19 November 2016 Members of the Region showed their support for the UNiTE campaign  “16 Days to Orange the World ” initiated by the UN covering Nov 25th – 10 Dec to symbolise a brighter future without violence.

SI Preston recently completed their annual Salvation Army project. We filled thirty Christmas gift bags with items for the local homeless.  Member, Sue Morris, spends much of each year looking for bargains and stocking towels, underwear, socks, deodorant, shower gel, toothpaste, toothbrushes and chocolate in her spare bedroom. This year the Community Co-Ordinator, Clare Hobson came to talk to the members about her position and thank everyone for their support. We know now that Christmas is just around the corner!   Karen Rainford (SI Preston)

Members of SI Preston  – along with the help of Penwortham Girls’ High School – collected over 700 pairs of shoes for the Angel Welfare and Education Trust. The Trust needs the shoes to help locals in Kenya fight Jigger Beetle infestation. Jiggers cause misery for millions of Kenyans. The tiny parasitic sand flies thrive in poor hygiene, and breed in the human body which can cause deformities and even death. It finds its way into the body via the bare foot so shoes are a blessing.  With 700 pairs, it was a stroke of luck that member Audrey Forster doesn’t use her garage as it is now storage for the shoes until they are collected and sent off to Kenya. Karen Rainford (SI Preston)

10th to 12th November – Malta 32 members from the Northwest England and the Isle of Man Region attended the 82nd Federation Conference in Malta. We enjoyed excellent speakers, networking, socialising, sightseeing and good weather. It was a chance to be inspired by the speakers and the work of other clubs. We were delighted that SI Grange were on the podium presenting “Singing for Memory” and SI Windermere were nominated for a Best Practice award with their “Samara’s Aid” project. Margaret Hammond handed over the Presidential chain of office to Angie Christopher at the Change of Insignia. Isabel Huggett (Grange-over-Sands) [new_royalslider id=”12″]

SI Rossendale sponsored the inaugural Enterprising Woman Award at the 2016 Rossendale Business Awards. News of the Award generated a huge number of entries from the local business community, a testament to the number of strong Enterprising women in the Rossendale Valley. President of Rossendale Soroptimists, Alison Driver, presented the winner, Christine Moffat from Headmasters in Waterfoot, with her winner’s trophy and certificate. Shortlisted finalists Alison Ashworth, Anita Kenyon and Dawn Mellors received Finalists’ Certificates from President Alison in recognition of the strength of their entry forms. Winner Christine Moffat will be attending the club’s Christmas meal in December where she will be presented with a certificate of honorary membership. Club members are looking forward to hearing Christine talk to them about her business and personal goals and the charitable fundraising her business does for Rossendale Hospice, the British Heart Foundation and Breast Cancer.