Our Work Archive 2010 - 2011

President, Linda Johnson, has identified her programme action of service under the following headings :-

Economic & Social Development
Education
Environment
Health
Human Rights
International Goodwill and Understanding


Christine Lumsdon, Working with Mother Teresa. After Qualifying as an Occupational Therapist in 1964 Christine applied to the Voluntary Service Overseas and was sent to the "Cheshire Mission for the relief of Suffering " in India. These included Mother Theresa's homes as well as the Cheshire Homes and the Sue Ryder projects. It was during her weekend voluntary work at the "Shishu Bahvan " homes that she met Mother Theresa. It was during her second year in India that Mother Theresa transferred six of her children and asked Christine to establish a new children's home in North West Bengal near Asansol. Christine ran the home for a year before returning home to the UK in 1967.

		Left to Right Christine Lumsdon, speaker "Working with Mother Teresa". Linda Johnson, President Margaret Alderson, Secretary. Linda thanked Christine for her informative talk and slide presentation.

Maureen Hogg from the People's Kitchen Newcastle upon Tyne. Maureen has been visiting the club for many years and gave us an update on the work being achieved by their volunteers in Newcastle upon Tyne. She has always appreciated the gifts of tinned food, hats, gloves and scarves at Christmas. In addition in 2009 club members donated blankets, soap and packs of toothbrushes and toothpaste. Maureen said that with the addition of a shower the people attending the centre could take the opportunity to use it. However, it was members Christmas cards that had impacted on those attending the People's Kitchen and Maureen told us the story of one gentleman who was delighted to receive his card because, "no one ever sends me a card, it's my first Christmas card ever." Further to this a successful card making group has been well attended by both men and women. Maureen was pleased to receive a further 50 packs of toothbrushes and toothpaste. President Linda hopes to be able to repeat this at the Christmas Collection.

		President Linda Johnson (on the left) presents Maureen Hogg(second from the right) with 50 packs of toothbrushes and toothpaste for the People's Kitchen in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Summer Social To close the first part of her Presidential Year, Linda Johnson held a social evening at Tynemouth Golf Club. It also enabled members to celebrate the 100th birthday of ex-Soroptimist member, Kathleen Miller. Kathleen had agreed to attend little realising that she was the VIP guest. Programme Action officer Shirley Hallam acted as chauffeur for the evening and brought the guest into a crowded room and surprised some of the members who had not realised that she was able to attend. Kathleen was seated with friends, ate a hearty meal and had to "dragged away" at 9.45pm. Photographs were taken and a copy delivered to her home a few days later. President Linda presented her with flowers during the evening. Kathleen thanked President LInda for the invitation and said, "I have thoroughly enjoyed my meal and the friendship has been overwhelming. Now I remember why I became a Soroptimist".

		President Linda Johnson presents Kathleen Miller with flowers to celebrate her 100th birthday. Shirley Hallam, Programme Action Officer looks on.

Pink October starts in August in Whitley Bay "Foamy Fest" organiser Danny Allott is donating over £480 pounds from the event to Shirley Hallam, Programme Action Officer Soroptimist International Tynemouth, Whitley Bay and District. Danny organised a fancy dress surfing competition after the huge success of last year's event in memory of his sister, Angela Frazer from North Shields who died two years ago following a long battle with breast cancer. Lesley Allott and her family decided to give the monies raised to Shirley Hallam, Programme Action Officer SI Tynemouth, Whitley Bay and District for all her efforts in raising awareness of this killer disease and being short listed as one in three fundraisers of the year 2009. Lesley said " Breast Cancer Campaign - researching the cure is our chosen charity and when we heard that Shirley was willing to give up her time to help us with T shirts, collecting cans and banners, we were delighted. Only an hour since she returned from Scotland Shirley arrived on the beach and stayed until after 8.30, adding to the fun of the evening and taking photographs. We feel that it is only right that her commitment to her voluntary service as a Soroptimist is recognised." Shirley leaped for joy when she received the news of the donation and the fact that this money will be be the first fundraising activity before the "town is back in the pink for October" . She said, " I was overwhelmed by their generosity. I was only too happy to be on the beach with Danny and his family and friends enjoying the coastline, supporting a healthy safe sport with surfers and the RNLI. I hope this will become an annual fun event. However, I was there to celebrate the life of Angela Frazer who is missed but not forgotten!" Linda Johnson, President of SI Tynemouth, Whitley Bay and District will receive the cheque at a presentation at Tynemouth Golf Club on Monday 13 September 2010 at 7.30pm. "The Red Seals" will be the guest speakers for the evening. Why not come along to this Open Evening and find out more about their work and meet members of this worldwide organisation for women?

