January 2012
Thanks for all your support.
At a time of great economic uncertainty, and when many people are facing financial hardship, it has been fantastic to witness the generous response of the Meon Valley residents to our annual charity Christmas collections. Father Christmas in his sleigh clocked up many miles during December, covering the villages from east and west Meon in the north to Wickham in the south, plus all the areas in between. Over a period of three weeks the Lions amassed a record £4,887.40 in our Christmas collection buckets, as well as an amazing variety of foreign currency including Euros, Pfennigs, Canadian cents, US cents, Swiss cents, Pesetas, new halfpennies, old halfpennies, a farthing, and 29 old sixpences, including four pre-1947! The foreign change aside, all this money will go into the Meon Valley Lions charity account for redistribution over the coming year to people in need and local causes in our area. The way Lions operate means that every single penny we collect from donations like this, or profit from our fund-raising events, is used to help others. Unlike many other organisations, we use absolutely NONE of the money for salaries or administration. The Meon Valley may be in one of the more prosperous areas of the UK but that doesn't mean to say that poverty and hardship don't exist. Each month we consider numerous requests from individuals and groups in need of support of financial help - if you think we can help you or someone you know, please get in touch.
Dave and Pete burning Boxing Day bangers!
The mild winter weather has been a blessing this year, making the Christmas collections less of a "Scott of the Antarctic" endurance test and swelling the visitor numbers at a number of other events we've been supporting. In the Bere Forest, the Naomi House Hospice Christmas bauble hunt attracted hundreds of hungry people to our Barbeque stall, helping us raise around £700 for the Winchester based children's charity. On Boxing Day, the annual Hampshire Bowman BBQ also proved as popular as ever with walkers looking to blow away the festive cobwebs. They were joined by bikers and classic vehicle owners dropping by following their early morning rally in Wickham square. Lion Pete Meadows' renowned hot dogs and burgers proved the ideal antidote to the Christmas hangover and as a result we raised over £100 for the MacMillan Cancer charity, the Bowman's favourite charity. Thank you!
The New Year brings plenty of work and many new activities for the Lions - starting with the annual Ford Motor Company, Sports and Social club Sea Angling Fishing festival on Weston Shore. Also, plans are well underway for the Swanmore Carnival and Fete which this year is on Saturday July 14 - pop the date in your diary now!
