Soroptimists support Buddy Bag Foundation
Cannock Soroptimists have supported the Buddy Bag Foundation for many years. They were pleased to welcome their Ambassador John Wilson to their July meeting to update them on their work.
They help children all over the country who have to leave their homes because it isn’t safe for them to stay. These are emergency, unplanned situations when mothers and children leave home with nothing more than what they are wearing at the time and are taken into Refuge care. Each child is given an age appropriate Buddy bag which contains pyjamas, underwear, toiletries, note book and pens/pencils, a book and book mark – and the very important teddy bear. Everything in the bag is brand new and whoever packs a bag must hug the teddy bear – the next time it is touched will be by a child in need and they will benefit from that wonderful love.
Currently, 50,000 children in the UK are affected each year – every night, during the night, 150 children are rescued from violent homes. These are chilling and worrying figures.
Individuals, groups and companies can help in several ways: by donating funds, their time to fill the buddy bags, their skills or their help in storage or transport for instance. Special Buddy Bag Kits are available to enable groups or businesses to hold a really heartwarming team building event to pack a number of Buddy Bags.
More information is available on the website: buddybagfoundation.co.uk
At the end of John’s talk Programme Action Officer Tracey was delighted to present to him items for the Buddy Bags: 41 wash bags, 21 pencil cases, 12 period pouches and 4 knitted toys made by members of the club’s Craft group.
If you would like to find out more about how Soroptimists support women and girls, please visit their Facebook page: facebook.com/SICannock or their website: sigbi.org/cannock-and-district
