’s Soroptimists welcomed Sue Doyle, a volunteer speaker with the Royal Osteoporosis Society, to give them the facts about bone health, diagnosis and treatment. Sue spoke about bone structure, how it can change through life and exactly what osteoporosis is. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle for strong bones was her central theme. The Royal Osteoporosis Society is a charity dedicated to campaigning for the 3.5 million people in the UK who have this condition. It has a network of support groups and a helpline staffed by specialist nurses to ensure that accurate information makes a real difference to people’s lives. Vesna Levi (SI Crosby Programme Action Officer) said, “Sue’s talk really captured our members’ interest. A lively question-and-answer session followed, which could have

Crosby's Soroptimists have, once again, helped out at their local hospice. The annual 'Light Up A Life' event St Joseph's Hospice, Thornton, is one at which the club is asked to help. It was freezing cold this year but huge numbers of people still attended. They were very grateful, therefore, that the Soroptimists served up a steady supply of hot drinks all evening. The hospice kitchen provided shortbread biscuits and teabread - popular tasty treats. Soroptimist President Margaret Davidson said, "Our club has a longstanding link with the hospice. We are happy, therefore, to volunteer our time and ensure that visitors are well looked after."

A paediatric cardiac centre in India is up and running thanks, in part, to a Soroptimist partnership. The Crosby club has a friendship link with Soroptimist International Jesi in Italy. The Italian club has connections in Raipur (Chhattisgarh, India) and passed on details about the proposed cardiac facility. The Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani hospital in Raipur is a charitable hospital dedicated to the treatment of children suffering from heart defects and disease. Its services are free. The hospital hoped to set up a homograft bank which would provide organs ‘on site’ for its patients. This would massively improve services for the children. In 2019 a group of doctors led by Dr Marco Pozzi, Consultant Paediatric Cardiac Surgeon based in Ancona, Italy, devised a fundraising campaign involving Rotary International clubs. Denise Pozzi, of SI Jesi, drew the project to Crosby’s attention. Would Crosby Soroptimists support them

Members of SI Crosby untangled the tinsel for the annual Christmas tree festival at St Faith's Church. The Soroptimists were one of the first organisations this year to decorate their tree. The theme - at the request of President Margaret - was the charity Autism Initiatives. Small change that festival visitors put in the Soroptimists' collecting bucket will go to the charity. Pupils at Peterhouse School in Southport made some of the decorations. This is a non-maintained specialist school and college for children and young people aged 5 to 19 who have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Conditions.

Once again Crosby’s Soroptimists took part in the local Remembrance Day service. President Margaret Davidson laid a wreath in memory of the fallen at Five Lamps War Memorial on behalf of club members.  

More wildflowers for Lunt Crosby's Soroptimists have planted out hundreds of native wildflower seedlings at Lunt Meadows Nature Reserve. As last year, many members tended the flowers from seed at home in readiness for transferring to the reserve. Soroptimist Terry Francis said: "The weather was against us - drizzle, light rain, then (once we were well into the work) a downpour. We just kept going! "Simple work at the reserve - like this - is part of our ongoing partnership with the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester & North Merseyside. Very many thanks to Alasdair and Chris - two Soroptimisters who helped with the planting. When we all see the flowers in bloom next year, we'll know that getting wet was really worthwhile."

Two recycling initiatives featured at a recent meeting of Soroptimist International, Crosby. Firstly, Margaret Emsley spoke about the Diamond Education Grant (DEG). This charity awards grants to women who need to update their skills, or acquire new ones, so they have a better chance of obtaining employment or promotion.  Women who have overcome personal challenges may find they are particularly successful in obtaining a grant. The DEG was set up by our Federation – Soroptimist International, Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI). Applicants don’t have to be Soroptimists – but they must live in one of the countries within SIGBI. Margaret is a Trustee of the charity. Of course, demand always outstrips supply! The DEG team have to make hard choices each year as they assess the applicants. Margaret therefore commended SI Crosby for taking part in the ‘Recycling for Good Causes‘ scheme. This raises much-needed

Going - Going - All Gone! Crosby's Soroptimists have held a highly successful auction, raising over £1,700. Proceeds go to Liverpool University Hospitals Charity (towards a women's "room of safety") plus other local charities. Pam McKee, Chair of SI Crosby's Fundraising team, was MC for the event. She said: "Thanks to generous donors - and keen bidders - we raised that magnificent sum. "Club member Pat Murphy, was once again our auctioneer. Pat is very experienced at squeezing out every last pound - and she really kept the evening going most profitably. "Guest speaker was retired local jeweller Marie Caddick. Lab-grown diamonds? This was new to most of us, and Marie gave a fascinating insight into this latest development in the jewellery business. "Our Soroptimists, family and friends had great fun - with a purpose. A huge thank you to all. "

Anyone for hapa zome printing? Crosby’s Soroptimists had the opportunity to try this out at their recent meeting. Club members welcomed Cheryl Ashton and Molly Toal from the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside. SI Crosby has a long-term partnership with the Trust, focussed on the educational and community potential of Lunt Meadows Nature Reserve. Cheryl gave an update on progress – a start on construction of the long-awaited welcome centre is imminent. Hapa zome printing is, therefore, one example of the many nature-based learning activities that could feature. The technique - which is of Japanese origin – is ‘flower-pounding’. Arrange fresh flowers and leaves between fabric layers and bash them with a wooden implement. Very satisfying! Peel away the fabric and – voilà – a colourful pattern. The Soroptimists’ efforts varied from delicate to splodgy – elderberries were particularly messy. But all