South West Post - May 2023

DG’s message

Budleigh Salterton Lions

Bodmin Lions

Plymouth Lions

District vacancies

VDGE James Mathers

Truro Lions

Launceston Lions

Congratulations

Weston-super-Mare Lions

Bridport Lions

St Austell Lions

Frome Lions

Yeo Valley Lions

Weymouth & Portland Lions

Callington Lions

Message from the editor

District 105SW

MAY 2023 NEWSLETTER

District Governor - Lion Lesley Chudley

Wow! I can’t believe another month has passed. Obviously, the highlight was our 4th Convention at Croyde Bay where many memories were made. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who worked so very hard to make it such a successful event.

VDGE Stuart Young’s talk on Dementia Friends certainly resonated with many whose lives have been touched by this cruel disease and many clubs are working on service projects in this area. The thing that will stay with me was the very positive nature of message he gave. Ellie Jackson’s talk on the Wild Tribe Heroes books has caused clubs to look again at this valuable tool in our commitment to the Environment. For example, Newquay Towan Blystra Club who

has pledged to put the latest title about Ziggy the Honeybee in schools with packets of seeds for the children to grow areas of “bee flowers. Obviously, Andy & s emotive presentation on Sending Love to left an indelible impression on everyone in the room, and seeing them receive International President Leadership Medals brought great personal satisfaction.

The Sunday informal forum was well attended with a great deal of participation. The thorny issue of insurance was raised, and I would like to thank Lion Richard Pymm of Torpoint and Rame for all the very hard work he has done to put together a very powerful document for me to take to the Council of Governors. Please trust me when I say, we will not rest as a body until we find a much more satisfactory answer.

I think personally, the thing I will remember most about the weekend was “the buzz”, the sense of fellowship and camaraderie that filled the venue; Lions being glad to be back together. International

The International Association of Lions Clubs

Director Matt Granath certainly commented on it. He mixed freely with many people and has been in touch a couple of times since, saying he has many new Lions’ friends. What was also lovely was celebrating the successes we have had in our district with membership, youth projects and service. We have a lot to be proud of. We have sold over 26 balloons for the Virtual Balloon Race on behalf of Lions Brain Tumour Research. I would really like us to try and do 70!!! So please consider having a go. You need to use the poster forwarded to each club with the QR code or go online and choose the colour and shape of your balloon.

What’s best is, being virtual, here is no harm done to the countryside and we are tackling one of the biggest killers of children.

Easter Egg Raffle

Budleigh Lions Club sold Easter Raffle tickets in the High Street for the two weeks prior to Easter. The Club raised a magnificent sum of £1,296.86 which will help support local charities and good causes. In addition, it was a great opportunity to engage with the local community and let people know what the Lions do and possibly attract potential new members.

The Budleigh Lions thanked several local individuals and businesses who donated prizes, provided a shop window for displaying the prizes, supplied hot drinks and restroom facilities, helped with transport, and making up and decorating the Easter baskets.

That doesn’t mean we can now sit back on our laurels! Whilst we are currently in a positive membership growth for the first time in a long while, the end of the year is looming, which is a time when we expect a drop-off. We may even be facing the loss of two clubs, so best foot forward ever one. More Members.. More Service. Lesley.

You have only one week left to buy a balloon for the virtual balloon race. See page 19 of this newsletter for further details.

District Governor - Lion Lesley Chudley

Lion Richard Allen

Beach Clean

Members of Budleigh Salterton Lions Club joined with Marta Marcote (Clean Beach Budleigh), a member of the Marine Conservation Society to carry out a beach clean at Budleigh on 26th February.

Richard Allen, President of Salterton Budleigh Lions Club, said "we are always keen to support the MCS and 'Keep Britain Tidy' events. The Environment is one of our five global causes and by carrying out regular litter picking, and beach cleans we can help to reduce the amount of plastic and other waste materials in our oceans and in our local environment."

The Marine Conservation Society is a UK charity fighting for a cleaner, better-protected, healthier ocean: one everyone can enjoy. The Society campaigns to stop pollution entering the oceans and organises volunteer beach cleans to remove and record the litter found on our coastline.

