Page 78 - Phonebox Magazine March 2012

The Lions Den
www.npolneylions.btck.co.uk
More hard Work?
The Milton Keynes Clubs will be getting together again on 17th March when we will be joining the Woodland Trust and IKEA staff planting a number of trees in Hollington Wood, near Emberton. This is part of the Lions International Environmental Project in which we aim to plant over 1m trees globally. Find out more about it on our website at www.npolneylions.btck.co.uk and if you would like to help out, get in touch.
All Lions together
Orchard House is a care home located in Wolverton
and consists of 31 flats occupied by the elderly, many of whom need a little support from the staff but are otherwise able to live in their own homes. Built in 1960, it is run by Milton Keynes Council and over the years, the garden area had become overgrown. The
occupants were clearly unable to carry out the physical work needed to bring this up to a
high enough standard for
them to be able to enjoy
and the current
economic climate
within local
authorities has seen it deteriorate to what
some would describe as 'an eyesore'.
The Lions clubs in the Milton Keynes area decided that a little paint, a few plants and a lot of effort could
transform the garden into something which the residents would be able to enjoy and over a few weekends, the clubs got together to make the transformation.
It wasn’t all hard work,
however, as the residents ‘forced us’ to have tea breaks at regular intervals and
their home baking brought back many memories of the
days when Victoria sponges, banana bread and lemon drizzle cake could be found
in most houses at
elevenses. We were all
agreed, it was a real pleasure to help so many who truly appreciated our involvement and despite mucky hands, aching backs and the odd scrape and scratch, this is what Lionism is all about.
Have you seen a ‘Little Lion’ Egg?
Our Lion eggs are a bit bigger than the ones you
would get in the supermarket and won’t be found in
boxes of 6.You could win one in our Annual Easter Egg raffle which is being hosted
by a number of publicans and retailers in Newport Pagnell, Olney and surrounding villages as we work together to raise funds for good causes.
Buying a ticket for £1, you will
be helping raise funds for the
Lions Club and the charity which
the licensee or retailer wishes to
support as the profits are split equally between the club and the outlets favourite charity or cause.
Occasionally we are asked by a participant if the full sum can be donated to a particular cause and we are generally happy to co-operate.
This year, our egg at the Carlton House Club will have all the profits raised being donated to two places which
are close to the hearts of the members. Those who are associated with the Club will know of the recent sad passing of club Secretary Mike Smith. During his illness Mike spent a considerable time at both Harefield Hospital and Willen Hospice and at the request of the club, all proceeds from this egg will be split between these two organisations in memory of Mike. This is only a small token of the members appreciation for the care and attention which Mike and his family received whilst undergoing his treatment and the funds raised will go some way to helping others in the care of these two excellent organisations.
Over the years our Easter Egg draw has raised many thousands of pounds for good causes and we hope that this year gives us another ‘cracking’ result. If you see one of our eggs, please buy a ticket or two, and who knows, it could be your year to be able to tuck into this chocolate treat and really end up having “egg on your face” – all in the name of charity.
OLNEY BEAT LIBERAL IN
78 Phonebox Magazine
Thanks to Kevin Viney for supplying some of the pictures.
Well done Devon