SI Winchester and District held its charity afternoon tea on Saturday 25th July. The tea, which raises funds for Solar Aid has been held annually by the club for several years. Generously hosted by member Tref Mitchell, the tea takes place, under shade (an essential this year), in her beautiful garden. Tref is supported in her hard work by the club’s Solar Aid team of Ann Topp, Ellie Hill, Helen Porter and Gina Bird. This year, 27 guests sat down to the delicious tea, which never fails to delight newcomers as well as regular guests. We were particularly pleased to welcome Richard Turner Fundraising Director of Solar Aid who had travelled a good distance to be with us. Richard acknowledged the years of consistent support the club has given the charity. In turn we expressed our appreciation of updates from the charity. We have seen solar light provision extend from individuals, to home and clinic lighting, to villages and projected now onto whole districts. Richard also demonstrated the solar light construction kits. The club is interested in these as we seek to engage local schools in the project. We are pleased to report that the 2026 tea raised £565 for Solar Aid. The club has also started supporting Mayi Walas (the Sunny Mummies) through “lend with care”. These are the entrepreneur ladies who purchase the lights from the charity at a discount then market, sell and maintain them. To everyone who attended the tea thank you for helping us help other women move forward in their lives.
