AN EVENT at Wokingham Town Hall celebrated fundraising success.
Wokingham Lions Club reflected on the year past and on what is to come.
Outgoing President Andy Goffin said: “The heart of what we do is bringing people together, which we’ve done at numerous events throughout the year.”
This past Lion Year, the club ran its first Wokingham Swimathon, organised Wokingham Town Council’s Beating the Bounds event, and ran a fifth season of #Woky Comedy Nights at Wokingham Theatre.
In October, boots were laced for the Wokingham Walk, followed by the town’s torchlit parade and annual Fireworks Spectacular, raising more than £41,000.
November’s Wokingham Winter Carnival was cancelled due to bad weather, but December’s Christmas Can-Can, and Great #Woky Pub Quizzes continued the fundraising streak.
In February, the Lions took over the running of Wokingham Music Club at the Whitty Theatre and Winnersh British Legion, and have already organised six gigs, with ambitious plans for the future.
A second springtime Wokingham Walk preceded town calendar highlight, the Wokingham May Fayre.
This year the club has raised and donated more than £70,000 to local charities, youth groups, and individuals in need, made possible by the dedication of its members, people from all walks of life who are united by a shared desire to serve.
Lions Jane Bentley and Lyn Baily shared how the club’s Community Service team works with local charities and individuals in need, and Michelle Munro and Nicole from CLASP spoke about how the club had helped them in the last year.
Wokingham Lion Stan Hetherington received the Gerry Aggett Award (presented by his widow Ursula) in recognition of his significant contribution to the Wokingham area, along with a donation of £2,500 from Headway, Thames Valley.
Wokingham Town Council Mayor Cllr Louise Timlin, and her deputy Cllr Alwyn Jones attended, along with Laura Inskip and Alison Gair from Wokingham Lions Club’s major sponsor, Clifton Ingram.
Andy thanked all the club’s sponsors and supporters for the many and various ways they help with finance, press coverage, free supplies and practical assistance at events.
Laura said how much Clifton Ingram valued the relationship with Wokingham Lions Club, and that they looked forward to working with the club in the next 12 months.
The Lions will host Chris Difford co-founder of Squeeze, at Wokingham Music Club in September, and in June next year, will organise their third biennial Wokingham Classic Motor Show.
After Wokingham charities: Promise Inclusion, Building for the Future, and Younger People with Dementia, had all received a cheque for £5,000, as beneficiaries of the May Fair, Andy Goffin summed up his presidential year and thanked members for allowing him the privilege of leading them for a second term.
He said: “We have given 5,000 volunteer hours, served 33,000 people, raised and donated £70,000 and enabled other charities to raise £55,000 for themselves, a total of £125,000.”
He then handed over to Wokingham Lions Club’s new president Gareth (Gee) May, who inducted and welcomed into the club as an honorary member new Town Mayor, Cllr Louise Timlin.
For information, visit: wokinghamlions.org.uk
