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March 2025 | Phonebox Magazine 41Time to Roll Our Sleeves Up!It%u2019s been a bit quiet lately %u2013 but it%u2019s time for us Lions to wake up and ROAR.But before we start, we have some great news this month:Firstly, we were absolutely delighted to receive a very handsome cheque from %u2018The Olney Group%u2019 (TOG). This was in recognition of the help we gave them during their RiverFest and Fireworks Events (and because they think we are good eggs). Thank you so much guys. We really appreciate your support and the fabulous work you do for the town. It%u2019s extremely pleasing and satisfying for our work to be recognised by our local community.Secondly, we have an exciting new sponsor. A couple of us met with Ash and his team, from the Naga Tandoori restaurant recently. Ash has very kindly agreed to support a number of our upcoming Lions projects. This is excellent news, and we really look forward to working with them going forward.DONATIONS We raised a goodly amount of charity funds during the Christmas period, so we had a bit of a bumper month for agreeing donations at our February business meeting. In line with our Constitution, we try to make donations to International causes, National causes, and mainly local charitable organisations. The following comments illustrate this.Donation to Newport Pagnell ScoutsWe reaffi rmed our donation to contribute towards a trip to Ypres in Belgium, to take the Cub Scouts and Scouts to experience the battlefi elds, and to generate some remembrance of the First World War.Donation to Newport Pagnell Youth ClubWe agreed to support a visit to %u2018Climb Quest%u2019 for Youth Club members. The main purpose of the trip will be to achieve a successful climb for all those present, by working together and helping each other. Participants will aid those with a natural fear of heights to achieve things they thought they could not, and will plan together to reach the ultimate goal. These are valuable skills that participants will be able to use throughout their lives.Donation to Cowper and Newton MuseumWe agreed a donation to the Cowper and Newton Museum.Donation to Woodland TrustWe agreed a donation to the Woodland Trust, being a part of the proceeds from our calendar sales, which we hope will contribute towards the planting of new trees that will off set our paper usage on the calendars. Donation to Harry%u2019s PalsWe agreed a donation to Harry%u2019s Pals, a charity that provides emotional support to mums and dads going through every parent%u2019s worst nightmare, fi nding out that their son or daughter has a lifethreatening illness or disability that will greatly aff ect their quality of Newport Pagnell & Olney Lionslife and/or life expectancy. Harry%u2019s Pals provides respite, and allows parents to fi nd coping mechanisms and ways forward through what is, for most, untenable circumstances.Donation to Lions International Disaster Appeal We agreed a donation to the LCIF Appeal for help in supporting people suff ering the eff ects of the wildfi res in California.FUND RAISING Town CalendarsWe%u2019ve about wrapped up our calendar campaign for 2025. We reckon we%u2019ve raised about %u00a32,500 in total (including one or two sponsorships that are still due in). A massive thank you to our sponsors, our retailers and, of course, the generous folks of Olney and Newport Pagnell.Curry Night and Fun QuizWe are planning a Curry Night and Fun Quiz, with great food, a raffl e and live music. This event will take place on 15th May at the Naga Tandoori Restaurant. Tickets are %u00a325 each. Contact us at: npandolions@gmail.com to book your tickets.Lions Motorama 2025Planning for this event is progressing well, involving support from Olney Classic Car Club. STOP PRESS %u2013 we%u2019ve had a request from a Maserati group to see if they can bring some cars along. Yes please.SERVICE ACTIVITIESHearing Aid RecyclingIn addition to our other recycling projects, we also collect hearing aids for recycling / re-purposing. Retired Lion John Ferris is our champion for collecting hearing aids. This period he sent off another batch on our behalf, making nearly 2,000 units in this Lions year. We%u2019ve also collected a number of hearing aid batteries too. Thank you John.Spectacle RecyclingWe%u2019ve recently collected nearly 5,000 pairs of used spectacles. This month, we plan to start them off on their journey, by transporting them to Lions District Headquarters in Birmingham.MEETINGS and SOCIALSOne of our Members, Lion Callum, made a trip to the States this month. While there he was given a few souvenirs from a local Lions club.Other planned activities:Attending a %u2018Thank You%u2019 Night with The Olney Group, 27th February.Attending Lions District Convention, w/e 28th February to 2nd March.Holding our Business Meeting, 3rd March.Participating in the Lions Quiz with Milton Keynes Central Lions, 26th April.Motorama 2025, June 8th.Canal Boat Cruise in the Summer.That%u2019s all folks!Callum Climb Quest The Woodland Trust Hearing Aid batteries