Using science, the Society tracks the health of our waters to influence business practice and call for better environmental regulations.

385 litter items found per 100m of beach surveyed at last year's Great British Beach Clean. 30% of beach cleans last year found face masks and PPE.

55% drop in plastic bags found on UK beaches

since the 5p charge was introduced. If you want to find out more about the Marine Conservation Society, you can visit their website www.mcsuk.org

Lion Gerald Worden MJF

Bodmin Lions sadly announce the death of Lion Gerald aged 89 years, a dedicated Lion for 44 years, Past President three times as well as Zone Chairman. Gerald was a co-founder of our Ten Tors event, the Diabetes Awareness event at the Royal Cornwall Show, countless teddy bear picnics at Padstow and Mevagissey, to say nothing of the rodeos, greasy pole and dung run events. If there was a way to raise funds and have fun, then Gerald would be at the heart of it.

A true giant among Cornish Lions.

We will not mourn him but remember him with great affection.

Lion Richard Allen

Lion Christopher Line

59th Charter Lunch

The Lions Club of Plymouth held its 59th Charter Lunch on Sunday 2nd April at Elfordleigh Hotel and Country Club, Plympton. The occasion was attended by South West District Governor Lesley Chudleigh, accompanied by Lion Wendy Broom MJF, Lion President Sonia Fox and her husband Lion Mark Fox, also Lion President Rosemary Gates from Tamar Lions Club accompanied by some club members, plus members of the Lions

Club of Plymouth and their personal guests. The luncheon followed the normal format of good company, good food, pleasant surroundings and scintillating speeches, including a very apt tale from District Governor Lesley Chudleigh about a farmer, his wife and a very attractive tractor!! The District Governor made a presentation to Lion Phillip Greenwood, Lions Club of Plymouth Chairman for Community Service to commemorate his 25 years’ service to Lions and for serving the local community.

District Officer Vacancies

Any Lion who is interested in taking up any of these positions should contact the District governor Elect, James Mathers by email ( jamesmathers@lionsclubs.co.uk ) or telephone 07957171556

Lion Roy Russell

I am looking forward to the future, but first I would like to take this opportunity to thank Convention for its support in selecting me to become your next District Governor.

perception of quarterly District Cabinet meetings. The laborious endorsement of reports, many of which may have been unread or read by only a few, followed by verbal updates, occupies virtually all a Saturday morning, with very little being decided and certainly not policy or future development. Yes, that has been the way things have been done since Adam was a lad, but it is time to break the mould. Get the routine business out of the way as quickly as possible, then discuss some of the important issues. That’s what happens at MD Council meetings. That way reports may be read, and Lions may be keen to attend.

It is my wish to work with clubs, especially in membership retention. Attracting new members is crucial, but for several years we have consistently lost more than we have recruited, and the most common explanation recorded is “Resigned in good standing”. Well, that doesn’t tell us very much. Except for passing on to higher service, it is in my opinion very doubtful that a member resigns without some previous indication. Early and constructive action could pay dividends. I will be exploring this subject further.

Another issue that I intend to challenge is the current

Training is also on the menu. There are those who have been “in the job” for years and don’t need to be trained, or so they think. I put that to a secretary who had held that office for 18 years and yet there hadn’t been a single service report for noticeably more than two years. I didn’t get a response. We need training, especially for new officers, and more so now that we are to be hit with a new LCI computer program.

There has been a lot of talk and concern raised about Lions Club International insurance and this is something that the current MD Council is wrestling with. What is clear is that a much greater emphasis is being placed on health and safety by insurance companies and, where the options are limited, we may have little choice but to suffer the pain or misfortune in a stoical manner (or more commonly referred to as “grin and bear it”) but we can always cross our fingers.

District Governor Elect - Lion James Mathers

TRURO LIONS CHARTER LUNCH

Truro Lions Club celebrated its 52nd Charter Anniversary Lunch at the Greenbank Hotel in Falmouth on Sunday 2nd April 2023.

thanks to Lions Julian Collinson, Peter Read, and Richard Moore for organising the lunch, Lions Sue Gibbs, Anna Stanning and Liz Barnes for an excellent raffle, and to all our guests who came along to celebrate with us. Finally, he thanked his wife Norma for her unstinting support.

