After a very successful winter with the real Santa in his grotto at both Wynterfest and Wymondham Garden Centre plus bucket collections at both Waitrose and Morrisons, Wymondham Lions have been busy giving away money to local causes. It is always good to support local groups and amongst those helped this year are food banks and kitchens, Scouts & Guides, MND, Roots Café, the Heritage Museum, Starthrowers, the Dementia Group, special cases presented by social services and many more.
Lions' motto is 'We Serve' and we do more than raise money to give away. We recently collected in Morrisons for Marie Curie and were at the Royal Norfolk Show in June giving away free wrist bands to children so that their parents/guardians can write in a contact number in case their child gets lost. We have in the past given bands to dolls, dogs, grannies and a ferret. This is a free service provided by Norfolk Lions, who man every gate and provide the wristbands as well as the labour. We will also be manning the gates at the Wayland Show in Watton on August 4th.
Look out for us at this summer's Jazz Picnic (13th July) with our burger and banger BBQ, and a tremendous tombola.
Later on in the year we will see our (world famous?) Quiz'n'Chilli at Central Hall on October 26th. Teams of up to 6, £12 per person, BYOB. Details of how to enter a team will be released in due course (as the politicians say). Carols at the Care Homes will take place in December. Claire and the South Norfolk Community Choir will be joining us again as we sing the residents’ favourite carols. Santa will also be giving all the residents a present each from the Lions. A couple of days collecting at Waitrose pays for the presents. We now have a card machine, as fewer people seem to be carrying cash.
A grotto is on the cards again at the Garden Centre (date TBC) but there is no sign of a Wynterfest this year. Perhaps something will happen where our grotto can be added to an event to give it greater appeal.
January will see the annual Burns Supper and Ceilidh in conjunction with Rotary. This is a truly special evening and should not be missed.
Wymondham Lions are a group of public spirited people with no limits on race, colour, creed or gender who get together to try to help others. We meet upstairs at The Feathers pub on the last Tuesday of each month (except December). All are welcome. We are always looking for like-minded people to come and see us, become members or just volunteer to lend a hand now and again. We can be contacted on 0345 833 5749 or jamwilde@hotmail.com. We would love to hear from you.
