Santa's tour round Southwell, Farnsfield and the villages came to a close on Saturday, 23rd December, with a static collection on King Street in Southwell.
Several members helped out as stewards at the Framework Christmas service at Southwell Minster.
We donated £1,000 to this year's REACH Big Give appeal.
Our Annual Carols for Everyone concert at Southwell Minster was attended by over 330 people as well as many children and parents from Holy Trinity School, Southwell.
Santa began his door-to-door collection on 6th December. Bleasby and Thurgarton were first on his route.
The Westgate Group party took place on 4th December.
November 2023
The annual judging of the ROAR competition took place at Lowe's Wong Junior School.
A group of Lions supported the Missing Persons charity at the G4 Christmas concert at Southwell Minster.
We delivered an early Christmas gift of Christmas trees, lights and decorations to the new Reach accommodation in Southwell.
Southwell Lions were represented at the town's war memorial on Remembrance Sunday, when we joined other groups in laying a wreath in memory of those who have given their lives in defence of our country.
Our annual November Quiz raised around £2,300, which will be distributed among local, national and international good causes.
October 2023
Our annual Swimathon took place at Southwell Leisure Centre on 14th October.
We made donations to:
Farnsfield St Michael's School for its DAaRT programme
Farnsfield Bowls Club for two new 'pushers'
Newark & Sherwood CVS to fund their Butterfly friendship groups
Kids Cancer Charity to send a family of a child with cancer on holiday
Minster School PTA towards some new outdoor furniture for the students
Lions International's appeal for the victims of the recent earthquake in Morocco
Members helped out at Framework's 'Big Sleep Out' at Nottingham Racecourse.
The planters that welcome residents and visitors on all roads into Southwell were replanted by Lions volunteers
September 2023
We distributed around 150 Message in a Bottle (MIAB) emergency information kits in Southwell, Newark and surrounding areas.
Our annual Macmillan Coffee Morning and street collection raised £2,000 for Macmillan Cancer Care.
Lions and friends gleaned over 5,500kg of fruit for the needy at Starkeys Fruit Farm.
We gave Farnsfield Cricket Club £100 for glow sticks and other items in their kids tent on their community sports day.
August 2023
A small group of Lions helped to replace fencing around the Potwell Dyke Grasslands.
We attended the opening by Framework of a new block of flats for homeless people in Nottingham, having made a donation towards the building in 2022.
July 2023
We made donations/pledges to: * Ben Greatbach, an up and coming basketball coach, to enable him to set up a coaching programme for disabled basketball players in Southwell * Southwell Cricket Club towards its appeal for a new heavy roller * Childrens House Nursery in Southwell, to buy new inclusive play equipment for children with special needs
Club members got together at the annual President's BBQ, which also celebrated our new President, Ian Gillings.
Ian Gillings took over as President of Southwell Lions from Alastair Murray.
A cohort of Lions were on car park and road closure duty at the Farnsfield Party in the Park on 9 July.
The Ukrainian families enjoyed a BBQ provided by the Lions (although cooked by master BBQ chef Paulo).
June 2023
We presented £600 to Farnsfield Tennis Club's junior section following the Duck Pluck at their open day.
We ran a stall at the Southwell Community Garden Party at which those attending the event could try their hand at traditional pub games.
We made donations/pledges to: * Reach, for its annual Big Give Christmas Challenge * Halam School towards its 2023/24 DAaRT programme * Framework for its Lifeline appeal, to help the homeless become digitally connected
May 2023
The Lions Duck was let loose on Southwell Market to sell tickets for the following week's Duck Pluck in aid of Farnsfield Tennis Club's junior section.
The Coronation Quiz on 12th May raised almost £1,300.
We made donations/pledges to: * Magic Breakfast, charity that delivers free breakfasts to school children facing hunger every day to ensure they start their day the right way; * Friends of Southwell Parks towards the new skatepark: * an elite athlete at the Minster School, to help with essential equipment as she aims high.
April 2023
The fifth instalment of the Ukrainian Families Story Club took place at the Methodist Church Hall and in Southwell Minster.
Four of our members received long service awards.
We supported Framework at its annual service at Southwell Minster.
We made donations to:
Happy Days Childrens Charity
Southwell Swimming Club towards new diving blocks
Tü Vida, a young carers' support charity, towards a special day out to give them an exciting break from their caring responsibilities.
Primary Wellbeing, a new mental and emotional wellbeing service for primary school aged children
Southwell First Responders for new entonox kits
March 2023
We visited Lowdham CofE Primary School for the graduation presentation for this year's DAaRT programme (Drug and Alcohol Resilience Training).
We held three more Ukrainian Families Story Club sessions for Ukrainian families with children living in our area.
We gave donations to:
Robin Hood Disabled Riders towards a weekend trip to Calvert Lakes in Keswick
A local Guide, part of her fundraising for a Guiding and service trip to Denmark
Lowes's Wong Junior School, Lowdham Primary School and Kirkington Primary School to cover half the costs of the DAaRT programme
Prostate Cancer UK
Several Lions dressed up in silly hats to raise funds for Marie Curie over two days at Morrisons in Newark.
We planted nearly 300 trees as part of the Trees for Climate scheme in Caunton, North Notts.
February 2023
We held one of our Partners' Meals at The Great Hall at Southwell Minster to thank our wives and partners for their support throughout the year.
The first Ukrainian Families Story Club was held, attended by 20 children and parents.
We gave donations to
Bleasby Primary School for storage space and a canopy for their new outdoor learning area
Framework, towards the building work for six new flats for rough sleepers in Nottingham
Rainbows Childrens Hospice to buy new arts and crafts equipment and supplies, part of the therapy available to the young patients and their siblings
Lifespring Food Club in Ollerton, to help them buy in supplies
The Southwell Charity for the Poor & Sick Poor, to help fund their charitable work among the vulnerable in Southwell
The LCIF appeal for the victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, which is distributed by local Lions Clubs in the affected areas. Lions International matches these donations by individual Clubs so our donation is doubled.
January 2023
Christmas party for Ukrainian children was held on 7th January, the traditional date when the Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas. Click here for more.
We made donations to Farnsfield Methodist Church, towards a replacement heating system, and to Halam C of E Primary School, towards a new outdoor classroom.