He also described the activities for both fundraising and service, and in particular the fantastic amount of over £4,000 raised for the Earthquake Appeal for Turkey and Syria.

President Geoff presented long service awards to Lions Peter Willett (35 Years) and Liz Barnes (10 Years) plus honourable mentions for Lions

President Geoff Kaye and his wife Norma hosted the lunch with distinguished guests, District Governor Elect Lion James Mathers, and his wife Lion Gail, together with a great representation from other local clubs including St Austell, Newquay Towan Blystra, Camborne and Redruth, and Hayle and Penzance. Also attending was Past District Governor Lion Lesley Clarke and Zone A Chair Lion David Broadhurst.

John Cardew (45 Years), Steve Powell (10 Years) and Richard Moore (10 Years not present) and Lion Mick Pawlak (20 Years), who had received their awards at a recent Club Meeting.

All the speeches were well received, with a good sprinkling of humour.

Thanks to Lion Alan Downie and his wife Lesley for taking the photos.

The event was very successful, with excellent food and service provided by the hotel, and entertainment provided by Anton Mullan with his renditions of many 1960s hits, especially some Beatles classics.

President Geoff thanked all members and partners for their support during his year and gave special

Lion Geoff Kaye

TRAUMA TEDS

Members of the community have been knitting Trauma Teds that the Club now gives to the Minor Injuries Unit at Launceston Hospital.

These act as a comfort and distraction therapy to young children in distress. Comments from parents recently include: Thank you so much for these as they really do make a difference, with my son being rushed in for treatment. It was a very traumatic time for him but having one of the bears made him feel so comfortable and safe. He’s now named him ‘Ginge.’Another lady said, “My daughter absolutely loves her little bear, thank you so very much. She’s named her Lucy and provided her with lots of comfort when she had to spend a night at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.

This shows how much a small item knitted with love can make such a difference to our young children.

These have also been given to the local Ambulance, Police and Fire Services, for them to

give to children in distressing situations.

The dementia units at the local care homes have also been recipients, where they are adored and loved by the patients.

We are delighted that we are able to help our local youngsters in distressing situations, as well as those local disadvantaged elderly people.

It is wonderful to be of service to our local community, which supports our efforts.

CONGRATULATIONS

To our Regional Lions Leadership Institute Graduates

Lion Christine Rowe

Richard Allen Budleigh Salterton

VDGE Kevin Moore Yeo Valley Ann Whitehouse Crediton

MUD MASTERS

Returning for the second year with more mud and more obstacles, the Mud Master Obstacle Course Race organised by the Lions Club of Weston-super-Mare welcomed 200 participants to overcome its challenges.

The event saw teams, individuals, clubs and partners tackle mud pools, cargo nets and Space Hoppers, to name but a few of the 20+ obstacles. The 5k, 10k or 20k course tested people’s strength, endurance and encouraged teamwork, not just from the pals that were persuaded to sign up, but from other individuals who were taking part.

Hosted by the Weston Lions Club alongside Puxton Park, this year’s main beneficiaries are the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity, Weston Hospice care and Children’s Hospice South West. All proceeds raised go towards supporting these charities and the local community. This year’s event raised over £5,000.

The event saw volunteers from the charities, local clubs, friends and families of the Lions and local photographers who all helped out and make the day such a success.

The Mud Master was the first big event of the year by the Weston Lions, and now the planning for the Real Ale and Cider Festival has begun! The festival is a well-loved event, and many thousands visit over the weekend and, in doing so, help support the chosen charities! This year’s beneficiaries are Weston Hospice care, Sands, Pancreatic Cancer UK and Go Kids Go.

Lion Victoria Bach

Emma Brookes Photography

Lewisia Photography

Lion Victoria Bach

Aside from these big events, the Weston Lions have still been supporting the local community in many ways. The first winner of the Pride of Weston Lions Aware, in memory of Bryan Fowler, was named in March at the 50th Charter Anniversary. The local charity, Our Way Our Say, (OWOS), received a donation

towards the charity as well as a personal gift in recognition of all its hard work. The Lion’s Club has donated to OWOS on other occasions as its outreach and goodwill in the community and the activities and projects it runs are amazing and so worthwhile.

