What wonderful weather to celebrate SI Carlisle’s 75th birthday with Soroptimists from several neighbouring clubs. A relaxed day included, of course, fantastic food at The Shepherd’s Inn followed by two interesting speakers.  President Alison Jary proudly introduced the celebrations by saying that their aims today are the same as in 1941 to Educate, Empower & Enable women and young girls. Starting with working with wounded soldiers and their families during the war years to more recently fund raising for Mary’s Meals and supporting the many flood victims in Cumbria. Emma Porter, Cumbrian Community Foundation, updated us with the support and help given to Cumbrian flood victims, with devastating floods in 2010 and 2015 with the main focus on helping rebuild communities coupled with supporting the emotional well being of community members.  Let us not forget that 1,500 are still not back in their own homes!

Soroptimists from Northern England, including three from our club, participated in a successful workshop on UK Parliament. Thank you to Margaret Clark APD (Assistant Programme Director) Advocacy for organising this empowering workshop on Lobbying and Campaigning. Lynn Hobson (Parliamentary Outreach) delivered a very successful UK Parliament workshop at the Holiday Inn Scotch Corner. Representatives from National Council of Women and Business and Professional Women were present also. Soroptimists were very encouraged and empowered to take their issues further and progress, raising awareness, advocating and enabling women.

SIP SIP Soroptimist International Put Silver in for NEPACS. As an ogoing fundraising activity members took some jam jars to fill with 5p,10p, 20p and 50' coins to create a waterfall of silver. Club member Sue fulfilled a lifetime's ambition and has bought a camper van!! HOW MANY SOROPTIMISTS CAN YOU FIT IN A CAMPER VAN - Watch this space for the 'transformation' and potential SOROPTIMISTS IN A VAN challenge!

http://www.nepacs.co.uk/  

Club members, President Anne, Carol, Linda and Louise raise £670 for St.Oswalds Hospice. Limbering up............... .....and off we go along with an estimated 1000 others walking in memory of loved ones. ............through the lantern lit woods. ... to be greeted at the end with our wonderful Northumbrian Pipes.

For the 4th year Soroptimist International members travelled to Ascot Lady's Day at Crathorne Hall, Yarm to support the 'We can dance' Charity. A buck's fizz reception was followed by lunch. A televised coverage of the afternoon's racing programme was enjoyed by over 80 women who raised nearly £1000 to provide dance workshops for disable young people. SI Tynemouth, Whitley Bay & District member, Linda Johnson won '' The Most Elegant Lady Of The Day '' Shirley Hallam introduced her niece to Soroptimism.

President Anne, Rosemary Webb and Shirley Hallam enjoying afternoon tea at Lumley Castle to celebrate our Regional President Suzanne Brown's year of office.