Festive News 2017 2017 | Page 25

Community Action ES A DIFFERENCE ves,” said 98 year old Marion Jones as eat Western Court climbed aboard for an afternoon outing. The club’s been running since 1965 and is a real abled giving them an opportunity for Garden Centre at Three Cocks with a stop on the way home for an ice cream at Locks Garage To help meet some of the £7,000 annual running costs for fuel, insurance and maintenance Lions Club asks for a financial contribution from users. It also welcomes non-club members who volunteer to drive the mini-bus occasionally. One of them, retired police inspector Basil Patterson said: “I enjoy taking groups on the occasional outing and recommend it to others like me who have retired and have some spare time to help in the community.” Ian Foster can be contacted on 01432 880816. CASH FROM CAKES GIVEN TO LIONS Pupils at Wellington Primary School baked cakes for the Harvest Festival and sold them to family and friends and the donations raised £50. The youngsters then drew up a short list of local charities to donate the cash to and researched each one before voting on the one to receive the cheque. It was Hereford Lions Club’s lucky day and president Ian Foster went along to a school assembly to collect it and tell the children about Lions International and the work its 1.4 million volunteers do helping those in need all round the world. Said Ian: “It was a lovely gesture by the children and I assured them their donation would be put to good use helping Lions support those in need.” Ian pictured with the group of pupils who organised the fund raising Basil Patterson with residents of Ballinger Court heading for an outing to Queens Wood. project. e Riding for the Disabled chael King and Jessica Jackson in the saddle who has already ddition to the stables. Ian Foster’s first official duty as the new president of Hereford Lions Club was to present a new horse to Herefordshire Riding for the Disabled at their Holme Lacy eques- trian centre. Supporting the charity is one of his key aims. Trojan is a seven year old handsome Welsh Cob bought by the Lions for £3,250 and who has already won the hearts of all those who benefit from the therapy of horse riding. Said Ian: “Lions bought a similar horse for the charity several years ago and Trojan’s gentle nature makes him a natural companion for those with various disabilities. I, and my fellow Lions have been so impressed with the success of RDA that it was chosen as the first project of my year in office.” Rachael King, manager at the riding centre said: “Lions have long been generous supporters and the gift of Trojan, whose temperament is perfect for the role he has to play will have a huge impact on the service we provide for the disabled.” There are 11 horses and ponies at the volunteer centre providing riding therapy for 150 a week with ages ranging from four to 80. RECYCLED MOBILITY SUCCESS Brenda Bayliss of Putson summed up the success of Hereford Lions Club’s latest community project – recycling mobility aids for the disabled: “It’s a wonderful scheme; a real godsend for those like me who can’t walk. The mobility scooter Lions have given me gives me more freedom and I can take my dog for a walk down to King George playing fields.” The scheme was launched a year ago with an appeal for families with unwanted mobility scooters or wheelchairs to donate them to Lions Club to be refurbished and passed on to someone in need of one. Said Terry Williams, who runs the service: “The response has been very encouraging and we have been able to help quite a lot of disabled people who might not have the funds to buy a new scooter or wheel- chair. It makes sense to find a good home for an unwanted aid for the handicapped.” Terry can be contacted, either to donate or to request help, on 01432 276948 Terry delivers a sturdy scooter to Brenda. FESTIVE NEWS • DECEMBER 2017• PAGE 25