Michelle Clearly from OWOS, explained what the Pride of Weston Lions winning donation would be used on –“We have desperately been looking for a grant to start an intergeneration garden group to fix up an overgrown garden area. We are doing this as lots of local people live in flats with no garden, so it would be fab if they helped make this into a usable space to use ongoing. Your funds will help us do a little pilot project on the idea and film it in the homes. It will work in funding bids we do to run it across the year.”

The Lions Club also donated £500 to Aishahs Food Charity, which gives away 100s of meals a week to local people and refugees, and which also contribute hot meals to two other charities that help the needy.

A Casino Night was held in which the Lions served as croupiers for blackjack, roulette and on the dice table – all in support of the Fly High Charity who were raising funds in memory of Terry Gilbert to help other charities in need.

BRIDPORT LIONS CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF SERVICE

More than 40 members of Bridport Lions Club and their guests celebrated the branch's golden anniversary with a charter lunch on Sunday April 16th.

The event to mark 50 years of the club was held at the Bridport and West Dorset Golf Club, where

Lions from across the district gathered, some from as far away as the Isle of Wight.

They were joined by the Mayor of Bridport, Cllr Ian Bark, and his wife Anne, plus the Lions Club 105 South West District Governor, Lesley Chudley.

Lion John Webb was presented with a certificate marking his 50 years of service, during which time John and his fellow Lions have raised more than £250,000 to assist individuals and organisations in the local community.

A 45-year service certificate was also presented to Lion Malcolm Young.

President Sheila Greenaway spoke of some of the highlights of the past 50 years, but also looked to the Lions' future fundraising plans, particularly with the return of the Swimarathon in October.

Lion Sheila Greenaway

Club Certificate of Appreciation presented to Bridport Lions Club President Lion Sheila Greenaway

Lion John Webb receives his 50 years Service Award from District Governor Lion Lesley Chudley

Lion Malcolm Young receives his 45 years Service Certificate from District Governor Lion Lesley

EASTER EGG RAFFLE

This amount is due to the continued outstanding generosity of the public of Truro and surrounding areas, especially in these very difficult times. We are extremely grateful to all who entered the draws. We would like to express our appreciation to the management teams of the Pannier Market and Joe at E Cigs R Us, who allowed us to locate there and sell our lines, and to all the patrons of the other 30 locations who actively promoted our Giant Eggs to their customers. Also, thanks to Waitrose and Tesco for allowing us to do store collections.

Finally, many thanks to our Lions and partners who manned our market and store locations.

In the early part of March, Truro Lions Club started its 2023 Giant Easter Egg campaign in the Pannier Market plus around 30 locations (mainly pubs) in Truro and surrounding areas; also, Easter store collections at Waitrose and Tesco.

This year we chose Truro Foodbank as the main recipient of the funds raised and we are also supporting Young Carers, Cornwall Accessible Activities Programme (CAAP) CHAOS and Cornwall Refuge Trust.

We are proud to announce that after concluding the draws at the Easter weekend, we have raised an excellent total of £2,500!

We will be arranging suitable dates to present cheques to the local good causes mentioned above.

Lion Geoff Kaye

VISIT TO LITTLE HARBOUR

"Recently April the 24th several Lions and wives made a visit to Little Harbour, the Children’s Hospice at St. Austell.

looks after Reception and Admin. It was very informative and sometimes emotional to see first-hand the work carried out at the Hospice and how they care for their patients and families in the most difficult of circumstances.

We saw 6 very comfortable chairs and stools purchased with our donations for each Childs bedroom, purposely for the comfort of a parent when close to their child, day or night. We also purchased 2 Medication Pumps which are essential medical items and replaced their older models. During COVID shutdown we gave an interim donation of £11,000 to assist cash flow when their fund raising was curtailed.

Following the visit Amanda Masters wrote the following comments.

