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FESTIVE NEWS • DECEMBER 201��PAGE 25
LIONS SUPPORT FLYING MEDICS
Hereford Lions Club has donated a further £ 5,000 to help keep the Midlands Air Ambulance flying . The vital service was one of Colin Smith ’ s main projects during his year of office as club president and he started his term with a £ 5,000 cheque and after a successful year of fund-raising was able to end his presidency in July with another £ 5,000 donation .
Said Colin , who also supported Air Ambulance with £ 10,000 when he was president in 2003 , “ This is an absolutely vital service which receives no funding from Government or National Lottery , relying entirely on public donations . I am sure everyone who has supported Lions fund raising events will agree it is a worthwhile cause .”
Air Ambulance was launched 25 years ago with just one helicopter and has since carried out over 46,000 missions . Today , it operates three helicopters across the Midlands , including Herefordshire , at a cost of £ 7m a year . The cost of each mission averages £ 2,500 , so Colin ’ s two cheques have paid for four life-saving missions .
Pictured at the £ 5000 cheque presentation at the Air Ambulance base at Strensham are ( l to r ) Colin Smith , Dave Hartland , ( current lions president ) crew members Mark Dennis , Kelly Bennett , Mike Smyth and Simon Swancott , club secretary .
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losing their eyesight , and mobility , one of the first of the Batten symptoms , a disease n in Britain . his was an unbelievably kind gesture by Lions Club and will create lots of wonderful t forever ” ident , Colin Smith : “ Everyone in the club wanted to do something special for these ery uncertain future and a Disney holiday was the obvious choice .” to be funded by the club ’ s new Community Support Foundation set up with the proceeds mer Holiday Home in Burnham-on-Sea which for 40 years provided free holidays for two years ago . r the trip to Paris dad , Jody , told Festive News : “ This was a fantastic adventure for the brilliant with them and meeting all the wonderful Disney characters they had only their story books was extra special . We certainly have a book full of memories thanks
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BE A LIONS FRIEND
Lots of people want to do their bit to help their local community , but do not necessarily have the time or inclination to join an organisation .
Ian Foster , a member of Hereford Lions Club has come up with a simple solution – become a Friend of Hereford Lions Club and lend a hand with the club ’ s community service work whenever it suits you . There is no cost , no meetings to attend and no formal commitments . Just the opportunity to register as someone willing to devote some time when it fits in to your own busy schedule . It could be once a month or once a year . It could be an easy way to find out if community service is something you would enjoy doing .
For example it could be volunteering to drive the Lions mini-bus occasionally taking the elderly or the handicapped on an outing , playing Santa at the Lions Grotto or on the Lions Sleigh , serving drinks at the Lions annual Racenight , or being a parking steward at the Lions Car Boot sales .
Said Ian , who is in charge of the Lions community transport service , “ Many people have told me they would like to do something to help the community , but for a variety of reasons cannot make a full commitment . The idea of being a Friend with no formal ties is the ideal way around the dilemma .”
To find out more contact Ian Foster on 01432 880816
THANKS , SAYS MARLEY ’ S MUM
Watching Marley George set off on his first ride on his new bike bought by Hereford Lions Club ( see page one story ) are club president David Hartland and Marley ’ s mum Vanessa Gross . Marley , 18 relies on a wheelchair to get around but the specially built three wheeler is a life changer for the teenager . In a letter of thanks to the Lions Vanessa says : ” The bike is absolutely awesome for Marley , providing vital exercise to build his strength and stamina , but it also gives him the opportunity to go for a bike ride like other teenagers .” She added , ” The work Lions do helping people in the community is truly remarkable .”