Santa has helped Crosby’s Soroptimists raise hundreds of pounds for charity. Despite bad weather, Santa and his Soroptimist elves greeted shoppers for an afternoon outside the Waitrose store in Formby. Then the brightly-lit Christmassy float toured Thornton one evening, delighting children and adults alike with singalong seasonal music. Pam McKee co-ordinates SI Crosby’s fundraising efforts. “Everyone has been so very generous” she said. “All donations will, as usual, go to local charities that our club supports. “In total, from our two outings, we raised over £800.” “Many thanks to Crosby’s Rotarians for the loan of their float and practical assistance. We are also indebted to our ‘Soroptimisters’ who always turn out to help with this Christmas tradition.”    

Crosby Soroptimist volunteers staffed the refreshment marquee for 'Light Up A Life' at St Joseph's Hospice. This popular Christmas event at the hospice in Thornton was - to the delight of all - once again held 'in person'. The woodland grounds make a stunning setting in which families can remember their loved ones. Soroptimist Jane Daly said: "People attending the service really appreciate the chance warm up with a hot drink - and maybe have their first mince pie of the Christmas season. "SI Crosby members have helped out over many years.  We are always pleased to assist St Joseph's at this special event."

Crosby’s Soroptimists have, once again, set up a tree as part of the Christmas Tree Festival at St Faith’s Church, Crosby. The theme this year is in line with President Chris Smith’s focus – our links with Waterloo Primary School. Children in Year 5 made decorations for the tree. Several featured laptops, for which we raised funds during lockdown. The children used the computers while learning at home. President Chris said: “The Christmas Tree Festival gives our Soroptimist club the opportunity to showcase a little of our practical service in the community. “Last year the festival was online. This year it is so good to take part again ‘in person’ in this opening celebration of the Christmas season.”

Crosby’s Soroptimists have focussed on women’s long-term health and wellbeing. Powerful testimony from cancer survivor Abby Younis introduced members to a new way of transforming women’s lives. Abby is fronting a campaign to fundraise for a state-of-the art laser at the Liverpool Women’s Hospital (LWH). Dr Paula Briggs is Consultant in Sexual and Reproductive Health at the hospital. Cancer treatments, she explained, can cause a medically-induced menopause. Many menopausal symptoms are commonly known. Others, such as vaginal atrophy, are less well recognised – even among clinicians. Internal dryness, weakening, recurrent infections – often the consequences of modern cancer treatments. Women find these gynaecological symptoms difficult to talk about. Yet they can jeopardise their physical and mental health, and blight their lives. The Soroptimists heard that the LWH is seeking to fund a CO2 (Mona Lisa Touch) laser, costing £50,000. The laser will enable this NHS

Better late than never! Crosby's Soroptimists raised £1,434 at a fundraising 'virtual' auction last May. It was an experiment - and turned out to be a great success. President Chris Smith has now been able to hand over a cheque for the proceeds. Neil Frackelton, Chief Executive of Sefton Woman's and Children's Aid (SWACA), was delighted to receive it. This charity is close to the hearts of local Soroptimists and the club has long been associated with SWACA.

Crosby’s Soroptimists have been going back in time. The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside (LWT) is planning education workshops. These form part of the Mesolithic and Modern Life project at Lunt Meadows Nature Reserve. SI Crosby is a long-term partner with LWT. The Soroptimists are joining other volunteers in developing sessions that can be rolled out as part of the project’s learning programme. Topics include prehistoric crafts and archaeology techniques. Soroptimist Chris Chua-Short said: “The initial workshop, on prehistoric crafts, was led by Barry Taylor and Amy Gray Jones, Senior Lecturers in Archaeology at the University of Chester. “They gave us an insight into life in Mesolithic times, then explained how to make some traditional Mesolithic items. We started with cording using nettle and some other tree bark. Certainly, we weren’t as skilled as people 9,000 years ago! However, it was challenging

100 years, and counting Crosby’s Soroptimists have a come up with a special way of commemorating the centenary of Soroptimist International (SI) in 2021. Members are making a quilt. The quilt will be featured in the run-up to the ‘virtual’ conference of Soroptimist International, Great Britain & Ireland (SIGBI) in Llandudno. The design is ‘Friendship Star’ using the American 9-patch system. Traditional Soroptimist ‘colours’ of blue and yellow are included in the pattern. Led by experienced crafter Laurel Byrne of Treasure Quilt, the Soroptimists pieced together the motifs. For several, this was a whole new skill to learn. Laurel will now apply the wadding and the backing fabric to create the quilt. Sandy Taylor came up with the original idea and suggested it to her fellow members. “For several years we put our sewing skills to good use, raising funds for charities. “SI Crosby is

SI Crosby has won an award for Programme Action. (l-r) Region President Josie Carter, Terry Francis, Sriya Kulupana, President Chris It is presented annually by SI South Lancashire Region, and is based on clubs' reports of their service activities. The focus of the award was SI Crosby’s 5-year Lunt Meadows project. Education, biodiversity and archaeology all feature. Sriya Kulupana, Programme Action Officer, judged submissions from all the clubs in the region. In her estimation, SI Crosby’s partnership with the Wildlife Trust (Lancashire, Manchester & North Merseyside) is well structured, targeted and planned. It has ongoing benefits for the community, the environment - and club members themselves. Chris Smith, President of SI Crosby, was delighted to receive the trophy. In particular President Chris paid tribute to the club’s Programme Action Officer, Terry Francis, who has co-ordinated the project from the beginning. The award was a highlight

Crosby’s Soroptimists welcomed Mary Corbett of the Waterloo Partnership at a recent meeting. Mary gave an update to club members, This local charity is based in Waterloo (Merseyside) and supports sustainable development projects in its namesake community Waterloo (Sierra Leone). The original project was to fund the building of a library. Since then, the two-way contacts have enabled the community to express and itemise its own needs. The Sierra Leonean committee members liaise with their British counterparts to agree each initiative. This partnership working has, for example, enabled the community to build simple bridges to connect local facilities; to dig and maintain wells; and to set up a bakery and a motor mechanic service. It supplies seeds, tools and protective footwear to 150 women who farm on the ‘margins’. The Soroptimists know that education has been a core value of Waterloo Partnership. Mary explained that

Crosby’s Soroptimists have planted out over two hundred native wildflowers at Lunt Meadows. Club members tended the flowers from seed at home over several months. Varieties included ox-eye daisy, field scabious and ragged robin. The flowers are now strong enough to have a good chance of surviving in the wild. This is another example of SI Crosby’s ongoing partnership with the Wildlife Trust (Lancashire, Manchester & North Merseyside). The nature reserve at Lunt, near Crosby, is a haven for wildlife. The wildflower meadows are part of the Trust’s drive to enhance the experience for visitors, as well as to increase biodiversity. Chris Smith, President of SI Crosby, said: “This was a simple, practical way of working with the Wildlife Trust. We all really enjoyed contributing – in this small way – to our local environment.”