On  21 July 2007 a hardy group of Nottingham Soroptimists gathered at the Harvey Haddon Stadium in Nottingham to take part in a 24 hour walking relay in aid of Cancer Research UK.  On Saturday it rained and rained and rained but we kept walking.  Overnight the rain stopped and on Sunday the sun shone. 

So what was the event like … this is what the participants said:

“It was a very moving experience, and the feeling of togetherness was quite something.  Everyone supporting each other, there were obviously groups there that have even more personal reasons for being there than us, and I felt privileged to be part of their dedication to ones they love and had lost.

The Candle Ceremony was a very apt way of remembering family and friends who tragically had lost their battle with this as yet incurable disease.  Finding a cure is what the week-end “relay” (really excuse the pun) was all about – being able to fund research - while dedicating our thoughts and efforts to what is important to each individual.

The first lap for survivors was again a very touching experience and as they progressed round I wondered what they had all had to suffer to get this far and it made me realise how lucky I am.

The final lap was also great, everyone there was on the track, parading round in the “Sunshine” Again very emotional.  And we did it.  Tired and a little worse for wear and in need of a long soak, but it was well worth it.  We calculated that over the 24 hours we had all done the equivalent of a marathon - (not bad for an OAP!!)

On a more positive note, I thought our team worked very well together, sharing all our goodies, eating and drinking as we all do well and supporting each other.  In spite of the rain, our spirits and anyone else’s, could not be dampened and we all succeeded and should be very proud of ours and others efforts.

The banner was displayed and carried.  This definitely enhanced our profile, and many people asked “What is a Soroptimist?”  Maybe we will have advertised ourselves again and  get some positive publicity.

For those Sorops unable to join us, they all supported us with sponsorship and their good wishes. Thanks everyone very much.  It truly was a memorable, enjoyable experience.  I would certainly do it again. Thanks Viv and Robert for the 4 star accommodation.”

“A great big thank you to all who took part in this event. It was a fantastic team effort, and I include in this the husbands and friends. The breakfasts - John what can I say - definitely made surviving a sleepless night viable! Chip butties will always now remind me of rain and how wonderful it was to see Brian arrive.

We all had our moments. I was so relieved to see Sue & Mike  at 3.00 Sunday am.  It was a 24 hours of sharing - not only companionship, food and drink, but also the incredibly moving experiences the Relay gave. The first lap, the Candle ceremony, the last lap - all poignant in their different ways. It made the adversity of walking through wind and rain with little sleep, insignificant.

I felt everyone in the Club was behind us. The best wishes and sponsorship that we received certainly spurred me on.  So once more - THANK YOU. Another first for the Club, but I think not the last.”

“We started in the dark and watched the dawn gradually lighten the clouds, until a lovely day appeared - magic.”

“Just to say what a wonderful experience had at the weekend – I am still buzzing. Have spoken to lots of people who tells me they would have taken part if only they had known about it.  Well I have told  them the date for next years”

“The highlights were the chips arriving courtesy of helens husband….most gratefull!  The candle ceremony was very moving as were the words HOPE and CURE spelt out along the side of the track.
 There was a real sense of community.  We spoke to many of the other participants and heard many moving stories…so many peoples lives are touched by this and yet they were all there celebrating the lives of those they loved.
 
I think the 24 hour - cancer never sleeps - idea was brilliant and hopefully the event will gather support as it moves into its 3 year.
 
I was really proud to be a part of it…and it was nice to do something with the Soroptimists …to be actually involved in doing something tangible.”

On Saturday 8th March 2008, a group of women from Soroptimist International of Nottingham donned their painting clothes and renovated a room at Nottingham Women’s Centre, which is on Chaucer Street in Nottingham.

The women’s centre is a fantastic facility for women in Nottingham, and provides a venue for a huge range of activities, including courses and support group meetings, and also provides information to vulnerable women.

“We felt that the aims of the women’s centre were very similar to our own” explains club president Wendy Nicolle “as both organisations are committed to helping women and girls to achieve their potential. We were delighted to be able to help the women’s centre to improve their facilities.”

Every year, Soroptimists throughout the world use their Saturday of Service, held on the Saturday closest to International Women’s Day, as an opportunity to give service in their local area, and the Nottingham club is no exception.

More information about Nottingham Women’s Centre

Soroptimist International of Nottingham have raised over £300 for Vitalise Skylarks , a Nottingham charity which provides short breaks for disabled people, giving them a great holiday, and their carers some much-needed respite. The money was raised at a coffee morning held at a club members’ home, and has been used to buy a Wii console for Skylarks’ guests to use.

Shown here are members of S.I. Nottingham who visited Skylarks to meet the staff and guests, and to see the new console in action.

More about Skylarks Vitalise

Guests are welcome to attend any of the meetings or events listed here. If you wish to attend, please contact us so that we can ensure that someone is available to meet you. Where events, for example the Christmas Supper, include food, there may be a cost payable by guests.

Monday 1st September

Our first meeting back after the summer break promises to be an interesting one. Federation Director of Extension Margaret Oldroyd - also a member of SI Nottingham - will be telling us about her ‘Soroptimist Career’ and answering all our questions about how Soroptism works.

Monday 15th September.

At tonight’ meeting we have a speaker from Women’s Aid.

Monday 6th October 2008

Tonight’s meeting will include a discussion on the International Dimension of Soroptimism.

Monday 20th October 2008

Programme Action and Lobbying Active Session

 Monday 3rd November 2008

Janet Folkes, Balloonist

 Monday 17th November 2008

Gill Hunter, the Hunter Trust & Conference Report

 Monday 1st December 2008

Our International Evening is held on the club night closest to United Nations Day, where we celebrate the international diversity of Soroptimism. This year we are joining with the Nottingam Sierra Leone Association to celebrate the link between Soroptimists and Sierra Leone through Project SIerra. Snacks will be available at this meeting.

Monday 15th December 2008

Christmas Supper

Project SIerra: A family and a future, is Soroptimist International’s current four year project. Soroptimist Clubs all over the world work to raise funds to support the project, which is run in partnership with Hope and Homes for Children. The project, which began in Autumn 2007, aims to raise £1million over the four years; so far, almost £90,000 has been raised by Soroptimists worldwide.  Click here for more information.

So far, S.I. Nottingham have raised over £1,700, at a variety of events, including:

A fashion show at Marks and Spencer, Nottingham

A concert at St Mary’s Church, Nottingham, featuring Nottingham Young Musician of the Year 2007, Isata Kenneh-Mason (pictured below).

Project SIerra dinners at members’ homes, including one hosted by members from Sierra Leone, with traditional African food and drink (see below).

Hi and thanks for visiting our website. You can find out who we are and what we do on some of our permanent pages, whilst our posts update you on what’s new with the club and its many activities.

We’ll be putting more items on here over the coming months, so please check back regularly, or better still, get in touch and be part of it.