What is the best investment we can make?

The Health and Education of our children?

Mary’s Meals + Back Pack Project = A Bright Future

By providing a daily meal at a place of education, chronically poor children are attracted to the classroom, where they can gain a basic education that provides an escape route from poverty. Started in 2002 in Malawi feeding 200 children, it now feeds over 1 million children around the world.

Backpacks are an essential part of this provision, kicking aside the poverty block of lack of clothes and materials that stands in the way of mental and physical nourishment for these children.

Garstang Soroptimists are fully committed to this project and have sent over 80 backpacks to date, however, like all collections we have an abundance of some items and very few of others!

Please would you search your cupboards and drawers for:-

Boys shorts/trousers Age 3 - 13.Girls tops and shirts/shorts Age 7 – 13.  Boys/Girls Flip Flops/Sandals Age 4 – 13, shoes size 11 to 8/9.

We also need: rulers, pencil cases, pencil sharpeners, soap, small towels (or larger ones we can cut up), toothpaste, and most importantly out grown or outmoded backpacks or cross the body school bags.

Drop Off/Collection

The Mustard Seed Fairtrade Shop has kindly agreed to act as our drop off point for backpack donations in Garstang. Opening hours are 10 – 2.00pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Or please ring the number below to arrange collection.

North West Soroptimists in Conference at the Marriott Hotel

With five excellent speakers addressing the theme ‘Vital Voices (women leading change)' Over 150 Northwest Soroptimists were informed, amused, challenged, and inspired on Saturday 16th May.

Conference Chair Mrs Judith Grocott led a seamless day, by first introducing SI Federation President Elect Margaret Emsley, member of SI Ashton-under-Lyne.

Margaret, a qualified civil and structural engineer, and presently Senior Lecturer at Manchester University, highlighted the lack of girls in the UK seeking a career in Science, Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) Britain has only 9% of females employed in this industry, whilst Spain has 18%, Sweden 26%, and Italy 20%. More info from SkirtingSciencesolihull@yahoo.co.uk   

RT HON Frank Field brought us up to date with his work on the Modern Slavery Bill. He is well known for his work as Director of the Child Poverty Action Group and gave in informative and stimulating presentation – taking many questions from the floor.

HER HONOUR Judge Pamela Badley - gave an interesting insight into the life of a Circuit Judge (who sits on criminal cases in the Crown Court), she explained some of the difficulties of dealing with women suffering from mental health issues and personality disorders.

We also enjoyed presentations from;

Sara Harraway – an Equity Director at CPMG, an architectural and interior design practice in Nottingham. Sara, was awarded ‘Nottingham Post Business Women of the Year’ in 2013.

Hannah Flynn - our final speaker of the day, posed the question ‘How can we keep our children safe on the internet?’ Her presentation was full of good advice and information.

Thank you for your help in our work.

If you are interested in our work come and join us as we start our new year – ring 01995606604 for all the details.  To view other work we are engaged in go to our Facebook page and ’like’ what we do, and follow us on Twitter!

Muriel Burnham-Airey - Membership Officer