		Shirley Hallam, ambassador for Breast Cancer Campaign - researching the cure congratulates Danny Allott on his successful "Foamy Fest" fancy dress event that raised over £480.

		Look what Shirley Hallam found on the beach at Tynemouth! Is it a jelly fish? Danny Allott wears fancy dress for his "Foamy Fest" event in memory of his sister Angela Frazer.

President Linda Johnson, Soroptimist International Tynemouth, Whitley Bay and District welcomes elected Mayor Linda Arkley and Councillor Les Miller to the launch of Paint the Town Pink at Waves Leisure Pool on Saturday 2 October 2010. A number of events and activities have been organised by Programme Action Officer Shirley Hallam working in partnership with Whitley Bay. North Shields, Wallsend Chambers of Trade, local libraries, retailers in Monkseaton and Tynemouth, and NHS North of Tyne CC - Cancer Team. Organisers of the event with Elected Mayor Linda Arkley, Councillor Les Miller and reception staff at Waves Leisure pool at the launch of Paint the Town Pink in North Tyneside during October. Saturday 9 October Earsdon Nursery will be selling pink pansies in their new café and throughout October. £1.00 donation form every six pack sold. "No Rock and Roll lingerie shop on Park View will be giving discount vouchers when they host a bring your bra day to launch their month long support of Breast Cancer Campaign - researching the cure. Saturday 16 October Whitley Bay Football Club have permission from the Northern League and will turn out in pink for their match against Benfield. There will be a can collection for Breast Cancer Campaign - researching the cure. Sunday 17 October The Pink Pearl Auction will be held for the second year at the Trojan Rooms, South Parade, Whitley Bay. Following "Animal Antics" presents. I'm a Silly Billy Get Me Out of Here!" Animal Fun with a twist or 2!" an Auction with a difference and music from The Union.Tickets £5 available by using the Contact Us page To show their support, Staff at the Council offices in the Quadrant will be wearing pink on Friday 29 October 2010. Best dressed Pink Window in Whitley Bay will be judged during the last week of October and results on Saturday 30 October.








President Linda Johnson Soroptimist International Tynemouth, Whitley Bay and District and members marked International Peace Day by visiting the Panama Dip in Whitley Bay to remember local school teacher Doris Ewbank. They created a circle of peace and read the 2007 Soroptimist International Convention Peace Pledge before handing out the declaration tied with a ribbon, a symbol of the bonds of friendship that bind them together and reminding them of their responsibility to preserve freedoms and to be peacemakers. For more information please send your request using the Contact Us page of this website or www.soroptimist-gbi.co.uk. President Linda tied a bow in remembrance of Doris Ewbank, who gave her life as a volunteer ambulance driver in the heavy bombing of North Shields in April 1941.



Programme Action Officer, Shirley Hallam, Soroptimist International Tynemouth, Whitley Bay and District adds her support to the work of local Rotary Clubs. She said," When I heard what the local rotary clubs were trying to achieve by planting purple crucus bulbs for Polio, I went along to promote their initiative. Their 25 year fight to end polio has been a phenomenal achievement and I just wanted to add my support to eradicate this disease"
		North Tyneside Council staff show Shirley how to prepare the ground before planting 3,000 crocus bulbs at the entrance to Churchill playing fields.


PAINT THE TOWN PINK AT EARSDON NURSERY Earsdon Nursery have launched a month long campaign to support Linda Johnson, President Soroptimist International Tynemouth, Whitley Bay and District in raising awareness of breast cancer in North Tyneside. The Nursery will be selling pansies and donating £1 to theBreast Cancer Campaign from every 6 pack sold. They will be releasing 500 plants a week until the end of the month. Last Saturday President Linda and members held a raffle in the café and raised over £300.
		Earsdon staff show President Linda Johnson one of their Pink Presentations.