The purpose of the visit was to have a tour of the premises and view first hand items purchased with our recent donation, which totalled £22,000. This project initiated by Lion Keith Wellington was to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Lions Club of Truro in 2021. Lion Keith was the chairman of what was called the 50/50 Appeal, with the initial aim of raising £40,000 to be shared equally between Childrens Hospice SW and Cornwall Hospice Care. Despite the restrictions placed on us by covid the Club still managed to raise a fantastic amount of £44,000.

Amanda Masters, Area Fundraiser for Children’s Hospice South West said “On behalf of all of the children and families that we support at Little Harbour I would like to thank Truro Lions for all of their hard work in fundraising and for giving us such a generous donation. We really do rely on the support of the local community to ensure we can keep providing vital care to families, so it means so much to us that you are part of that.”

Please pass on our sincere thanks to all the Lions for their continued support, everyone at Little Harbour appreciates it so much

See you at Rainbow Run

Present were Lion President Geoff Kaye and Norma, Lion Keith Wellington, Lion Alan Downie and Lesley, Lion Peter Read and Brenda and Lion Mike Kalis.

The excellent tour was given by Amanda Masters CHSW Area Fundraiser for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and Becky Jolliffe who

Lion Geoff Kaye

Local Lions clubs unite in the interests of humanity.

The Lions Club of Plymouth and Plymouth Tamar Lions Club collect unwanted spectacles from various locations throughout the city and surrounds, which are being sent to be to graded and refurbished in Warsaw, Poland. From there they are distributed for use in countries that are desperate for spectacles for needy people of all ages with sight problems.

Callington Lions club frequently runs transport to Poland and then onward to Ukraine with urgent supplies of clothing and food for the people of this war-torn country. The club has kindly offered on this occasion to take the spectacles (about 1,800 used pairs in three boxes) collected by Plymouth and Tamar Lions Clubs to Warsaw, thus saving additional transportation costs. Local Lions pulling together!!

Cornwall & Devon ‘sendinglovetoukraine’ was set up by Darren Tait a taxi firm owner in

GRAND EASTER EGG DRAW

The Lions Club of St Austell has raised a total of £1,368 from its 2023 Grand Easter Egg Draw and would like to thank the following local businesses for supporting Lions and, of course, the many generous members of the public who bought tickets!

The Western Inn; The Polgooth Inn; AJ's, Carlyon Bay; The Carlyon Arms; The Fountain Inn, Mevagissey; The Dolphin Inn, Grampound; The Hewas Inn; The White Hart Hotel; The Four Lords, St Blazey Gate; Smorgers; Griggs Farm Restaurant; The Crown, St Ewe; Treacle Tea Room; The White Pyramid, Trewoon; and our Sponsor, St Austell Printing.

All proceeds will go to the Merlin-Cornwall's Neuro Therapy Centre, and local Lions charities.

Callington and because of Callington Lions Club giving a helping hand, he joined the club!

The next trip to Poland is scheduled for 28th May. Roughly doing one trip every month, his van cost about £1,200 to do the round trip, ferries, hotel, and fuel for each trip: All funded by generous donations. A big thank you goes to all Lion supporters who donate towards this worthwhile cause.

Lion Roger Dovey

For further information contact: Lions Club of St Austell President, Barbara Trenerry Tel: 01726 74942 trenerryb@gmail.com

Lion Roy Russell

PSA TESTING

Frome Lions recently held a free PSA testing event at the Frome Methodist Church at Wesley Slope Frome for men from Frome and surrounding area, in conjunction with the Somerset Prostate Support Association (SPSA).

A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is a blood test that looks for markers of prostate cancer or prostate abnormalities. A 'red' result means a higher-than-normal antigen count and could indicate that a higher risk of prostate cancer is present.

A PSA test alone is not conclusive; however, it can be instrumental in early detection of cancer. Two hundred and fifty one men attended the event in late February, 12 of whom, we are now

SPORTING DINNER

Frome Lions 2023 sporting dinner was held at Elmhay Park, Orchardleigh Park on 30 March by kind permission of Mr Christopher Vincent.

The evening got underway with a brief introduction from Gavin Osborn to the chosen charity for this year “Julian House", which is a charity that supports vulnerable and at-risk individuals. These include adults and young people experiencing homelessness, escaping domestic abuse, adults with learning difficulties and people who need support after leaving prison.

