Just B offers emotional wellbeing and bereavement support to children, young people and adults across North Yorkshire, as well as supporting NHS, care sector and emergency service workers nationally through a dedicated helpline in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

OVER THE LAST YEAR, HARROGATE & DISTRICT SOROPTIMISTS HAVE RAISED OVER £2,000 FOR JUST B! We are currently doing our utmost to raise funds in support of their amazing work.

Through the innovative ideas of our members, during periods of lockdown and government restrictions, Harrogate & District Soroptimists have raised funds through such activities as: a member completing the virtual Great North Run, a virtual Burns Evening in January, member donations, filling smartie tubes with loose change or notes, members knitting items and baking cakes, making chutneys, which our members and their families and friends have purchased. Our members continue to look for different ways to raise funds.

AN AMAZING ACHIEVEMENT MAUREEN COMPLETES THE GREAT NORTH RUN

Harrogate & District Soroptimist member, Maureen Ingleton, did not let the cancellation of The Great North Run last year stop her from running. To complete the 13.1 mile virtual Great North Run in 2hrs 59 was a particular achievement. The challenges of lockdown meant that resilience and focus in training, were required more than ever. In completing the run, Maureen raised over £500 in sponsorship monies for Just B.

QUIZ FOR JUST B

Due to lockdown, last summer, we couldnt hold the fund raising quiz evening we had planned, so Harrogate & District Soroptimists found a way around that. A quiz was very ably put together by one of our Club Soroptimists.

Our members provided the quiz to friends and relatives for a donation. Virtual quizzes were held with friends and family on zoom, or with the restricted numbers allowed to meet in peoples gardens whilst social distancing. Great fun was had by all and an amazing £415 was raised for Just B.

VIRTUAL BURNS NIGHT 23 JANUARY 2021

33 people came to our virtual Burns Night. It was a great way to spend a wintry January evening. £248 was raised for Just B as well, which was fantastic. Guest Kevin Millar addressed the Haggis in true Scottish style followed by a tasty take away Haggis and neeps supper provided by the French chef at home.

Here we are singing Auld Lang Syne and one of Jonathan playing.

MEMBERS KNITTING ITEMS

£285 was raised for Just B by one of our members knitting and selling items around Christmas time.

Another of our members is now knitting items which have an organza bag inside them, filled with dried French blue lavender, and is making a donation to Just B from each sale.

PLANNING AHEAD FASHION SHOW

We are planning a Fashion Show to be held in November 2021.The Show will showcase outfits created from recycled clothes and accessories from the Saint Michaels Hospice Shops around the Harrogate District. Pre-loved and upcycled clothes create a completely individual look as well as having a positive impact on the environment.

We hope that the community will get behind us for this event to enable us to raise maximum funds for Just B.