The Programme Action group for Healthcare and Food Security has been busy looking after clients from the Whitechapel Centre for the Homeless. When the clients were taken into temporary accommodation at the beginning of the lockdown, club members responded to requests for TV sets, suitcases, toiletries and cleaning buckets. With additional sponsorship from B and Q and two members of staff at Home Bargains, we were able to supply 30 toiletry bags for the women, 20 suitcases, seven TV sets, and 35 buckets with cleaning materials. We also supplied four women with sewing machines too. Now that clients are being moved into more permanent accommodation, we have donated 45 bags of store cupboard food as starter bags. Well done everyone- a great team effort!

Two of our members, Sharon and Lynne, didn’t let the lockdown deter them from each accomplishing a marathon fundraiser! Sharon braved the River Mersey in an open water swim of 2.7 km in 40 minutes,  to fundraise for President Anne’s charity, Stop the Traffik Liverpool. Sharon raised over £400 and Anne was delighted! Lynne joined Alder Hey’s marathon walk to fundraise for children’s mental health. Lynne walked over 200 miles herself before her ankle caused problems, but thanks to family and friends, her milestone of 250 miles was achieved! Congratulations on raising £1027.50 for the charity! A fantastic effort on behalf of others!

As President Mary’s year drew to an abrupt end in March, thanks to the Coronavirus, the club were able to complete some  of their projects  just in time,before  beginning  new ones from home, while  under lockdown. The Healthcare group completed the first set of cleaning materials and buckets for service users from the Whitechapel Centre who were being moved for safety into temporary accommodation. WoW bags (Women of Whitechapel) with toiletries were also distributed just in time! Then members began to work from home.Pictured is Maureen’s knitting for her local maternity wing and she also made ear comforters for staff who have to wear masks at all times!

President Mary hosted our annual International Lunch to coincide with International Human Rights Day on 10th December.Chief guests were the Lord Mayor Cllr. Anna Rothery and Regional President, Mrs Yvonne Gibbons. Guests enjoyed the candle-lighting ceremony at the beginning of the meal and the wonderful entertainment by the Liverpool Signing Choir at the end.Monies raised at the lunch were shared between the SIGBI International Project “Empowering Girls in Nepal” and Water Aid.

In May 2019, Channel 5 featured a documentary about the effects of the May Blitz on Liverpool in 1941. One of the heroines featured was Gertrude Riding who was the matron at Mill Road Maternity Hospital and a member of SI Liverpool.On the night of 8th May, the hospital took a direct hit, many losing their lives. Gertrude was badly injured and lost the sight of one eye but together with a Senior doctor, she bravely set about assisting in the rescue of those trapped in rubble, for which she was awarded an OBE. Gertrude was our club President from 1948-49, by which time she had moved to the children’s hospital as matron of Alder Hey.We are very proud of her!  

92 years after our club received its charter, President Dorcas hosted a celebratory lunch at Woolton Golf Club in February. Guests included Dame Lorna Muirhead and her husband, Regional President Sue Underwood, President Pam Wright of SI St Helens and her husband . Dame Lorna was the guest speaker and gave an hilarious account of her life as a mid-wife at Oxford Street Maternity Hospital and her role as Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside. We were delighted to welcome Presidents and members from SI clubs Bootle, Crosby, St.Helens, Widnes and Heswall as well as friends and family of members of SI Liverpool. The meal and venue was excellent. Happy 92nd Birthday SI Liverpool!

Christmas 2018 was made just a little bit better for children and families across the city, thanks to the generosity of club members. Annabel James sends her thanks to members for the toys donated to her charitable trust. The Trust was able to distribute boxes of toys to 142 children in need. The club has supported her work for several years now and is very much appreciated. Gifts were also taken by President Dorcas and Sue Woods to the six families who are cared for by Amadudu. A donation too was given to our long-standing partner Centre 56.  Club members who went to the regional meeting in November raised over £120 for our charities from regional Soroptimists,  selling small gifts and books wrapped as Christmas stocking fillers.