Whitstable & District Soroptimists supported the 2023 annual CT5 Forum Eco Fair with a table and display about Soroptimist International and our new club. The fair was well attended by local organisations as well as members of the public with a steady stream of visitors throughout the day. There was lots of interest in Soroptimist International with many people hearing of the organisation for the first time. Several locals expressed an interest in supporting or joining the club and took details away with them to explore further. Many thanks to Millie, Carol, Anne, Ruth, Nadia and Tricia for helping on the day and providing information and good company.        

Whitstable club members took part in the Great British Spring Clean as an addition to our regular beach cleans in Whitstable. Some members cleaned their local area using litter pickers and sacks, others decided to work as a group and cleaned an area of the Crab & Winkle Way as it leaves Whitstable. In all several sacks of litter including paper, plastic, cans and bottles were collected and handed over to the council for disposal. A good job done by all!

Whitstable members took part in a walk for water to raise funds for Water Aid in March 2023. Five members walked from Whitstable Castle through Long Rock conservation area to Herne Bay pier raising £60 for the charity. In Herne Bay, they posed next to the bronze statue of record breaking pilot of the 1930s Amy Johnson, who died when she ditched her plane in the Thames Estuary off the Herne Bay coastline in 1941. They ended their day with a visit to Maya’s Community Café and lunch in the town. https://mayashernebay.business.site

On a breezy day in March members volunteered at the Whitstable Junior School charity car park raising funds for the school and the Rising Sun Domestic Violence Unit. Members took a 1 to 2 hour shift, directing people to parking spaces and encouraging donations. At the end of the day, half the takings are donated to the school and half to our chosen charity providing much needed funds for both organisations. Well done to members for braving the cold, wind and rain for these good causes!