In Aid of SI Karachi. Farah's annual Curry Night was, as usual, a popular and successful evening. Thanks and congratulations to Farah and friends for such delightful food.

We met at the Sportsman at Crosspool where everyone enjoyed the good company and food. A highlight was Jackie's distribution of favours - a nod to Valentine's day.

Laura Riley  (CEO of Mums in Need - MINS one of our President's charities) described the history of MINS from the touching personal circumstances that led to her recognition of a major problem area without support through setting up MINS, raising funding,  acquiring dedicated board members staff and volunteers to it's current situation - recognised by public bodies needing advice on this field. The charity has a waiting list of clients so is grateful to all sources of support. A most inspirational person.

President Daphne took pleasure in presenting the President-Elect regalia to Sue Godley.

Education; Education; Education – not a cry from a politician but from Soroptimists all over the world. Through our commitment to educate, empower and enable women and girls, we recognise that without proper education we will never address the gender balance and without that we will never achieve peace and development. The UN states that educating women and girls throughout their life will produce better health outcomes, fuel economic growth and ensure peaceful and stable societies. This involves a recognition that access to STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) are essential and without this there is no way we will achieve SDG’s 4 and 5 by 2030. Listening to the talks at the SIGBI conference in Belfast in October reinforced the importance of this focus. Leigh Ellwood Brown, SI Director of Advocacy, stressed that women at the present rate of progress would not achieve

Eva and Ann did a fantastic job organising donations from SI Sheffied; in kind or cash; into an extensive range of Christmas presents for WAS women and their children.

The Christmas Supper at Tapton was thoroughly enjoyed by all in spite of the inclement weather. Congratulation to the organisers. Photos by Daphne. Quote from President Daphne: Thanks (to Tapton Hall) for the enjoyable evening. The staff did a great job and my turkey was delicious.  Manager Bekki thanked us all for our continued support and wished us all a Happy Christmas  

Pictures by Sally. SI Sheffield members visit to Cutlers' Hall proved to be a memorable occasion. A generous and tasty afternoon tea was followed by an interesting and informative tour of the Hall guided by Beadle Richard. Thank you to President Daphne for organising such a successful outing.

£173.98 + £43.00 via Just Giving raised in aid of MIN (Mums in Need) Photos by Daphne. Congratulations to our current 'Share our Skills' (SOS) girls from King Edward vii School (KES) who raised funds for Mums in Need ( MIN) by organising a bun sale within the school. The girls managed the project, obtaining permits from the school, designing posters, sourcing cakes from Sheffield Soroptimists,  their families, and friends and manning the stall. Care was taken to list ingredients wherever possible to enable customers with dietary restrictions to make a safe choice. Income from the cake sale was supplemented by competitions - guess the Teddy bear name, and two guess the number of sweets in the jar in addition they set up a just giving site. So many skills used. Thanks to them and the SI Sheffield members who provided guidance, help and cakes.