S I Wakefield joined forces with S I Dewsbury to take part in the “Wear it Pink Day” in Ossett to support “Breast Cancer NOW”. We delivered Pamphlets and Collection Boxes to the Local Shops and we also had a Cake Stall and Teddy Bear Tombola at the Friday Market. We raised £300 on the day but with the Collection Boxes the Grand Total was £891.42
On Thursday, 23rd July, our members held a Friendship Evening at The Holmfield Arms, Wakefield. A relaxing was to enjoy a pleasant meal and the company of Members and their Guests. We also had the presentation of Long Service Award Certificates. Janet Sykes 50 years, Cynthia Speeden, Maureen Poulson and Eileen Farley 40 years, Marjorie Beardsell 35 years, Mary Lindley 30 years (absent on the Evening) and Anne Wood 25 years. A great way to end the Evening.
Our Yorkshire Regional President held a social day in Richmond and five of our Club enjoyed catching up with Angela and members of Richmond Club who were our hosts for the day. As well as socialising (and eating cream scones) we were given a tour of the Georgian theatre which was built in 1788 and is the oldest working theatre in its original form in Britain and possibly Europe. We also went to the Richmondshire Local History Museum which was the brain child of Soroptimists from Richmond. This was a fascinating treasure trove, including a set from ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ and a Chemist shop fittings. Both worth a visit!
Pupils of Stanley Grove school hand over backpacks to Wakefield Soroptimist Jane Walton. The backpacks have been collected and filled with essential items to be distributed to children in Africa by charity Mary’s Meals https://www.marysmeals.org.uk/?pl=GB enabling them to attend school and improve their life chances.
Two of our members joined Rotary’s Kids Out event on 10 June, taking a party of children from Kingsland School Wakefield to Lightwater Valley Theme Park. Rotary Clubs from all over Yorkshire joined forces to give 600 children and their teachers and carers a special day out.
On 19 April 2015 three of our members joined about 170 walkers supporting Rotary’s annual Navigation Walk to raise funds for local hospices. This was the first outing of the Club’s brand new fleeces – very smart!
Our Members had an idea to raise money for Water Aid with the inspirational motto “1p 2p”. Dirty Water and the lack of Safe Toilets are among the Top Five Killers of Women Worldwide. Since the start of the New Year our Members have raised £215.40 by spending a penny everytime they spent a penny. This was presented to Geoff Roberts (Water Aid Representative) after an informative Speech at our 81st Charter Luncheon on Sunday, 22nd March 2015, which was also World Water Day. Our Guests included Yorkshire President Elect, Liz Lyle and the Mayor and Mayoress of Wakefield.
Let’s Dance for NSPCC Wakefield’s very own twinkle-toed Soroptimist Annette and her dance partner Mark performing at the NSPCC’s ‘Let’s Dance’ recently. S I Wakefield was amongst the sponsors for this event and over £16,000 was raised for the charity that night.
SI Wakefield are working with Mary’s Meals a social enterprise based in Scotland that works with organisations to provide children in developing countries with backpacks and items which will enable them to attend school. A pilot was run in July with Stanley Grove school. Jane Walton, SI member and a governor at the school, visited school and spoke to pupils in Year 6 about the project asking them to consider donating their backpacks and items such as pencils, paper and other stationery items. As a result a number of pupils made donations. This was covered by the Wakefield Express and local schools were encouraged to join the project which will continue until the New Year in order to take advantage of backpacks being donated post Christmas. pencils and notebooks.
SI Wakefield President Marjorie Wilde hosted a coffee morning at her home on the 26th September to raise money for Macmillan Nurses in Wakefield. Fifty people attended the event buying coffee, cakes, plants and mystery bottles raising £1250 in the process. The event was covered by the Wakefield Express .
