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Caroline Hawley
Caroline Hawley – Auctioneer and Antique Expert helps raise over £500 for Just ‘B’

Caroline Hawley – Auctioneer and Antique Expert helps raise over £500 for Just ‘B’

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  Raising funds for charity during lockdown is no mean feat.  That didn’t deter Soroptimist International of Harrogate and District’s President Sandra Frier. Looking for different ways to raise funds for her chosen charity Just ‘B’ Sandra approached regular Flog It and Bargain Hunt  expert Caroline Hawley. Would Caroline be interested to give a Zoom  presentation about her life as an auctioneer and TV regular? We were very happy when she said yes.  So, on Friday 14 May Caroline delighted us with her presentation that was both humorous and demonstrated her passion and knowledge. She also valued objects submitted by our guests and took questions.  A brilliant night with more than £500 raised for Just ‘B’.  Just ‘B’ is part of North Yorkshire Hospice Care working closely with Saint Michaels and Heriot Home Care. It provides bereavement services locally and nationally, So what did we learn?

Maureen at the end of the Virtual North Run
Club News – Just ‘B’ Just Giving Page now live

Club News – Just ‘B’ Just Giving Page now live

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JUST ‘B’ JUST GIVING PAGE We now have the exciting development of creating our Just Giving page with Just ‘B’. Just Click on Just B or follow the link below.  This will take you straight through to the page. Be assured that all money donated will go to supporting Just ‘B’ and its work in the community. Watch the youtube video about us and why we are supporting them. Please feel free to pass the link and this information on to friends and family. We have already raised more than £2000.  Help us reach our target of £3500. You will help support bereaved families. https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/SoroptimistssupportJustB

‘Forgotten Women’ – Dr Kathleen Rutherford Remembered on International Women’s Day

‘Forgotten Women’ – Dr Kathleen Rutherford Remembered on International Women’s Day

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International Women’s Day -  Forgotten Women Dr Kathleen Rutherford M.B.E Harrogate Civic Society Heritage Plaque for Dr Kathleen Rutherford MBE   Forgotten Women In  2019 Soroptimist International of Harrogate and District Club received an email from journalist Nicky Harley. Nicky’s mission is to increase the number of women recognised by a Blue Plaque by bringing attention to the ‘Forgotten Women’ -  well known during their lifetime but often forgotten since.  One of these women was Dr Kathleen Rutherford MBE. A name well known to the Club as one of the founding members in 1933 and first President but there was little known about the person. Doing our research Using the information provided by Nicky, Club member Rachel Richardson’s research revealed a whole lot more. This  includes a Yorkshire Television Calendar programme made in 1970 about her life.  Dr Kathleen, recognised as being a ‘Legend in
The tent in the garden
Sleep Out for Homelessness

Sleep Out for Homelessness

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SLEEP OUT FOR HOMELESSNESS – EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A HOME Many young people are now homeless. Everyone should have a home. Club member Heather Shipman braved the freezing weather to experience what it is like to be homeless. A tent in her back garden was her only shelter of the night of what was the coldest night of the year so far.  Heather is raising awareness and funds to support the two charities, Carecent and SASH . Carecent is a Breakfast Centre in York for homeless, unemployed and socially excluded people.  SASH's aim is to prevent youth homelessness in North and East Yorkshire. Heather sleeping in the tent Heather thanked all her Soroptimist friends on behalf of herself  and the organisers  who are aware of all the support that has come from Soroptimists.  They have asked that Heather pass on their special thanks to everyone for
Burns Night Fundraiser
Zoom Burns Night raises £240 for Just ‘B’

Zoom Burns Night raises £240 for Just ‘B’

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January is a dreary month. Raising money for charity when we have to social distance can be a challenge. But this did not deter President Sandra and club members. We had  fun and laughter as we celebrated the life of Robbie Burns and raised £240 for Just ‘B’. Guest Kevin Millar addressed the Haggis in true Scottish style. Our Burns supper was a special treat with the fantastic support of the French Chef at Home’s takeaway. So we tucked into our Haggis, Neeps and Tatties as well as a super shortbread pud. After supper, Soroptomister Jonathan, a regular band member with the Dark Horse Ceilidh Band , played the accordion as we sang (on mute of course) My Love is Like a Red Red Rose. Lesley entertained us as she spoke about the life of Robbie –  and discovered he’d popped down to Yorkshire!! Club members

Evil Covid Fairy
Club Alternative Christmas Zoom Party and Pantomime – Oh yes it is!

