Community Service
PRESENTATION TO MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY
In March 2011 Darlington Lions Club presented a £1000 cheque to Helen Nicholls, chairwoman of the Darlington branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Helen thanked Richard Western the Darlington Lions President for their generous support, saying this money will be used locally to provide members with transport to physiotherapy sessions and other important services.
The group meets monthly and members are invited to regular support sessions and events.
For more information go to -- www.mssociety.org.uk/darlington
In the photo, left to right, is Richard Western, Darlington Lions President, Helen Nicholls chairwoman of the Darlington branch, Multiple Sclerosis Society, and Sylvia Western, MS committee member.
WORLD SIGHT DAY 2010
Photo - left to right Micheal Turner, Chairman Darlington Blind Society, Conor Ryan,student, Neil Anderson Lions, Richard Western, President Lions, and Baher Ashour, student in High Row, Darlington.
To mark World Sight Day on Thursday 14th October, Darlington Lions Club joined thousands across the country who took part in raising awareness of blindness and creating the biggest blindfolded walk on record.
50m people are blind world-wide and over 1m are visually impaired in Britain Ireland.
The Lions world-wide have contributed £250m to assist in preventable and reversible blindness especially in developing countries where a high percentage of blindness is found.
The Lions' party who set off to Post House Wynd, included Baher Ashour and Conor Ryan both from Darlington College studying a Sports & Exercise Science degree and Micheal Turner, Chairman of the Darlington Society for the Blind.
Both Baher and Conor were blindfolded, given white sticks and were ably assisted by members of the Darlington Lions club.
Comments from Baher and Conor included the words, apprehensive, scary, odd, concerned, dependant on the person assisting, negotiating steps was difficult, but the white stick and guide were a big help. They were able to take off their blindfolds millions of people aren't so lucky.
Richard Western, Darlington Lions Club President thanked Micheal, Baher, and Conor for their assistance on World Sight Day. The Darlington Lions will continue to donate £250 annually to an eye camp for cataract operations in India as part of their world-wide giving donations.
HELP for YOUNG HARRIERS.
CLUB SUPPORTS YOUNG ATHLETES.
Darlington Lions Club support many worthy local causes and wherever possible that includes the youth of Darlington. When the Lions Club learnt that three teenage members of Darlington Harriers & Athletic Club had achieved the distinction of being selected to take part in the International Games for Catholic Schoolchildren it was delighted to offer some financial sponsorship.
As the Games took place in France help was needed with expenses.
Lion President Richard Western is shown presenting cheques to Leah Kennedy, Paul Clifford and Nicole Burlinson at Eastbourne Stadium as they trained for the Games.
Sponsorship of Disabled Athletes
In the 2008 - 09 session Darlington Lions Club helped 3 disabled athletes attend various special sporting events. John Hutchinson and Steven Hardy competed in the National Summer Special Olympic Games in Leicester and Denise Baker swam in the British Transplant Games in Coventry
John aged 27 and Steven aged 28 represented the Northern Region in the National Summer Special Olympic Games in Leicester. 2200 disabled athletes took part in 21 different sports from 25 - 31 July. 1500 volunteers were recruited and 6000 family members and friends were in Leicester to support the athletes.
The Opening Ceremony took place at the Walker Stadium. Sarah and Gordon Brown, Tessa Jowell (Olympics Minister), Tim Shriver of the Kennedy family (founders of the Special Olympics) and Laurie McMenemy were there to meet the athletes. A special fanfare was composed and played by the world famous Philharmonic Orchestra to welcome the Olympic Flame.
John has been a gymnast for 15 years. He trains three times a week at Gymworld in Middlesbrough. In 2007 he represent Great Britain in the World Games in China. In Leicester he achieved 3 Gold, 2 Silver and a Bronze gaining 9.10 in Rings.
Steven has now represented the Northern Region at two National Games. He has been a keen swimmer since leaving school and has trained at the Dolphin Centre on a weekly basis as well as enjoying a weekly swimming session with his day care provider. Steven achieved a personal best in the 100 metres, winning a Bronze Medal and a Gold in the 4 x 25 Relay.
John Hutchinson ( Left ) & Steven Hardy
ALSO
During 2009 we contributed towards swimmer Denise Baker's expenses in attending the British Transplant Games in Coventry where she won Gold for Butterfly, Silver in the 200m freestyle and a Bronze in the 100m freestyle.
We also helped her attend the World Transplant Games in Australia where she won two silver ( in 400 metres freestyle & 50 metre butterfly) and a bronze medal ( in 200metres freestyle) at the event which was held in Brisbane.
We wish these three enterprising competitors all the very best in their forthcoming endeavours.
700 CLUB
In 2011 Darlington Lions Club presented a further cheque for £1300 to the 700 Club, which supports the homeless in Darlington. Dr John Elliston MBE, CEO of the 700 Club gave an interesting and informative talk saying that they manage two hostels in Darlington which provides 29 units of accommodation for the homeless. The donations which Darlington Lions Club have made to the 700 Club over the last few years have assisted the funding of two projects. An Information Technology Suite consisting of five computers which has been set up to encourage basic computer skills and a large Poly tunnel in the garden to grow their own fruit and vegetables and then to assist in learning some cooking skills. This latest donation from Darlington Lions of £1300 came from money raised at a Craft Fair held at the Blackwell Grange Hotel in November of last year.
The photo shows Lion Pat De Martino, Craft Fair organiser, presenting a cheque for £1300 to John Elliston MBE CEO with Richard Western Darlington Club President and Yvonne Beattie Service Manager of the 700 Club.
HOSPICE PRESENTATION
In December 2009 Darlington Lion President, John De Martino, presented a cheque for £1500 from the Craft Fair to Guy Kendrew, of St Teresa's Hospice.
Pat De Martino, Friends of Lions, Craft Fair organiser, commented that this money had come from a successful Craft Fair held on 25th October at the Hall Garth Hotel.
A tour of the new Woodland Annexe completed last year was then given. This extension has increased the complementary therapies and counselling services, has enabled the existing services to operate more efficiently/effectively and has developed new services to support patients, their primary carers, and their families.
It has also enabled the development of a new service to support Children and Young People who have been bereaved.
Darlington Lions and Friends of Lions thought the new Annexe facilities were excellent and will be of great benefit to the Darlington community.
Photo shows left to right
Pat De Martino - Friends of Lions
John De Martino - President of Darlington Lions Club
Donna Owen - Health Care Assistant, St Teresa's Hospice
Shirley Gibson - Friends of Lions
John Clulee - Darlington Lions Club
PENSIONERS' CHRISTMAS PARTY 2011
On Saturday 10th December 2011 the Darlington Lions club held its annual Christmas Party for the elderly at Elm Ridge Methodist Church Hall.
Seventy-five elderly persons attended from all over the Darlington area and they enjoyed a Christmas tea and the entertainment by the Nice 'N' Easy Band.
Nice 'N' Easy Band played songs from the shows and Christmas songs.
The entertainment was then completed with Christmas Carols backed by an excellent pianist.
Club President Richard Western thanked all those for coming, the Nice 'N' Easy band, the pianist and all Lions and Friends of Lions for assisting in organising this Christmas party.
Photo shows Richard Western, Darlington Lions Club President with guests - presenting one of the prizes from our Christmas Draw.
