Spring is coming at last after a very wet and chilly few months. The weather hasn’t deterred us from getting on with our objective of improving the lives of women and girls. So what have we done?
January is a bit of a sleepy time – we meet on Zoom as the weather is unpredictable and some of our members travel on country roads from Nidderdale, Ripon, Wetherby and Boroughbridge. Zoom meetings are ideal as we can all stay safe and sound in our own homes – yet still get on with the business.
So what is our business – How do we improve the lives of women and girls?
January
In January, we took part in a Kindness Event to showcase how we support the local community. This included raising awarness about Food Banks, who uses them, the stigma attached and what a food parcel contains. Food poverty adversely affects the well being of children.
We also caused a bit of a stir when we highlighted our Smalls for All campaign. People were eager to find out more about our knicker and bra collections. We have had great success and also supported our local community as well as women and girls in Africa.
February
In December, working with Care in Action we provided Solar Lights, Powerbanks and Generators to families in Ukraine. The need was imminnent as the worst of winter set in. So members pumped primed the cost and fund raised restropectively including a great get together in February that raised £520 and another in March that raised over £500. This, along with other events and donations from other organsiations including Boroughbridge Lions meant that all expenses were covered. We also sent warm clothres and lots of wonderful hats knitted by Maureen. In January we recieved photos and letters from the people who received the items.
Quote from a thank you letter
There were lots of thanks in the letters – here is a quote from Tetyana Kolesnyk
‘It is difficult to find words to convey the depth of our gratitude
Your gift – a generator and lamps for lighting – has become a real salvaton for us in those moements when there is no light for 17 hours a day.
What you have done is not just technology. this is the warmth that has returned to our home.
This is the light that disperses the darkness when the windows turn black and it seems that our strength is at its limit.
This is the support that makes us feel that we are not alone.
Thank you for extending a helping hand in the most difficult time.
Your Kindness is priceless.
Your have given us not only light in the house, but also light in the heart.’
The February meeting provided a great opportunty to catch up with each other again face to face. Our ‘Bring a Tin’ collection produced that 30kg of tins, packets and warm hats delivered to Harrogate and District Food Bank. This included donations from West Tanfield Shop. There’s a 10% reduction in number of food parcels given out over the last year. This is attributed to the presence of Citizen’s Advice Bureau providing informtion on benefits and debt managment. – Key areas during the cost of living crisis.
Do you know what a Clinical Photographer does? – we found out at our Speaker meeting in February. Club member Carol Fleming gave a fascinating talk about the role. Carol, who is an Honorary Member of the Academy of Healthcare Science shared some interesting photos – some taken during the 19th Century that demonstrated how Clinical Photography supports, diagnosis, treatment and medical education. Also, how the digital age as changed the speed from when a photograph to when it is received by for clinical analysis. The post our Facebook page certainly stirred up some interest with over 1000 visits to our page.
March
International Women’s Day is on the 8th March. We posted regularly on Facebook and Instagram supporting the UN Women’s Campaign. There isn’t one country in the World where women are truley on par with men. In some countries their rights are even more constricted or under threat. The right to true equality is far from over.
We welcomed Lindsay Oliver to our speaker meeting in March, Lindsay is the CEO and Founder of New Beginnings, a charity that provides essential support to women who have escaped abusive relationships. Lindsay is well known to our Club, receiving our Woman in the Community Award in 2023. Lindsay says, ‘Domestic abuse affects all generations, ages and backgrounds regardless of their economic status. The impact can last a life time. It was good to hear how New Beginnings really is giving women and families a second chance.
April will see the start of the new Club Year. Our AGM takes place 15th April. We are looking forward to welcoming Heather Shipman as our new President.