After this, the 180 guests sat down to a superb meal and afterwards heard an entertaining talk from guest speaker Steve Harmison MBE DL, the former Durham, Yorkshire and England first class cricketer who represented England in 63 tests, 58 one-day-internationals, and two T20s between 2002 and 2009.

The proceeds from the event are still being finalised as we go to press, but it is hoped that the Lions will be able to donate in the region of £10,000 to the chosen charity.

The Lions would like to thank Connor Construction (South West) Ltd & The Richard Oatley Foundation for overall sponsorship of the event, Christopher Vincent for donating the

aware, were given a 'red' result.

All those attending the event were advised to have further tests if their PSA result indicated a higher risk. Whilst it is up to each person to arrange further tests, Frome Lions would like to think that we have helped those men as they would not have known about the risks without the test.

venue for the night, Andrew Lee for compering the evening and Martin Hemmett for conducting the auction, and last but not least, all the many individuals and organisations who so kindly and willingly donated items for the auction and raffle.

Lion Michael Geake

Pictured is Frome Lions President Beverley Windley with guest speaker Steve Harmison.

Yeo Valley Lions and Alzheimer’s Society

The association of Yeo Valley Lions and the Alzheimer’s Society is six years old on 9 May 2023! The Club is involved with three groups associated with Alzheimer’s:

Information and Activities Hub

This group is run by the Alzheimer’s Society and funded by Yeo Valley Lions (except for staff costs), with some volunteer input. It provides information to those living with dementia and also has a programme of activities (which the group members put forward). It now meets in Yatton Youth Club on the first Tuesday of the month, from 10 am until noon.

Singing for the Brain project

The Singing for the Brain project is run by the Alzheimer’s Society under contract with Yeo Valley Lions. The major five-year project, “Singing for the Brain,” involved financial support from Yeo Valley Lions, with several Lions and partners signing up as volunteers. Sessions are held fortnightly on Thursdays in the Old School Rooms in Congresbury. Refreshments are available from 2 pm, with singing from 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm. For use of the Hub and Singing for the Brain, a diagnosis of dementia/Alzheimer’s is required.

Yatton Coffee Morning

This is an informal, volunteer-run, drop-in group, recognised by the Alzheimer’s Society. It is funded by Yeo Valley Lions and meets in Yatton Youth Club in Rock Road on the last Tuesday of the month, from 10.30 until noon. For further information, please contact Alison on 0300 1234589.

Lion Val Dickens

SEACHANGE CHARITY

Seachange, a charitable organisation in Budleigh received funding from the National Grid to support the local community of Woodbury, Exmouth,

cookbooks to help local individuals and households.

Lion Richard Allen, President of Budleigh Salterton Lions Club who has taken delivery of the Slow Cookers said "I was delighted that Budleigh Lions Club could work with Seachange on this project. Hunger and Diabetes are two of our Global Causes. The provision of Slow Cookers to people in the local community can help provide them with relatively cheap, healthy and nutritious food."

Budleigh and surrounding villages with the increasing demands of the cost-of-living crisis.

A pot of money has been made available and held by Seachange to support local families who may need items to help keep them warm, safe, and well.

As part of this project a team from Seachange provided a “cost of living” pop-up clinic at the Budleigh Salterton Lions Club monthly Bingo evening to raise awareness of the array of energy saving initiatives available.

Budleigh Salterton Lions have been working with Seachange to distribute slow cookers and

New cooker for Littlemoor Community Centre...finally!

After numerous delays, cancelled delivery slots and delays finding a gas engineer, Littlemoor Community Action Group (LCAG) finally have a fully functioning cooker and hob fitted at the Littlemoor Community Centre, Littlemoor, Weymouth, thanks to a donation from Weymouth & Portland Lions Club.

Lion Richard Allen

Lion Kevin Brookes

NEW MEMBER

Weymouth & Portland Lions Club have a new member. Ann Weaving was badged at a recent dinner meeting of the club. Ann, who is the current Weymouth Town Mayor is no stranger to Lions events and functions. She has attended our beach Motocross event twice as the official starter, the Lions variety show at Weymouth Pavilion Theatre, Charter dinners and various fundraising street collections over the last two years. Ann becomes our 18th Lion.

