Welcome back. Meetings start again on 7th September. I hope everyone has enjoyed summer despite the heat that at times felt overwhelming. The Climate certainly seems to be changing. We may not of met during August but we certainly have been busy.
If you are not a member and are interested in finding out more about our Club and organisation email sihandd@hotmail.co.uk
Toilet Twinning in Wetherby
On the 25th July and I was delighted to meet the Mayor of Wetherby with Sue Williams and Heather Shipman to present the toilet twinning certificates that will be displayed in the public toilets at the town hall. We had great press coverage in the local paper too. A great start to our commitment to see Wetherby become a Toilet Twinned Town.
Dementia Forward Cheque Presentation
On the 2nd of August I was also delighted to meet up with Sandra Jowett and Lesley at the Dementia Forward centre in Burton Leonard to present a cheque to Jill Quinn (CEO) for £1400 raised from the wonderful concert and other events that have taken place. Thank you very much to Sue and Sandra and to all of you for all the work you are doing for our two lead projects. Fantastic news.
Supporting Food Banks and Resurrected Bites
Before I went away on holiday I delivered £100 of Toiletries and baby food to Resurrected Bites. Sandra J and Penny have also delivered similar amounts of requested items to the Salvation Army in Ripon and Harrogate and Knaresborough Food Bank. Unfortunately, the latest announcements about the cost of living and proposed massive increase in energy costs is likely to drive more people to food banks.
We have an author amongst us
My holiday reading included our own Sue Williams book, 5 Ladies and a bus called Bertha. They are a feisty group of ladies and an excellent read. Sue is donating any profits to our four main charities this year. Dementia Forward, Toilet Twinning, The Trussell Trust and Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland’s Benevolent Fund. Thank you very much Sue. I wish you well with the book sales. I have posted my review on Amazon.
A sad farewell
On return from my holiday I attended the funeral of Robin Johnston. My thoughts are with Elsie and her family at this sad time. Robin was a lovely man. He was a great supporter of our Club. An excellent Soroptimister. He will be sadly missed.
Afternoon Tea and Plant Sale
I know the club members have been busy too. Unfortunately, I was away for Sue Slocombe and her team’s fundraising garden party and plant sale. I can see on our Facebook page that it looks like everyone had a lovely time and raised £290 for Dementia Forward and Toilet Twinning. Well done Sue. I am sorry I couldn’t be there.
I also spent a lovely afternoon organised by Janet Morrow as Friendship Link Coordinator. The Friendship Link team do a fantastic job of keeping our links to Clubs in the USA, England, Scotand, Wales, Belgium, South Africa, Malawi and Japan going. What a lovely to way to get together with an afternoon tea.
Great North Run – Race Against Hunger
As some of you may know Maureen will once again be walking to raise money for the President’s charity. This time ‘Racing against Hunger’ in the Great North Run taking place on the 11th of September. All I can say to Maureen is wow and thanks. I hope we will all support Maureen.
Maureen has already raised thousands of pounds for President’s charities. Raising a fantastic amount in the Virtual Great North Runs in 2020/21
All the money raised will go to the Trussell Trust seeded Harrogate Food Bank. There are the sponsorship forms at our meetings and this is the QR code for easy access
I’m looking forward to the next few months as we take a trip to the Arboretum on the 24th September, kindly organised by Janet Hutton as well as a trip to Belfast to our first confederation conference for three years in October.
Val Hills
President
Soroptimist International of Harrogate and District