WOKINGHAM Lions Club’s 50th Anniversary Year gave the group a packed 12 months.
And now, with new projects in the pipeline, the fundraisers are looking for more people to join in the fun.
The group organises many major borough events, including Wokingham May Fayre, two Wokingham Walks, the #Woky Comedy nights, #Woky Quizzes and the Can-Can Xmas collection.
“In 2024 we organised Beating the Bounds with Wokingham Town Council, ran our second Classic Motor Show, as well as our first Wokingham Swimathon,” said public relations and marketing officer for the group Debbie Slay.
“We also introduced our new Lions Share food collection scheme in association with Wokingham Foodbank, and we’re one of the four service clubs who organised the Wokingham Fireworks display which raised over £40,000.”
The group’s ReTec computer recycling scheme has also donated nearly 150 laptops and Lions Club members help run First Days Children’s Charity’s Uniform Shop on Thursday afternoons.
“The only disappointment of 2024 was the devastating but unavoidable cancellation of the Winter Carnival due to Storm Bert,” said Debbie.
The group held a golden celebration at Wokingham Town Hall in June, which included a potted history of the club narrated by Lion Mervyn Clark, which can be viewed online.
“As part of our celebrations throughout the year, we’ve been continuing our spirit of giving with 50 Golden Awards of £500, each to support local Wokingham charities and community organisations that wished to start a new initiative and needed help with funding,” she continued.
So far 46 of these have been awarded to:
1st Arborfield Scouts Group, 1st Twyford Scout Group, 2nd Crowthorne Scout Group, 3rd Wokingham (Mayor’s Own) Scouts, All Saints Church Wokingham, ARTS4WOKINGHAM, Assisting Berkshire Children to Read, AutAngel Community Interest Company
Berkshire MS Therapy Centre, Berkshire Music Trust, Berkshire Scouts, Building for the Future, Buttons & Bubbles CIC, Camp Mohawk, Diana Brimblecomble Animal Rescue, Epilepsy Berkshire, Hannah Tomsett, HelloBench, Herbie Hedgehog Rescue
Igniting Writing, Involve Community Services – Cancer Support Network, Just Around the Corner (JAC), Kaleidoscopic UK, Keep Hatch Primary School, Link Visiting Scheme, Me2 Club, Polehampton Swimming Association , Promise Inclusion
Read Easy Reading and East Berkshire, Sebastians Action Trust, SEND Voices Wokingham, Soulscape CIO, Starmaker Theatre Company , Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide, The Barkham Hookers , The Cowshed, The Kingfisher Club
The Wokingham Volunteer Centre, Twyford & Ruscombe Community Association, Wokingham and District Elderly Association, Wokingham Cricket Club, Wokingham Girlguiding, Wokingham Pantomime Group, Wokingham Pride, Wokingham Repair Cafe
A few more are still to be announced.
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Wokingham Lions president Andy Goffin, said: “After our fantastic golden year, Wokingham Lions Club are anticipating another successful year ahead with a mix of new and existing events for 2025.
“We’ll be organising the May Fayre, Winter Carnival, two Wokingham Walks, #WOKY Comedy nights, our renowned Quiz nights, a second Swimathon, and we’re continuing as one of the groups responsible for the annual Fireworks Spectacular.
“We’re also planning new events, including a Youth Fair in September, with further announcements yet to be made.”
With all their plans for the year, Lions are actively looking for new members to join them.
“We’re a busy and vibrant group of around 40 people who love what we do because, although it can be hard work, it’s fun and helps us all to enjoy a better quality of life,” said Debbie.
“If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to get involved in community events and help raise funds for local charities and individuals in need, then please contact us.
“Don’t worry if you’re unable to commit to anything regular, as we’re also looking to increase our bank of volunteers, known as Friends of Lions, who are willing to give a couple of hours when their time allows, to help out at major events.”
For more information, and to join The Lions, people should visit: wokinghamlions.org.uk, search for their Facebook page @wokinghamlions, or call: 0345 833 7384
The club’s potted history video can be accessed via: wokinghamlions.org.uk/50video