Club Alternative Christmas Zoom Party and Pantomime – Oh yes it is!

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Every Christmas we have a fun Christmas Party with good food and entertainment.  Its’ a grand social event attended by most of our members. This year President Sandra and Chief Elf Liz wondered what we could do, #covid19 loves a party!  Zoom is now the way we meet.  How do we make it happen? Memories of previous parties with games, recitals and performances didn’t seem possible. But, nothing is impossible.  What about a pantomime asked President Sandra? So our ertwhile writer Sue looked through our archives and found Snow White and the Seven Soroptimists. Chief Elf Liz chatted up her neighbour and musician friend Tom. Club members ‘volunteered’ for roles in the panto or to talk about their most memorable Christmas. Our techy member  and Zoom admin Val was asked how it could work. And so began the planning of our 2020 Christmas Party. Pantomime

Saint Michael's Hospice Care for Christmas
Supporting Saint Michaels and ‘Just B’ Christmas Appeal – Care for Christmas

Supporting Saint Michaels and ‘Just B’ Christmas Appeal – Care for Christmas

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This year, the year of the Covid Pandemic, shops around the UK have closed their doors for much of the year. The impact on the charity shops, one of the main sources of income for many charities, has been significant. Not just on over the counter sales but also with regard to their volunteer workforce –  many of whom are over seventy. ‘Just B’ at Saint Michael’s Hospice is our President Sandra charity for 2020/21 So how do we help? ‘Care for Christmas’ is the our local hospice Saint Michael’s campaign to help raise funds.. Every £1 you raise will help people living with terminal illness and bereavement, this Christmas and beyond. You can donate directly to Saint Michael’s at  this Just Giving page Saint Michael’s Hospice Care for Christmas

Maureen at the end of the Virtual North Run
Virtual Great North Run – Maureen runs for Saint Michael’s Hospice and Just B

Virtual Great North Run – Maureen runs for Saint Michael’s Hospice and Just B

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The cancellation of the Great North Run didn’t stop Club Member Maureen from running. Mapping a route through the streets of Harrogate she took part in the Virtual Great North Run on the 13th September. Maureen completed the 13.1 miles in record time. Club members waited on the Stray to greet her. All the money raised will go to Club President Sandra Frier’s chosen charity. Saint Michael’s Hospice and Just ‘B’ provide support for those who have life limiting conditions and their loved ones. Just ‘B’ provide an excellent bereavement service. Maureen has completed a number of Great North runs over the years. This is her first virtual one. Perfect weather conditions coupled with the quiet early morning traffic made sure there was no delays. She completed the Half Marathon in 2 hrs and 59 minutes. We are delighted to announce that Maureen has so far

Iris Newbould with SIGB President Sue Williams
Up in the skies and down to earth – Club members attend Yorkshire Conference

Up in the skies and down to earth – Club members attend Yorkshire Conference

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Club members spent a fantastic day at the Yorkshire Air Museum when we attended the  Soroptimist International of Yorkshire Conference on 29th June. The theme of conference was, ‘From Behind the Scenes to the Front Line’. We were privileged to hear from Iris Newbould, now 94 yrs old and full if vim, and her life as young Land Girl. WW2 like WW1 opened up job opportunities for women. Corporal Katherine Height gave us an insight into what’s life like now for a woman serving in today’s RAF.   The 29th June is Armed Forces Day. and at 12.10 a Hurricane provided a Fly Past tipping it’s wings on the 3rd Approach. So emotional. It reminded us of all the sacrifices Iris’s generation made ‘just doing our job’ to give us a future. Excellent representation from SI Harrogate & District  with 14 members attending and nearly all

Club is delighted to win the Yorkshire Women Volunteer Award

Club is delighted to win the Yorkshire Women Volunteer Award

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The Club is delighted to win the Yorkshire Women Volunteer Award for its community service project to combat loneliness. For the last 17 yrs.  we have worked with Contact the Elderly.  The Club Service Project, led by Elsie Johnston in Harrogate  and Wetherby and Tricia Chapman in Ripon, involves Club members and other volunteers hosting tea parties once a month usually in their own home. Other members give lifts to pick up the  elderly lonely people referred to us by Contact the Elderly to and from tea parties. The guests tell us how much they look forward to their afternoon treat and often leave with goody bag for a little something extra later.   (Corporate Category) We were delighted to meet up with all the individuals and groups who are involved in making a difference to the lives of others at the Award Ceremony held