MEMBERS of Winchester Rotary welcomed the High Sheriff of Hampshire to their latest meeting.
Rotarians met at the Wessex Hotel in Winchester for lunch on March 22.
They heard from special guest Lady Edwina Grosvenor, the High Sheriff of Hampshire, who spoke about the most memorable moments of her year in post.
She described the incredible honour she felt at being able to represent the county when the Queen died this summer.
She also spoke about her current project, setting up a charity called Hope Street, to help women in the justice system.
Lady Grosvenor, a criminologist and prison philanthropist, said the residential hub for justice-involved women and their children was needed as the current system was not adequately providing for them, leading to greater reoffending and putting them at risk.
She said: "By taking a positive and compassionate approach, we aim to create a blueprint for change that can be replicated across the country and achieve better outcomes for women, their children and society.”
The charity is currently building its first hub in Southampton.
The assembled Rotarians also heard from William Brook-Hart, from Southampton & Winchester Volunteer Group.
He spoke of the good work being done by volunteers to help refugees and asylum seekers in both cities.
He also encouraged people to donate unwanted smartphones in order to help asylum seekers.
Winchester Rotary’s president Deborah Macartney thanked the Rotarians and their guests for attending, and she said the club would be helping raise money for Trinity this year.
She encouraged people to take part in the charity's Big Sleep Out, which will see people sleep outside at Winchester Cathedral on May 12 in order to raise cash and awareness for homelessness.
Winchester Rotary holds regular meetings and fundraising events throughout the year.
The next one is the Concert For Ukraine, which takes place on Saturday, April 15 at 12.30pm at St Lawrence Church, The Square.
It will see a performance from a Ukrainian children's choir, jazz accordion music and traditional English songs. It will raise money for International Medical Corp – War in Ukraine.
For more or to get involved go to winchester-rotary.org/
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