Stokes Bay WI raise huge total for NCI charity
By Pam Marsden
STOKES BAY WI have announced that they have raised an amazing total of £3,000 for their chosen 2024-25 charity Gosport NCI (National Coastwatch Institution), who have a watchtower at the mouth of Portsmouth Harbour where their mission is to save lives at sea and around the coast.
A cheque was presented for £3,000 to Watchkeeper Charoline Meeting at their meeting on Tuesday (May 20) and was gratefully received during the small ceremony, which celebrated the hard efforts of members in the last twelve months.
Caroline is also the station’s Quartermaster and Welfare Office, but she took the time to thank WI members; saying “this money is an amazing amount to have donated to Gosport NCI and it will be gratefully used on new equipment enabling us to keep an even better eye on all that goes on at our busy station.”
The total amount was collected through money raising events such as members having a produce stall with jams and chutneys at the village Michaelmas Fayre, which is always very popular for everybody. There was furthermore a selection of quizzes, beetle drives, sing-a-longs and many other happy events accompanied by homemade cakes.
Angela MacCallum, President of Stokes Bay WI, said “I am so proud of all our members who really put so much into fundraising this and every year. I was fortunate to visit the NCI Watchtower to see how much our money will assist and everyone here is delighted to have been able to help.”
Members have chosen to raise money for two charities during 2025-26 with one being the all-important local branch of Rowans Hospice, who provide palliative and end of life care alongside other support for patients / their families / loved ones. The other charity will be Level-Up Gosport as they provide support for young people in gaining basic skills helping them gain work opportunities.
Stokes Bay WI are always on the lookout for new members and meet on the third Tuesday each month at St Mary’s Parish Centre in Alverstoke from 10:00-12:00. Full details can be seen via their website www.stokesbaywi.co.uk or by looking at Facebook.
PICTURED BY PAM MARSDEN: Stokes Bay WI President Angela MacCallum presents Caroline Hildrew of Gosport NCI with cheque for £3,000 donation.
