Saturday 8th March is International Women’s Day Soroptimists stand up for women and girls every day of course! However, this is a useful day to shine a light on inspiring and courageous women who should be celebrated, as well as a reminder that sex inequalities still exist around the world. To help us stand apart from all the activity on the day, a reminder of the work we do and our consistent approach to the rights of women and girls is important. According to the UN, “this year’s theme calls for action that can unlock equal rights, power and opportunities for all and a feminist future where no one is left behind. Central to this vision is empowering the next generation—youth, particularly young women and adolescent girls—as catalysts for lasting change.” #IWD #Soroptimists #standingupforwomenandgirls #volunteering

  Annette and Roberta held a sale in Roberta’s drive to raise money for Marie Curie. Items had been donated by members of our club and their friends and family. There is a primary school at the end of the road and the hope was that parents on their way home with their children would come to see what we had to sell. Unfortunately we didn’t sell as much as we hoped for, and on the second day we got rained off just after the school came out. We raised about £55 for Marie Curie and the items left over are being donated to charity shops and a library for a homelessness project. Some items will be sold online.           

On 17 June some members, as well as President Sally’s husband Andy, and Poppy the dog, went to Lochore Meadows – locally known as the Meedies – for a walk. The weather was a bit overcast and we feared rain, but we even managed to have a drink outside after our walks before it began to rain as we left. We started off with lunch in the cafe and when everyone had arrived we split into two groups. One walked around the loch and the other walked up one side of it, had a rest on a bench and then walked back.    

We were delighted to host a performance by Glenrothes Rock Choir recently. Held at St Bryce Kirk, with its wonderful acoustics, the choir had everyone tapping their toes, clapping their hands and joining in with well kent tunes. The evening raised £1,250 which will be passed on to our local Maggie’s Centre and other cancer charities working locally. Thank you so much to the Rock Choir, the audience and others who supported the event for a very enjoyable evening.   Our member, Audrey, singing her heart out on the back row!

On 28th September the club held a quiz at Foxtons Bar and Grill in Glenrothes in order to raise funds for Maggie’s Centre. John Goodall, husband of one of the members was the quiz master and devised a quiz which included music and picture questions. During the break the raffle was drawn and many quizzers were lucky. The winners of the quiz were Three Men and a Little Lady who won a voucher for a meal and a bottle of wine. Foxtons donated a bottle of Prosecco which was the second prize.                                                          Quizzers working on their answers