2016
2nd November 2016
We all took a bit of a breather after the Bracknell Show- what an amazing day!
We had BBC Radio Berkshire broadcasting LIVE from the event on the day, had wonderful weather and a huge turn out! There were also a huge number of people who stayed to enjoy the Elvis Tribute act in the evening and bring their own picnic. This year we really focussed on our marketing and PR which really paid off! Here's a great piece by the Get Reading Team: http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/bracknell-show-2016-sees-fun-11660271
We're starting the planning for next year already so watch this space!
October update! This month we've cleared all our Message in a Bottle requests (more info here: /events/messageinabottle.html), donated £200 to the LCIF Haiti fund, badged up two new members attended Burnham Lions charity quiz night and planned two festive events: 18th Dec at Martins Heron Tescos (charity tombola) and 20th Dec at Bond Way Waitrose (carols and collection).
In other exciting news, club members Mike and Brigid have set up their Gambia Appeal here: http://www.gambia.bracknellforestlions.org.uk/index.html
"In January this year, my wife and I (both Lions) visited The Gambia with the intention primarily of having a holiday. Whilst there we renewed the acquaintance of ex-Lion Kebba Cham whose university fees whilst in the UK studying had been paid for by the Lions Club of Burnham which was my wife's club at that time.
On his return to The Gambia with his degree, he is now working for an NGO, with its HQ in Richmond, VA, USA called ChildFund International. He is a Development Officer with this organisation and has responsibility for the management of many small villages in the bush. One of these villages is Gunjar Kunkujang which is about 20km from Banjul. It has a central population in and around the village of about 2000 inhabitants and supports a school with 800 pupils.
We were taken to the village by Kebba and met the Chief and his elders and, on asking if there was any way that we could help, the village had two requests: (1) a mobile medical clinic to visit on a regular basis and (2) an upgrade of their water facilities to enable it to reach more people. Number 1 was arranged easily as we knew through personal contacts that the Order of Missionaries of Charity (Mother Theresa's order) was seeking a second village to take their mobile clinic to every two weeks. Kebba was put in touch with the Superior of the order in Banjul and the provision agreed
Currently the water well which is powered by solar energy provides 10 taps to supply 2000 people including one tap which is designated solely for the school of 800 pupils. The goal is to extend the pipes and increase the taps to about 25 – if this were done then potentially water would be available to about 10,000 people in the wider area.
To achieve this the basic infrastructure would need to be upgraded – a new water tank to hold the higher capacity, new and larger solar panels to power the water supply and probably a new tower to take the extra weight. We have received one quote for this work so far and the cost is 1,114, 657 Dalasi which equates to about £18.5k sterling. The work can be managed in three phases (1) the installation of the new tank, panels and tower, (2) the provision of the first extension and then the final extension as stage 3
My Lions Club, Bracknell in 105D, have set up a bank account which will manage the funds for the project. As a couple, we are raising funds via a mydonate page on the Internet, by personal fundraising from families and friends both as a one off gift and ongoing contributions, and also our Region Clubs who have shown interest and at least two schools here in the local area who wish to promote this as a school project. Unfortunately there are no Lions Clubs in The Gambia but ChildFund International is prepared to manage and administer the funds locally if a grant is forthcoming.
My wife and I will jointly manage the project and have already booked to go back in November 2016 at our own expense to monitor progress and will make further visits if required.
Can you help us please to help Gunjar Kunkujang have adequate access to clean water?
Mike & Brigid Hendy"
--------------------------------
17th July 2016
We've been busy working away on the Bracknell Show (which is NEXT SATURDAY- 23rd JULY!!!), but inbetween working on all our normal service and fundraising work. A few month ago we had a vey poignant request from a local resident who needed carpets for her home. We worked with the brilliant Mick Brennan of local company Creative Carpets of Crowthorne High Street to get some new carpets into her home to help with her family life. Thanks Mick!
--------------------------------
10th May 2016
On Sunday it was the Bracknell Half Marathon. This is always a tough event- as if running over 13 miles wasn't hard enough, it's also a very hilly course. So you can imagine how the runners must have felt watching the weather forecast for the weekend and watching the temperatures creep up and up. However, they were all on fantastic form- good pace and smiling faces the whole way around. Bracknell Lions man (woman?!) 8 marshalling points between miles 3 and 4 and the money we are paid by the council to do this helps boost our admin account. This means that this, alongside the fee that we choose to pay to be members of the club ensure that all money donated to us goes directly to charity, and makes us be able to operate the way we do.
--------------------------------
23rd April 2016
Plans are well under way for the Bracknell Show 2016, on Sat 23rd July at Wildridings Playing Fields from 12-5, and then some live music and picnic time from 5:30-8pm! Stall bookings are starting to flood in and we have lots of exciting ideas lined up for the arena too.
In other news, we've had a few busy days so far this year. We spent a day collecting for Marie Curie Cancer Research at our local Tescos stores (thanks to everyone who donated). We've also managed to collect 200 pairs of used glasses for Spec Treck- an initiative from Chichester Lions to collect old unwanted pairs of glasses over the last 35 years. The glasses are checked over and then sent on to Medico France in Le Havre who have the equipment to clean and grade the spectacles ready for use in eye camps in Africa, India and Eastern Europe. Here are two of our club members at the collection point in Alton, dropping off our 200 pairs.
About 14,000 pairs have been collected all in this year, and the running total now stands at 2,973,150. Next year the Lions are hoping to break the 3 million pair barrier, and we're proud to have been part of that.
--------------------------------
9th November 2016
Time to promote some of the excellent work of a local fellow Lions Club.
Reading Lions are supporting a free prostate cancer screening blood test for local residents on 10th March 2016 at Circle Reading Hospital.
More information is available here on the Reading Lions Web Page. If you're applicable, please pop along. It could save your life.
--------------------------------
