We have been out collecting again in our annual support for the Royal British Legion by selling Poppies. Thanks to Marks & Spencer at Warrington Gemini retail park for allowing us to do our bit on 30th October! We raised £162.05 this year.
Warrington Soroptimists recently partnered with the Warrington branch of the Charity Early Essentials https://sites.google.com/site/earlyessentials2/ to provide a “Moses Basket” full of items for needy mums who are struggling to provide the basics for their newborn child. In addition to a lovely lined wicker basket, the Club donated a baby bath and other essentials such as nappies, wipes, baby clothes, soap and shampoo, bathing sponges, etc. The pack also included items for the new Mum as well, with personal hygiene items such as sanitary towels, shower gel, deodorant, not forgetting a box of chocolates too!
Radio Warrington (http://radiowarrington.co.uk) is a volunteer-run Community Radio station based in Warrington Market. It was set up in 2007 to offer local people, including disadvantaged or disabled individuals, an opportunity to get involved with a 24-hour radio station and learn associated broadcasting skills. As a not-for-profit organisation, it relies for its funding on monthly subscriptions and support from local community-minded businesses. Following SI Warrington’s appearance on the Culture Show in November 2018, the Club decided to help the station in its fantastic work and has donated two new microphones and a set of headphones – much needed equipment to replace failing kit. Said Andy Green, who anchors the Culture Show together with his co-presenter Brian Spooner: “Radio Warrington is committed to promoting all that is good about the town. We care about our community and as well as broadcasting local discussion programmes and traffic news, we carry out
Toilet Twinning is now a well-known charity (https://www.toilettwinning.org) and SI Warrington has been doing its bit to help in the charity’s aim: “Flushing away poverty, one toilet at a time.” So far, the Club has raised money for three toilets, at £60 a time in Malawi, Uganda and Nigeria.
Over the last 4 years, SI Warrington has been supporting Mary’s Meals (https://www.marysmeals.org.uk), an amazing charity which provides one meal a day to some of the world’s poorest children. Rucksacks for Mary’s Meals (Photo courtesy of Jackie Alexander, SI Warrington) The club has collected more than 50 rucksacks and filled them with everything a child needs to enable them to attend school (sometimes many miles walk away from home) including clothing and shoes, personal hygiene items and all the day to day requirements for learning. In addition, a monthly raffle at club meetings has raised in excess of £500 which has been donated to the charity. It costs just £13.90 to feed one child for a whole year; through Mary’s Meals, children not only receive a much needed meal but also an education which is so vital to their future well-being.
Twiddle Muffs! (Photo Courtesy of Liz Smith, SI Warrington) President Liz Smith has been hosting “Crafty Mornings” for SI Warrington members – monthly social get-togethers providing members with the chance to work on a variety of handicraft projects for organisations that we support. Two of our members have recently donated two dozen Twiddle Muffs (for use by Dementia Sufferers) and also two dozen baby blankets to Warrington Hospital. You don’t have to have a taste for handicrafts to join in – the sessions are open to anyone fancying a coffee and a natter!!!
Girls from Great Sankey High School demonstrating the #BalanceforBetter IWD pose (Photo courtesy of United Utilities plc) On 8th March 2019, SI Warrington celebrated International Women’s Day by collaborating for the second year running with United Utilities plc, putting on a STEM event for forty-five Year 9 girls from Warrington’s Great Sankey High School. The IWD theme of #Balance for Better was woven into the presentation of opportunities showcased by six companies: Unities Utilities, Jaguar Landrover, the Environment Agency, Wood plc, Atkins plc and Liverpool Clinical Laboratories. Three of the companies offered high-tech interactive experiences using Virtual Reality headsets and the feedback from the girls was excellent: “Brill experience – really, really enjoyed myself! I’ve also learned so much!” and “I am definitely considering [a career in STEM] more, as I now know more about the opportunities.” The day was followed up by a Project Day
2018 was the second year that SI Warrington members got together to sew clothes for Syrian refugees, living either in Syria itself or in camps in Greece. Our contribution this year was a total of 37 dresses, 4 skirts and 12 pairs of shorts! This project was organised in collaboration with Care UK Charity, which collects and distributes practical items and medical aid to people in need. End of line, unwanted or excess stock items are sorted, packed and loaded onto 40 ft containers at its Northwich Depot, which are shipped to the refugees in Syria, Greece, or the Greek Islands. The charity also supports both local people and refugees in the UK who are in need of practical help in setting up home. Our project coordinator for this initiative, Julia Blair, is pictured above holding one of the dresses and handing a cheque
Members of the Club turned out for Poppy Duty at M&S Gemini in Warrington on 7th November. We staffed tables at two of the entrances all day, and managed to collect more than £500, to contribute to the Royal British Legion coffers. “People have been so generous” was the response of our Poppy collectors – this is an annual effort for the club and each year we are gratified at the generosity of the public.
Soroptimism and the activities of SI Warrington were showcased on 8th November on local radio. Photo courtesy of Rhona Bowler President Elect Jackie Alexander (right) and Programme Action Officer Rhona Bowler (left) talked about the club’s past and current ventures and invited any local ladies interested in making a difference to the lives of women and girls to come along to the club and see how we operate.
