As regular readers will know, Soroptimists, globally and locally, work to give the opportunity of basic Health (clean water), Food, and Education to women and their children. This month's article links the two together.

Every year the President of our North West region chooses a charity, this year's president Tessa has chosen WaterAid. The major fund raising event will be a Fashion Show and Beauty evening at The Crofters Hotel Garstang in the Autumn.

Individual clubs also contribute through smaller club events; on Sunday the 26th July SI Garstang enjoyed a top quality gourmet lunch, hosted by one of our joint Presidents Nora, in her home and garden, with homemade savoury pies and salads, very naughty but delicious sweets, all washed down with wine or fruit juice – sunshine, laughter and friendship, what a great way to raise over £90.00 towards the Regional Presidents charity total.

Why WaterAid?

This charity has achieved an enormous amount over the years since its inception – piping fresh water to villages, saving women and children walking miles every day to collect water for their daily needs; it has provided villages with toilet blocks; presently it is working to provide schools with toilets for both boys and girls as it was noticed that girls’ education was halted once they reached puberty through lack of suitable toilet provision at school, this has now become one of its objectives and one which Soroptimists are keen to support.

Backpack Reminder

As your children, or grandchildren, change years, or schools, and maybe buy a new BackPack or school bag, please could you donate their old one to us to fill with basic school equipment for our Back Pack Project? (Details in the June edition).

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 10:00am – 2:00pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Or please ring the number below to arrange collection.

To find out more about S.I. Garstang or to meet us to share our interests please ring 01995 606604, go to our Facebook page and ’like’ what we do, or follow us on Twitter!

Muriel Burnham-Airey - Membership Officer