Milnrow and District WI present cheque to North West Air Ambulance

Milnrow and District WI present the cheque to Freda, a volunteer with the North West Air Ambulance

Milnrow and District Women's Institute presented a cheque for £500 to the North West Air Ambulance at their latest meeting on Tuesday (14 May).

Members raised £500 for the charity between 2017 and October 2018 through participation in local craft markets selling handmade items, running a ‘swap shop’ at meetings, selling unloved items and homegrown produce.

Their craft group also contributed a surplus that they had raised from running activities.

The cheque was presented to Freda, a volunteer with the North West Air Ambulance, at the local WI’s meeting earlier this week.

Milnrow and District WI formed in the summer of 2016, choosing North West Air Ambulance as its first charity in 2017.

The Women's Institute aims to create educational opportunities for women and to work for the benefit of the local community.

President of Milnrow and District WI, Esdi Hughes said: “We're really proud to raise money for charities like the North West Air Ambulance and the Oldham and Rochdale Samaritans, who are our charity this year, while organising talks and workshops every month for members and guests.

“It's a lovely, friendly atmosphere in which to meet new people and try new things, and we do try to have a varied schedule – we run a quiz club, a craft club and a grub club; we've been on a camping trip and pottery classes, clay pigeon shooting and trips to the theatre; we've had demonstrations of flower arranging, burlesque dancing, and talks on mental health and sign language, all with a big piece of cake.”

All adult women are welcome to come to the WI. The Milnrow and District WI has around 60 members ranging in age from roughly 30 to 80.

More information can be found at:

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/sites/milnrow-and-district-womens-institute