Knowle and Dorridge Lions celebrated another year of record achievements on Thursday 24th September, when the club held its annual presentation evening for sponsors at the Greswolde Hotel in Knowle.
‘We have been really lucky with the weather for our events this year’ said President Peter Smith. ‘We were delighted with the record support for all our events with more walkers, runners & cyclists than ever taking part in our Lions Festive Walk, Knowle Fun Run and Solihull Bikeathon helping us raise almost £57,000 for charity. Of this figure the Fun Run contributed £39,783, a very creditable figure in the recession.’
Peter thanked all the sponsors saying, ‘It’s great for our club of 25 volunteers to celebrate such success again, but without help from sponsors like yourselves in such difficult trading times our events would never realise so much for charity. We sincerely hope that the recession will not affect the generosity of our sponsors for next year.’
Andy Mitchelson, Brooks Sport
David Hofton, Director, Hunters
Judith Hunt, Partner, Standley & Co
Phillip Poyner. Partner Arundales
Mark Phipps, Manager, John Shepherd
Tom Smith, Timpson
During the evening the Lions presented cheques totalling over £31,000 to their three nominated charities – Macmillan Cancer Support, Whizz-Kidz & Lions Campaign SightFirst II.
Lion President Peter Smith
Lions Past International Director Howard Lee
Kay Aslett, Fundraiser , Whizz-Kidz,
Sharon Battersby, Fundraiser, Macmillan Cancer Support
Pippa Massingberd-Mundy, Whizz-Kidz Ambassador (front)
Wilf Davey explained that the Club retained a proportion of the funds raised for local causes explaining this had again been spent on coach outings and tea parties for older people and to benefit local children and disabled people. Money had also been used locally to support the refurbishment of Dorridge Village Hall and to provide recreational equipment for 8 to 13 year-olds in Knowle Park.
Community Service Chairman Bob Thurtle introduced former Arden school pupil Jenny Hawkin, one of 3 winners of the Lions’ Youth Travel Bursary this year, who has recently returned from teaching at an orphanage in Nepal. Jenny gave an interesting illustrated insight on life in Nepal and thanked the Lions for their generous Bursary.
Jenny Hawkin in Nepal with one happy pupil