MORE than 1,000 bras and 60 packs of panties are being sent to women and girls in need in Africa thanks to campaigning ladies from Saddleworth WI.
The group’s project, led by member Cathy Wilde, saw them donate items of underwear over the last few months for the Smalls For All charity and project.
The final collection and count were made at their August meeting at The White Hart, Lydgate, before the items were sent to Africa to be distributed.
To link into the project, the meeting’s guest speaker was Darcy Browne, who spoke to members about her time in Kenya earlier this year.
Having just finished her degree Darcy decided to work with charity Team Kenya and travelled from village to village, visiting primary schools and getting to know the children.
She explained that the classes had approximately 100 children, some of whom didn’t have shoes but who would walk many miles to get to classes.
Many would spend more than 11 hours a day in school because it was a safer environment for them to be in.
Darcy said she witnessed the poverty and hardship endured by the children and the lengths they go to for an education. Most would sit on the soil floor of the classroom, with only the lucky few able to afford a chair to sit on.
The guest speaker for the group’s September meeting is Pam Jones, owner of Saddleworth Cookery School in Diggle.
The Saddleworth WI skills group recently held a workshop there learning how to make tapas. They enjoyed it so much they invited Pam to tell all the members how she came up with the idea of the school, and her journey from teacher to successful business owner.
Other exciting events in the pipeline include the WI’s annual Fashion Show on Thursday, October 24, starting at 7pm for 7.30pm at The White Hart, 51 Stockport Road, Lydgate, OL4 4JJ.
The pop-up shop offers many bargains, with items for sale mostly garments from well-known high street retailers sold at a fraction of the cost.
The show is also open to non-members, so if you would like a ticket (£5 each) pleasaddse call 07763 028466.
If you would like to be a member of Saddleworth WI or learn more about what they do, come along to their meetings. They meet on the first Wednesday of each month at The White Hart, Lydgate, 7pm for 7.30pm. Come along as a visitor and pay £3.00.
For further details visit their website: www.saddleworthwi.com
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