A CHESTER women's group who work to improve the lives of women and girls around the world, has been celebrating the Platinum Jubilee with a River Dee cruise.

Soroptimists International of Chester, brought together members from across the Cheshire, North Wales and Wirral to celebrate the Queen's 70 years on the throne with a cruise on The Lady Diana, on Saturday, June 11. Over 40 members; dressed in red, white and blue, enjoyed afternoon tea as the boat sailed down the river to the Iron Bridge.

The organisation are the Chester hub of the Soroptimist movement. First founded in 1921 as a volunteer organisation, they now have close to 80,000 members in around 121 countries.

Since 2013, the Soroptimist International Great Britain & Ireland has been an organisation with Special Consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council.

Chester and District Standard: The organisation is part of an international network who work to improve the lives of women and girls around the world.The organisation is part of an international network who work to improve the lives of women and girls around the world.

Chester Club member, Anne MacDonald OBE, said: "Soroptimist International is a global network of members with a focus on the education and empowerment of women and girls.

"We are involved in projects that aim to do this at both international, national and local levels. In addition, we raise awareness lobby governments and raise funds."

The Chester organisation currently supports both local and international projects which are working to help women in multiple locations.

"Chester members support the Purple Community Fund, which acts as a pathway out of poverty for women in the Philippines – we do this by collecting the ring pulls from drinks cans and selling the beautiful items that the women make from them.

"Locally we support Chester Women’s Aid and collect clothes for Smartworks – a charity that enables women to succeed at job interviews by providing support & guidance as well as nearly new quality clothing."

The group meet at 7.30 on the 2nd Monday of each month at the Mollington Banastre Hotel. For more information, visit: : www.sigbi.org/chester or email Soroptimistsinchester@gmail.com.