Easter Egg donation to Weymouth & Portland foodbanks.

An easter treat was on its way to local foodbanks when Weymouth & Portland Lions Club donated 150 easter eggs to the Weymouth & the Portland Foodbanks. The club does make regular donations to the local foodbanks who are as busy as ever coping with the ever-rising cost of living. The club made a similar donation at Christmas with a donation of 150 selection boxes.

Lion Kevin Brookes

Lion Ann Weaving with Jim Shipton MJF, starting the first race at Motocross 23 on Weymouth Beach last October

Picture shows Vice President Ryan Hope with Lions, Trevor Stratton, Dave Woolford, Mark Lockie, Kevin the Lion and volunteers from the foodbank hub.

Callington Lions deliveries of aid to Ukraine is gathering momentum

In last month’s SW Post, we, Callington Lions, reported on the difficult weather conditions in delivering humanitarian aid to Ukraine via Poland in February. Since that report two more missions have been undertaken delivering much needed items such as: hospital and first aid equipment, 6,000 pairs of spectacles, winter clothing, nappies, generators and much more.

In addition, the movement, started by the charity ‘Sending Love to Ukraine’ and supported by Callington Lions, has grown and is now backed by many other Lions clubs across the region, including Tavistock, Weymouth & Portland and Looe. See Kevin’s You Tube video of the Feb trip #09: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd_0fzrg5ok

Lion Darren Tait, who formed Sending Love to Ukraine, says that the momentum created, and the sympathy generated for the Ukrainian people is immense. He added that they are now getting much support from the health sector such as Plymouth Hospital, including IV drips and the like which could not be used here, but were well appreciated in Ukraine. It also included such items as hearing aids for orphans/young children who had suffered hearing loss. A special link has now been created between Plymouth Hospital’s Audiology Department and a Ukrainian hospital.

DG Lesley Chudley made a special surprise visit to Callington’s April meeting to thank the club and all the effort that it has put into the Ukrainian mission. She especially thanked Lion Darren Tait for all his efforts in forming the charity and leading the convoys to Poland, issuing him with her DG Certificate of Appreciation. In return, Lions Andrew and Emma Burnard handed Lesley a Certificate of Appreciation for the support she had given for this work.

Lesley also thanked Emma and Andrew for giving their talk at the 105SW Convention in Croyde Bay. In their talk they highlighted the suffering being experienced by many Ukrainians “there wasn’t a dry eye in the audience”.

At the Convention, Andrew and Emma were presented with Lions International medals for their service and commitment to Lions by Swedish Past International Director Mats Granath.

The next trip will be on the 28th May, so if anybody would like to donate money towards the cost of the trips then please go to https://sendinglovetoukraine.org, it will also keep you posted on what is needed.

To watch Andy and Emma’s presentation to Convention. Follow the link to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37v3Dk_-slE

Lion Derek Prickett

VIRTUAL BALLOON RACE

At our last business meeting Weymouth & Portland Lions Club agreed to support District Governor Lesley’s appeal, and to purchase 25 balloons for the Coronation virtual Balloon race in aid of Brain Tumour Research which starts on the 7th May 2023.

This was on the understanding that should the club win any of the cash prizes, then that prize money will also be donated to Brain Tumour Research. Win-win!!

Lion Kevin Brookes

Donation to an up and coming star

Once again Weymouth & Portland Lions Club are delighted to be able to contribute funding towards another local star in the making. Elliot Gover is a apprentice stone mason and has been taking up Ju-jitsu martial art for the past 2 years. His talents and his desire to achieve and his sense of spirit, certainly comes through. Local school teacher Alex Furhmann says, “I have also come to learn about his character, background and positive relationships he holds with his younger siblings who have certain struggles in their own regard. Being 17, working as an apprentice and having this year to now enter adult competition, I thought he might be a worthy local youngster that we might collectively rally around. His coach Chris has given me assurances that Elliot is very well advanced for his age and any/all opportunities to support him would be well placed”. Our £150.00 donation will be put together with other donations from other local service groups in Weymouth.

Until then...

Lion Kevin Brookes

Lion Kevin Brookes