Final Update on the Big Bra Hunt

Our final total of Bras, given by you our supporters and friends, stands at just under 600! A big ‘thank you’ to everyone.

Our hunt is now over, but if you should find a few more in the future please drop them off at any Oxfam shop, as the work at Frip Ethique is ongoing. Thank you.

Diamond Education Grant

This year Garstang Soroptimists have raised £750.00 for this Soroptimist Charity.

The purpose of this Fund, set up as a registered charity in 1977, is to make grants to help women to advance their education. The Fund Trustees concentrate on assisting recipients to update their skills, particularly after an unemployment break, or to acquire new skills, thereby improving their opportunities for employment and promotion. Applicants do not have to be Soroptimists (and usually are not); the only requirement is that they are female and resident in one of the countries of our Federation.

Applications for help come mainly from the United Kingdom, but also from Bangladesh, Mauritius, Nigeria, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Assistance was sought for courses as diverse as furniture upholstering to an MSc in primate conservation.

Grants totally £8,000 have now been awarded to 16 applications with the Committee concentrating on those applicants where the grants would make a real difference and where the prospects for a successful outcome were good.

Other Work

Soroptimists are not just about raising funds and supporting the poorer people in our world, we are also committed to raising awareness of women’s issues at home and abroad.

Under the heading of Health, this month I would like to highlight one of them.

Endometriosis this is a condition where cells like the ones lining the womb, are found elsewhere in the body - most commonly inside the pelvis, around the ovaries and fallopian tubes. The monthly hormonal cycle causes these cells to grow, break down, and bleed, but unlike those in the lining of the womb, there is no way for them to leave the body, this leads to inflammation, pain, and the formation of scar tissue.

What causes endrometriosis?

There are several theories but no proven causes.

What endometriosis is not:

It is not an infection

It is not contagious

It is not cancer

Can endometriosis be treated?

Yes, there are ways of managing the symptoms, the disease, and the pain and discomfort. For a fuller explanation of this condition visit their web site www.endometriosis-uk.org or send a request by email to info@endometriosis-uk.org or ring the helpline on 0808 808 2227.

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