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. "

Crosby’s Soroptimists take part in various recycling initiatives. In one small project, members have been asked to collect their family’s empty medicine blister packs. They can deposit the packs at local participating Superdrug pharmacies. Club members not able to visit a Superdrug pharmacy themselves can still participate. Here Soroptimists Norma Marshall and Linda Key deliver a consignment of packs handed in by fellow members. Once collected from the pharmacy, the packets are separated by polymer type. They are cleaned (if necessary). The material is then extruded into plastic pellets to make new recycled products. This initiative is just one example of Soroptimist International’s commitment to link its work to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. The UN Goal 14 is “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, sea and marine resources for sustainable development”. Earth’s largest ecosystem – the ocean – is endangered by plastic pollution.

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

Members of Soroptimist International, Crosby, are deeply saddened at the death of Her Majesty the Queen. The Queen dedicated her life to the service of the nation and held fast to that promise. Our thoughts are with her family at this very sad time.