Our local Lions Clubs raise thousands of pounds each year to support worthwhile causes in our community, including individuals, families and groups. This year, with the annual Santa sleigh trips around the area and all the usual fundraising events cancelled, the Lions are appealing for donations so that they can continue their local charitable work.
The six local Lions Clubs of Swindon, Chippenham. Marlborough, Highworth, Devizes and Melksham have a Facebook page entitled ‘North Wiltshire Lions’ which offers links to each of the clubs’ on-line donations pages. Click here
Marlborough Lions Club has set up a range of ‘Text to donate’ buttons and they would like people to text a number to donate. The information can be found on the club’s website here
Marlborough and District Lions have been working hard throughout the pandemic. They were successful in obtaining a grant from the UK Lions Headquarters which was used to supply PPE to volunteers involved in the Community Volunteer Help Scheme.
Since the beginning of the first lockdown the Marlborough Lions have sent a weekly pack of essential items to the Great Western Hospital Swindon for frontline staff dealing with Covid patients. The packs included drinks, snacks and toiletries.
A donation from a local business enabled the Lions to provide aprons, masks and hand sanitizer to our local care homes.
Some of the other ways the Lions support the needy are by providing reception packs for people who have to move to a hostel when they’re at lowest point in their lives; the credit on a gas and electric meter when outside it’s bitterly cold; a Christmas lunch for the elderly needy.
“These acts make a difference,” said Richard Yates, President of Marlborough Lions Club.
The Lions hope that the Virtual Christmas Appeal will go some way to make up the shortfall of £40,000 that is usually raised in a normal year. They hope the donations will enable them to continue to support the needy in our local towns and villages.
Richard told Marlborough.news, “The Lions of Swindon and North Wiltshire are coming together in a Virtual Christmas Appeal and asking for your donations to support their good works.
We’re asking people to give generously online, using our websites, or better still search on FaceBook for Wiltshire Lions, and follow the links to make donations.
Thank you, and a Merry Christmas from the Lions of Swindon and North Wiltshire.”