SI Bilston and District

Mass Balloon Releases

Research has shown that the number of balloons and balloon pieces on Britain's beaches has tripled in the last ten years. Some local authorities have banned mass balloon releases but the Bilston club have taken up the issue and are campaigning for the banning of mass balloon releases, country-wide. The main priority is to encourage responsible use of balloons and reduce potential deaths of marine and animal life.

There are four main aims to the campaign:

• To raise awareness of the damage to eco systems by balloon debris falling to land and into the sea.
• To persuade authorities to ban the mass release of balloons on their land.
• To support the Marine Conservation Societey with their petition for balloons to be classed as litter under the Environmental Protection Act, 1990.
• To work with organisations to recommend alternatives to mass balloon releases

There are many alternatives to releasing mass balloons. Bilston club have produced a booklet and flyer giving more information on the effects balloons have on wildlife and lots of suggested alternatives to a mass release of balloons. Download a copy here.

Race for Life

For the past five years members of the Bilston club have raced for life in support of Cancer Research; this year was no different.

Five intrepid walkers donned their gear in poor weather and walked with 2,000 other women around West Park in Wolverhampton. The photo shows that whilst raising money for a good cause it is still possible to have fun! The tee shirts caught the eye of the Beacon Radio presenter and the marshalls - another opportunity to raise the profile of Soroptimism.

 

 

For more information on this club, visit their website