Social worker's global adventures will help resort women's charity

Rohina Caterina entertained family and friends during the 12 weeks of the first lockdown of the coronavirus pandemic by dressing up to represent a different country every week.

Now she has produced a calendar of her global adventures which she is selling for £5 to raise money for Fylde Coast Women’s Aid and A Gift for Our Care Leavers.

Rohina, 45, said: “When Boris Johnson said the first lock-down would be 12 weeks, I decided I would dress up and visit different countries from my home!

“Every Saturday I would decide which country I was going to and dress up, take a selfie and post it on Facebook.

“ I wanted to bring a bit of joy at a tricky time, plus it cheered me up!

“Friends and family also said it cheered them up and made them smile.

“It was lovely to bring joy to people during a bit of an awful time, plus I loved it and now people want to buy my calendar!

“I have decided to support two charities - Fylde Coast Women’s Aid and A Gift for Our Care Leavers, which is where Blackpool Council aims to give a Christmas Gift to all our care leavers

who live alone.”

Rohina, who lives in Lancaster, was a landlady for 11 years before retraining and becoming a social worker in Blackpool a year ago.

Rohina’s weekly adventures depicted countries such as Mexico, Egypt, USA, Spain, India, Hawaii, England, Holland, Sicily, Thailand and Brazil.

She says she drew inspiration from her family and then created the fundraising calendar with the help of the Print unit at the University of Cumbria.

Rohina added: “I chose Italy because my husband is Italian and India because my father is Asian.

“My mum, Terri Sethi, is a seamstress and very creative.

“We both love being creative. For example, she would make a headband and collect feathers to add authenticity.

“Or sometimes it was as simple as adding a flower to my hair or wearing a hat!

“My friend Lidia Macari, who works at The Print Unit at the University of Cumbria, printed them for me.

“She was so good, and even added my birthday on July 6 so everyone who purchases a calendar will know when my birthday is!

“I also felt it was important to use an independent local business to show support.

“It has been so much fun and I have sold 50 calendars already and have now ordered more.”

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