Soroptimists and Save the Children: working together

Telling people about the difference Save the Children makes to children’s lives every day is an offer I can never refuse. Combine that with a great lunch and I’m there.

So last Sunday I was at the 70th Charter lunch for the Preston Soroptimists, attended by 175 soroptimists, guests and friends who had travelled from as faraway as Winchester for the celebration.

In the Great Hall at Preston North End, we enjoyed a lovely three course meal by Paul Heathcote, one of Lancashire’s celebrated chefs. I gave the response to the toast given to the guests by Sue Dixon, Soroptimist President. It was a very fitting occasion for me to talk to the Soroptimists as Save the Children is celebrating its 90th birthday. The Preston Branch of Save the Children was set up by Soroptimists in 1966, and we are one of their chosen charities this year and will soon receive a donation from their fundraising.

It is always rather sobering to talk about the 11 million children that die every year from malnutrition, measles, malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea, but a great opportunity to shout about what Save the Children does.