Good Morning Sister Soroptimists
I really hope that you are all keeping safe as we approach the fifth week of Lockdown?
During the past week, we have seen the daily death total in the UK from Coronavirus rise to the high hundreds and we are hearing some heartbreaking stories daily.
My sincere condolences go to anyone in our organisation who has seen tragedy recently.
In these challenging times, the quality of every moment becomes important.
There has also been the joyous story of the extraordinary Captain Tom Moore, who has completed 100 laps of his garden and has raised the unbelievable sum of £23 Million for the NHS, although between me writing this and you reading it, the total will no doubt be increased! What an amazing achievement for a gentleman approaching is centenary!
Thank you to all who have contacted me after last week’s email message. It has been a delight to speak to some of you and receive messages from others.
I am pleased to hear what you have been doing during the emergency and I would like to share some activities with you here:
• SI Cockermouth members have responded amazingly well to the emergency and Lindsay is co-ordinating a ‘SCRUB HUB’ in West Cumbria for managing sewing and delivering scrubs. This allows NHS organisations and individuals to ‘order free of charge’. The scrubs are being pre-cut by an organisation called ATOM. Six members are sewing and two others helping with volunteer co-ordinating, delivery and logistics.The Laundry Bag supply from SI Cockermouth and their Linked Members from the former Whitehaven Club, number well over 60 delivered to West Cumbria Hospital.
• In addition 90 mask expanders [to stop sore ears] have been made and supplied. In addition, Calderwood House for Homeless were recipients of 4 large bags of toiletries, towels, razors and clothing etc. Cockermouth members are to be congratulated on this magnificent effort – what a Programme Focus Report this is going to be! Thank you to Jane Inman for keeping in touch and keeping me up to date.
• I saw on Facebook that SI Darlington members are donating a supply of sheets to be made into laundry bags. What a great idea! That’s something we can all do during our clear outs!
• SI Newcastle upon Tyne members have given cash donations to the two Food Banks in the City and those who are able to go shopping are also donating food items in the collection points in local supermarkets. Some of their members have registered as NHS Volunteers to call isolated people to chat and check in on them.
• SI Middlesbrough collected 50 Easter Eggs for a local charity – The Bungalow Partnership – which provides specialist therapeutic support to children and their families who have experienced trauma and emotional distress. Fortunately Pam and Marianne were able to make the delivery before Lockdown.
You may have seen in Friday’s SIGBI News Briefing, reference to THE BIG STORY . SI Middlesbrough has taken up the challenge to support our Federation Project – ‘Empowering Girls in Nepal’. Are any other clubs doing likewise? Check it out, it may be something to occupy you in the coming weeks.
Please let me know if there is anything you want me to report on your current activities, I do look forward to hearing from you, even if it just to say ‘Hello’.
Just a couple of business matters to leave you with:
Club Secretaries will be receiving a ballot paper for the election of SINE’s Federation Consultative Councillor [2020 -22]. Margaret Clark will have served the Region in this role for 2 years in October and has put her name forward to do a further 2 years. She is the only nomination and I hope you will vote to support her. The closing date for receipt of completed ballot papers is 5 June 2020.
Further Club Ballots for Federation elections 2020 came to clubs on 17 April 2020. These also need you attention and should be returned by 30 June 2020.
As I did my solitary walk early this morning, [cool but with lovely sunshine], I was sad to see that the daffodils were now all finished and also the magnificent Magnolia Tree round the corner had shed all of its velvety petals. But now we are blessed with the beauty of Cherry and Apple blossom. The birds are singing and all seemed quite normal except we know that it is far from normal!
Until next week, STAY SAFE, STAY PUT AND KEEP WELL
In Friendship,
Joyce
SINE PRESIDENT
Photographs show what SI Cockermouth have been producing and Doreen Bertram displaying one of the bags made for nurses uniforms. Also SI Middlesbrough and their Easter Egg donations.