		President Linda prepared flower arrangements in a tea cup and saucer to decorate the tables. They were on sale for £5.00

PAINT THE TOWN PINK AT NO ROCK AND ROLL "Bras in the Bay" was the title of the 2009 Soroptimist International Federation Conference in Cardiff. What better way to raise awareness of breast cancer than Sorptimist International Tynemouth, Whitley Bay and District to work in partnership with the latest lingerie shop in town, No Rock and Roll in Park View Whitley Bay. Owner and manager Trina was delighted to work with Shirley Hallam, Programme Action Officer for the club and Breast Cancer Campaign during October. There is no denying her enthusiasm for the cause. Her window is awash with pink but look out for something special. Trina is collecting old bras and donating discount vouchers off your next purchase. The bras will be donated to Breast Cancer Campaign for their recycling project. Trina will hold a special event later in the month.
		(L-R) Shirley Hallam, Programme Action Officer Soroptimist International Tynemouth, Whitley Bay and District and Trina count the donated bras - 35 to date! Please donate your bra and see how many we can collect.

PINK, PINK TO MAKE THE BOYS WINK In keeping with the theme of Raising Awareness of Breast Cancer, President Linda Johnson, Soroptimist International Tynemouth, Whitley Bay and District welcomed Joe O'Donoghue, MCh, FRCSI FRCS (Plast), currently working at the Spire Washington Hospital. His research interest is Breast Reconstruction Surgery. He is Consultant Plastic Surgeon, at Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust. Joe's power point presentation to members and guests highlighted the need for early identification and intervention as well as the massive changes in approach to breast surgery over the last 100 years. He shared some fascinating case studies and pointed out the vast difference in length of operations from two to nine hours. Joe brought a very positive and empathetic approach to a sensitive subject. He added that after breast cancer some men also require reconstruction. Following question time members felt reassured and more informed to make decisions about a disease that affects friends and family. Before closing the meeting President Linda thanked Paul Yarde, (Facilitator) North of Tyne Healthy Communities Collaborative and his volunteer for their input and display. President Linda gave the vote of thanks and presented Joe with a pink tie. President Linda Johnson will attend the launch of the new DVD at the Centre for Life on 20 October 2010. Joe explained that this DVD has been made by survivors and very much patient - led. It will be distributed to GP's surgeries and hospitals to give the best possible advice to Breast Cancer Patients. They will be able to view in the comfort of their own homes. The next meeting of the club will be on the 25 October at Tynemouth Golf Club 7.30pm - 9.00pm. "We'll eat Again" Members will wear wartime clothes and bring non-perishable goods for the homeless.
		President Linda Johnson thanks visiting speaker Joe O'Donoghue Consultant Plastic Surgeon and her guests.

Christmas Social evening President Linda, members and friends of Soroptimist International held their Christmas social evening at Tynemouth Golf Club on 10 January 2011. Everyone enjoyed a 2 course meal followed by "Santa's Sack", ensuring that everyone shared a gift on the evening. President LInda was presented with a birthday card as she was celebrating her special day too.

In the Pink (L-R) Ernie Nolan, Chair of Wallsend Chamber of Trade, with Gillian Ruffles, Secretary, presented Shirley Hallam, Programme Action Officer, Soroptimist International Tynemouth, Whitley Bay and District with a final cheque for their Paint the Town Pink community day in Wallsend, last October.

UN Centenary of the Holocaust Henry Ross was the guest speaker at the latest meeting of Soroptimist International Tynemouth, Whitley Bay and District at the Tynemouth golf Club. He is seen here with President Linda(Centre), members and visitors from SI Newcastle upon Tyne. When Linda was preparing her Presidential Year she was keen to acknowledge and link the various United Nations Days to her planned programme. The UN Day of Commemoration of the Victims of the Holocaust. Henry Ross gave this subject the knowledge, compassion and respect it deserved in his talk to members and visitors. Henry is a Past President of Newcastle United Hebrew Congregation. He has led a party of 200 young people form North East School Association to Auschwitz to learn about the atrocities committed there during the Second World War. A recent visitor from Austria to our club, hilighted the fact that young people in her country were not made aware of the events during the war and that the elderly folk just wanted to forget it ever happened. Henry commended North Tyneside for its forward thinking in its approach to this daunting subject and its unique feature of a garden to the memory of Holcaust victims. He also recommended a visit to the Imperial War Museum on our next visit to London and also the Nottingham Holocaust Museum. A pamphlet was distributed to help members understand this complicated subject. Everyone present seemed pleased to hear that the young people in the UK are being guided in commemorating these events in the hope that it will never happen again.

Our Work Archive
2010 - 2011	2009 - 2010

Our Work Archive 2010 - 2011

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