At the Caledonian Club in London on March 24th, former SIGBI (Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland) Federation President, Kate Fussell received The Lady of Substance Award, sponsored by The Lady Magazine and author Barbara Taylor Bradford. The award was given in recognition for lifetime services to the community and doing inspirational and outstanding work in respect to women’s health, education and rights for women. As a female consultant surgeon, Kate Fussell was one of only five in the UK. She has ceaselessly championed improved health for women throughout her working life and into her retirement. During her career she was a pioneer into the research of breast cancer and the development of reconstructive surgery after mastectomy, she campaigned locally to establish a mammography unit. She has been influential in surgical education and helped to fund a health center in Africa, but no matter the

SI Wigan 2015 Charity Ball On Saturday March 14th 2015 SI Wigan held the Annual Charity Ball at the DW Stadium Wigan. It was attended by the Lord Mayor of Wigan and her consort, the MC for the evening was Dave Guest. A wonderful evening was had by all, with fantastic food, great music and dancing.The evening was supported by the local community, local business, family and friends.The money raised by the evening, the raffle and auction will be used for local, national and international charities that support promotion of health,women’s education and women’s empowerment in line with Soroptimist goals and objectives.     This was the last Charity Ball that has been organised by Joan Pye who led the Ball Committee. Over many years Joan has helped to organise successful Charity Balls that have raised thousands of pounds for SI Wigan’s chosen charities. Her efforts

In December 2014 SI Wigan members and friends donated 47 shoe boxes filled Christmas gifts and toiletries to the Brick Homeless Center in Wigan. This was welcomed by staff at the Brick Center and the boxes were distributed to clients who use the center over the Xmas period.

The Forgotten 10 Challenge is an annual event that runs for the first 10 days of December to raise awareness and to support those injured by conflict, landmines and cluster munitions. It is organised by Handicap international which provides limbs for amputees and helps to fund clearance of land mines. SI Wigan supported the campaign with a stand at Wigan Central Library on December 8th that raised awareness, and collected 63 signatures supporting the Lives and Limbs petition.

The award for Young Achiever 2014 was given to Georgina Morris at the Town Hall by the Deputy Mayor Cllr Susan Loudon on December 5th.She has achieved academic success, contributed greatly to Winstanley College life and was a well deserved winner of the award.. See also the Young Achiever page for information of previous winners.    

On November 24th SI Wigan held a meal and beauty evening for members and friends. The event was generously supported by Lancome Beauty Department staff from the Debenhams Department Store in Wigan who kindly donated raffle prizes and a very generous prize for the SI Wigan Charity Ball which will be held in March 2015.