Retford Lions Club looks back on busy year

by | 15 January 2019 | Lions, Retford

Retford Lions trust you had a superb Christmas and wish you a prosperous and Happy New Year. You possibly saw them at the Christmas Market, at the Grotto in the Town Hall where Santa greets children and when they brought around Santa’s Sleigh. Most folk also know the club run the Duck Race for charity funding on Charter Day
Most folk recognise Retford Lions, but not everyone knows that Lions clubs are specific to their own locality.

Retford Lions Club is the only Lions club which supports Retford and district charities, good causes, etc. Similarly North Notts Lions support North Notts and district, whilst Worksop Lions support Worksop’s needs, etc.

Lions do not make any profit, they generate an income stream which is redistributed locally! A very small amount raised by every Lions club goes to a well managed worldwide central fund for instant emergency distribution. When needed earthquakes and similar are supported very quickly, often with funding in the millions. It is important to stress that Lions clubs distribute all they collect; all admin funding comes from members’ subscriptions and internal fundraising.

The Lions hold special events for individual causes to provide dedicated income; for example on 18th July 2018 the Retford club held a golf competition day to support Bassetlaw Hospice and Cancer Research, providing sums of £3,000 to each organisation afterwards. Bad weather caused the cancellation of their other big fundraising Cricket Field event in September — the Motor Show; but watch out for the 2019 event!

They don’t always get publicity for some events and fundraisers they undertake. Frequently recipients would not want publicity because they are private individuals. However, here are just a few of 2018’s donations to causes they can provide details of:

  • Golf Day — Lions’ President Kath Bradley presented a cheque for £3,000 to Bassetlaw Hospice.
  • Zip Wire — Rampton PC Zip Wire in Pinder Park Community Playground, Retford Lions provided funds to help here.
  • Swimathon — Retford Lions helped at the Swimathon held by the Retford District MS Support Group. Two members of the group, who have the condition, proudly swam 22 lengths each raising funds to give support for the local MS community. Pathfinders Neurological Care Centre from Ollerton also joined in the Swimathon.

Did you know that the club also provide collectors for local Marie Curie collections? That they raise monies for local branches of nationwide charity organisations too? Cancer Research, Macmillan Nurses etc.

Over the last year, donations were given to: Hallcroft Infants school for a running track, Starlight Childrens fund, From the Heart, Sightsavers, Street Children, Edukits, Retford Life Saving Club, and the Food Bank to name a few. Also they funded several students making educational trips abroad. On some occasions Retford Lions Club andRetford Rotary Club jointly contributed.

Thank you all for supporting the club so wonderfully, because without your generous donations they could not provide so much to so many.