Welcome!

In 2007 Soroptimist International Birkenhead is celebrating 75 years and I am honoured that it has fallen in the year that I am President (April 2008 - 2009).

My theme for the year is The Birkenhead Drill. 

HMS Birkenhead was one of the first iron-hulled ships built for the Royal Navy and on 26 February 1852, while transporting troops of the 73rd Regiment of Foot, she was wrecked near Cape Town, South Africa. There were not enough serviceable lifeboats on board for all the passengers - however the soldiers famously stood firm, thereby allowing the women and children to board the boats safely. Only 193 of the 643 people onboard survived, however the soldiers' chivalry gave rise to the women and children first protocol during the procedure of abandoning ship, while the Birkenhead Drill came to describe courage in face of hopeless circumstances.

So as Captain of SI Birkenhead, my charities for this year will adopt the Birkenhead Drill and put women and children first and I am looking forward to being at the helm!

In 2008, we will support local, national and international charities chosen by me. My local charities are Child flight, R.A.S.A, The Zero Centre, Stick & Step and The Charles Thompson Mission.

One of our key events this year is in May, when we are organising a Moonlight Walk (see webpage) which hopefully will raise a great deal of money for my national charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

We have strong links to South Africa. My international charity is Street Children in South Africa, which supports HIV orphans and we have a friendship link with other Soroptimists in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, where both clubs actively support each other.

We are also holding an Antiques Road show and will be planting seventy five trees in a specially selected copse at Arrowe Park, Birkenhead to celebrate our 75 years.

So this year we have a full programme of fundraising events along with some

interesting social events.  We are a lively and dynamic club and everything is based around having fun and friendship. For example a group will travel to Brussels for the weekend and incorporate a trip to the European Parliament.

We really welcome new members from the professional and business sector.  We will give you the opportunity to support local, national and international communities and really make a difference to less fortunate people, whilst having a lot of fun!

President Chris Loughran MIISec JP