Soroptimist International of Winchester & District recently took advantage of a charity offer from the Rick Stein restaurant in Winchester. This offer was an opportunity for charities to invite volunteers and supporters to enjoy coffee and cake in a friendly atmosphere. Treasurer, Julie Blackwell explained, ‘It’s a great opportunity for the club members to talk to visitors about our projects and create awareness of what we do, the more members we have, the more good we can do.’
The club took the opportunity to promote its awareness and advertised locally for ladies to visit and meet the members to show their projects, e.g. supporting the women’s Refuge in Winchester and Trinity Centre, lobbying Government for women’s rights and improvements to the Domestic Abuse Bill, not to mention many other projects in the UK and overseas with the aim of transforming the lives of women and girls.
The club were honoured to show the Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Vivian Achwal, and her husband the club’s projects. As part of Soroptimist International’s Centenary celebrations the club will be planting trees in the gardens of Winchester Hospice and the Trinity Centre. The action commemorates the project back in 1921 when the first California Soroptimists pledged to save the giant Redwood trees. They were successful in this and the trees prove that to this day – a true legacy.
