Keeping their distance as chain of office handed over by Lions Club
A LIONS club has found a fun way to mark the handover of the president role despite the coronavirus lockdown.
Barwell and Earl Shilton Lions Club usually has a big social event in June each year to mark the occasion, with a ceremony to bring in the new president.
This year the group decided to uphold the tradition with an open air, socially-distanced handover of the chain of office.
John McQuillan has now taken up the role. Despite the club not being able to meet or hold fund-raising events, members have kept in touch via Zoom meetings, so they can make donations where appropriate.
The group has worked closely with the local area co-ordinator for Barwell and Earl Shilton at Leicestershire County Council, to help families in need.
Members have also helped their local Dial a Ride service with some funds to enable them to continue to operate during the Covid-19 crisis.
Donations have also been sent to a local foodbank and the Lions have been leafleting areas of Earl Shilton to let them know that they can donate to the foodbank by leaving items on their doorstep to be picked up.
A spokesperson for the club said: “We have sadly had to cancel our June Summer Ball, which would have been a massive fund-raiser for us.
“We have also had for a number of years a stall at the Hinckley Christmas Lights switch-on - sadly who knows if that will go ahead.
“Of great concern to us is the Barwell and Earl Shilton lights switchon as this is our fun event of the year, as we provide Santa and his grotto for both events and it would be devastating to us if we can’t provide this for the children.”