Local voluntary group sponsor room at new YMCA Central Milton Keynes campus

    The Milton Keynes Soroptimists raised a fantastic £2,605 to furnish a room at YMCA MK, in addition to making 30 quilts for the local charity.

    During 2019 a number of events were planned to raise funds and promote MK Soroptimists - a voluntary group who focus on transforming the lives of women and girls locally and internationally. These included a Sewathon, held on the 27 April, when volunteer patch workers from across MK were sponsored by family and friends to make a king size quilt and two single quilts in a day! The magnificent king size quilt, in YMCA colours, was then raffled over the summer to add to the total raised, which was approximately £1,600.

    When staff at YMCA MK saw the single quilts, destined for two lucky residents they asked if it would be possible for the group to make a further twenty eight quilts so that every new resident coming through the homeless hostel had a personal gift for their journey through the YMCA programme. Undaunted, the volunteer team got sewing and delivered 30 quilts in time for the opening of the new building.   

    The remainder of the money was raised by holding a number of events during the rest of 2019 including; a quiz night with fish and chips, run at Simpson Village hall, a Choir Evening, selling tickets for the Community Charity Foundation Car Raffle, a members charity evening and a Suffragette event with other women’s groups which included raffle prizes. Many members also made items for a craft sale, which were sold throughout the year and raised money by using discount vouchers when out for friendship lunches.

    On Wednesday 11 March 2020, in the Mayor’s Parlour at Milton Keynes Council Civic Offices, MK Soroptimists handed over a cheque for £2,605.00, smashing their target, to the Mayor, Cllr Sam Crooks and Cheryl Montgomery, Chair of the Board of the YMCA. The presentation was followed by tea and cakes kindly donated by MK Snap. In addition, they also gave 30 Quilts that will be presented to individuals to help furnish their rooms.  The room sponsored by MK Soroptimists has been named the Violet Richardson Room, in dedication to the very first President of the founding  Soroptimists club in Oakland in 1921.  Her motto was, “its what you do that counts”.

    Violet is commemorated across the founder region in the annual Violet Richardson Awards, a Grant in each branch for a girl, aged 14- 18, who has contributed to her local community.

    Violet campaigned for, and won, the right to be paid the same as fellow male teachers and led the Oakland Soroptimists in their first campaign – to save the Redwoods. Click here to read more about Violet Richardson, co founder of Soroptimists

     

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