Everyone is a winner as SOUP! hits 100
Wells SOUP! hit a century in Wells Cathedral on Saturday afternoon.
Four more good causes benefitted at his grant-giving lunch with cash, publicity and a raised profile – bringing the total supported to more than 100 so far.
The Bishop of Bath and Wells welcomed everyone, praised SOUP! as a great community event and thanked the Dean and Chapter for giving the Cathedral as a venue "today and in the future."
First good cause to speak was Wells Youth Club whose volunteers reported that the funds they received at the previous SOUP! were used to take the young people skiing at Mendip Outdoor Centre. A good time was had by all.
Then Maggie Charlesworth from the Lawrence Day Centre told this charity has been running for 14 years providing care for the old and isolated, some suffering from a degree of dementia. Some 81,000 suffer from dementia in the UK and this number is likely to double in the next 30 years.
Neil Johnson spoke on behalf of the Wells Theatre Group, a not-for-profit organisation putting on various dramas over four days each June. They put the Bishop's Barn to good effect and cater for actors who include children and some who are neurodiverse. With spare funds from performances they support South West Eating Disorder Association, Root Connections and Dementia Care.
Next to the microphone was Angela Hall spoke on behalf of the Wells Macular Degeneration Group. She explained that this condition results in the loss of peripheral vision. With funding, she hopes to establish an art workshop.
Then Sue Crisfield told how the Windsor Hill Wood Refuge is based between Croscombe and Shepton Mallet in 10 acres of land and have provided care for up to 100 recovering drug or alcohol addicts every year. They have 45 volunteers and can host up to five guests at any one time and the guests are allowed to stay up to a year.
The Refuge received the most votes and was given half the £700 raised. The other three good causes shared the rest.
"Thank you to all who came together to listen to those presenting," said SOUP!'s lead organiser Ross Young. "Each one not only was able to 'spread their word' but went away with much needed funds. The total has now hit the 100 mark of charities and local projects we have supported since the first SOUP! in 2016.
"The soups supplied by Fresh & Good was delicious and enjoyed by all together with their freshly baked bread rolls. We look forward to the next SOUP! on Saturday 6th September."
And a final word from the Bishop: "I love this event for bringing people together to support more worthy charities and projects."
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