Horsham Lions: ordinary people working to do wonderful things

The most positive thing that has come out of this coronavirus pandemic is the way local people unilaterally decided to volunteer to support people within our Horsham Community who are vulnerable, in need of help to undertake what are every day activities.
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l Providing food boxes to the homes of people who cannot leave their accommodation.

l Providing transport to take them to important appointments.

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Horsham Lions in action SUS-201208-141837001
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l To undertake tasks at the Horsham Hospital and other hospitals in the area in support of our NHS.

l To undertake tasks in residential homes in support of our Community Service Teams.

Now that the demand for help is slowing down Horsham Lions Club is hoping that these ‘community-minded people’ would be willing to continue to support those who are in need of help in Horsham and local villages by joining Horsham Lions Club.

This article, along with one next week, (or series of articles over the next few weeks), which is being supported by The West Sussex County Times, will hopefully encourage local to make contact and join Horsham Lions Club.

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Horsham Lions in action SUS-201208-142052001

WHAT IS HORSHAM LIONS CLUB?

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Horsham Lions is part of a worldwide organisation known as Lions Clubs International, which has 1.4million members in 208 countries and was set up in 1914.

Horsham Lions was chartered in 1963 and has been serving the Horsham Community for 57 Years. Our Motto is ‘We Serve’.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF NEW

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Horsham Lions in action SUS-201208-142103001

MEMBERS?

There is an expectation that they will attend as many of the 11 club meetings as possible. These meetings are held on the fourth Monday of each month at 8pm.

At present we hold virtual meetings via Zoom. These meetings last no more than two hours.

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There is an expectation that new members will volunteer, wherever possible to help organise and run fund raising and service projects.

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Horsham Lions in action SUS-201208-141716001

There is an expectation that new members will, wherever possible, volunteer to help at fundraising and service events, particularly our Christmas Collections, Christmas Parcels Project and our Swimarathon held in March each year.

Whilst there is no compulsion, it is hoped that new members will join existing members on the second Monday or Tuesday each month for a social get together. This is usually at a local pub or restaurant.

HOW DO WE RAISE OUR FUNDS FOR SERVICE PROJECTS?

By far our largest fundraising event is our Swimarathon. This has been held for the past nine years in March each year. Schools, youth organisations/ clubs, adult clubs and individuals are invited to enter teams of six members to swim lengths of the main pool at The Pavilions in the Park for a 55-minute session. Each team member obtains sponsorship based on the number of lengths swum by the team. At least 50 per cent of the monies raised goes to Horsham Lions or its nominated charity. The remainder of the sponsorship monies is used or donated by the teams themselves.

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Although the money for the 2020 event is still being collected, due to the Pandemic, the previous eight years raised over £56,000.

The second largest fundraising event is The Christmas Collection. With the support of Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, and Tesco Stores we have at least six days during December each year to raise money.

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Horsham Lions in action SUS-201208-141922001

In addition Father Christmas, with his Horsham Lions Helpers visits Cedar Drive in Southwater and The Lemmington Drive Area of North Horsham on two Sundays in December seeking donations.

Newbridge Nurseries in Broadbridge Heath also allow us two days in December each year and additional days in the year to collect on their premises.

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At Christmas and Easter Horsham Lions organise Hamper Raffles. Some 20 or so local Pubs and Businesses help support these projects by selling squares on a board and at the end make a draw to find a winner.

There are collection tins at local Co-op Stores and pubs.

There were plans in place to carry out a series of fundraising events during 2020 but they have had to be postponed due to the Pandemic.

In the last four years we have raised:

To June 2017 £16,933.14

To June 2018 £9594.92

To June 2019 £7811.67

To June 2020 £8199.07’

To find out more about Horsham Lions, email [email protected] or visit www.horshamlions.freeuk.com

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