Sunday 11th June saw President Victoria Vernon and members of Soroptimist International of Tamworth celebrate the 75th Anniversary of our Club charter.
We were joined by family and friends, Tamworth Mayor, Councillor John Harper, Regional President Lyn Shiel and members of other Soroptimist International Clubs within the Midland Chase Region, as well as various local service organisations.
Soroptimist International of Tamworth was formed in March 1948. Since our inauguration we have supported many local, national and international charities, organisations and projects.
During the last Presidential year members have recycled items for various charities, helped provide nursery fees for an Afghan child, donated over two hundred books to Amington Heath Primary School for children to take home and given a cash donation for their school library, collected items for the Tamworth Foodbank and Tamworth Hygiene Bank and continued to support Tamworth Community Together by undertaking befriending phone calls to lonely residents every week. Internationally they sponsor a child in India through the Love the One charity.
As part of our celebratory event several other organisations received donations to support the work they do. Locally these included Home-Start Tamworth, Tamworth Samaritans, Tamworth Talking Newspapers and Heart of Tamworth Community Project. Internationally these included a donation to continue their Ugandan Education Bursary. This project has been ongoing since 2003 by first sponsoring two girls education, then supporting the building of a school and the running of it and recently it has helped provide a small boarding facility for girls who were having to walk to and from school in the dark.
Speaking about the event President Vicky said “she was very proud to wear the chain of office in the club’s 75th year. The women work hard to help both local , national and international charities. Our focus this year is ‘Empowering women in a changing world’, if you share our values please come and join us, you will find a warm welcome.”
Our newest member, Janine said “So many special women, some I have crossed paths with in my lifetime. Others I cannot wait to chat with. What has happened since I became a new member of Soroptimist Tamworth, is I feel I have become part of a sisterhood. Amazing to hear of achievements locally in support of women and their families’.”