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

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!!