Hailsham community charity cancels multiple events

Hailsham Lions Club has cancelled their July 5 Family Fun Day and Dog Show - which they hope to reschedule for next year – their 50th birthday celebrations have been postponed and their ‘much-loved’ bookshop closed due to lockdown guidelines.

The club is still being run by its members via online meetings and they say they have been able to financially support some charities and projects, including Hailsham Cricket Club’s NHS care packages for front line staff.

Lions’ president Kathy Butler - who is recovering from coronavirus - said, “We didn’t think twice about making a substantial donation to help Rob Wilkinson and his cricket club colleagues Harry Chatfeld and Lewis Williams.

“These young men sprang into action after watching a video showing an NHS staffer crying at not being able to access food after coming off a long night shift.”

The Lions club said their members Geraldine Gurr and Keith Dickman delivered ‘vast quantities’ of supplies to Eastbourne Food Bank, and a donation was made to help the Food Bank for the future.

The club also supplied equipment for a community allotment, which Kathy said ‘is a vital project for so many’, that is maintained by the mental health care service Sussex Community Development Association.

The Lions Club also helped the Sunflowers Mental Health and Well Being CIC project.

Kathy said, “We were contacted by Mary Laxton on behalf of the NHS Angels. Mary has sixty people sewing masks for front line workers.

“The Police Federation made a donation initially towards Mary sourcing new material for the masks, and the Lions were happy to help out as well.”

A club spokesperson said the funded projects are indicative of the way Hailsham Lions are helping others during the pandemic and that the club will consider further requests for financial support for ‘as long as funds last’.

To apply for support email [email protected], or call 0345 8339828, or via their Facebook page or website www.hailshamlions.co.uk

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