Fayre’s fair for Lions’ chosen charities
A SUCCESSFUL May Fayre, despite the ongoing town centre regeneration works, meant that local charities are quids in.
Proceeds from the annual event, organised by Wokingham Lions, were presented to the Thames Valley Air Ambulance and Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service at a Lions meeting earlier this month, held at Wokingham Cricket Club.
Debbie Slay, president, Wokingham Lions Club, said: “We are once again pleased to be able to support two worthy charities, with a cheque for £3,000 to each organisation.
“We hope that this money will enable them to carry on their important work.”
The Wokingham Lions Club works with the Wokingham Town Council to organise the annual fayre. Profits are made up from proceeds from the sale of stalls, sponsorship and public donations on the day.
And the donations were welcomed by the charities.
Claire Redrup, community fundraising manager for Thames Valley Air Ambulance, said: “We rely on the generosity of the communities we serve. We are not Government funded and receive no National Lottery funding.
“Donations from the community are what keep our vital service operational.
“The generous funds from supporters such as the Wokingham Lions Club help us to deliver advanced care to people when the worst happens. We are now operational 19 hours a day, 365 days a year, attending more emergencies than ever.”
And Claire Coldicott, director of fundraising and communications at Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service, said: “We are delighted to receive a donation of £3,000 from the Wokingham Lions Club.
“This money will go towards running our day care services that opened in June this year, in our new state of the art hospice building just outside Maidenhead, to support families who have a child with a life threatening or life limiting condition.
“Children will be able to enjoy play sessions in our fully-equipped sensory room, as well as making a mess in the creative learning zone and music in our dedicated all-age music space.
“We can’t thank Wokingham Lions enough for their support at such an exciting time in our development.”
And it was not the only special presentation on the night. In keeping with tradition, Wokingham town mayor, Cllr Julian McGhee-Sumner, was inducted as an honorary member of the Lions.
Mrs Slay said: “We are pleased to welcome Cllr McGhee-Sumner as an honorary member of the club.”
www.wokinghamlions.org.uk or call 0845 833 7384.