Page 41 - Demo

April 2025 | Phonebox Magazine 41Working on Some Fabulous Fund Raisers!This month, we%u2019ve been working hard on planning some of our upcoming fundraising events; we attended The Olney Group %u2018Thank You%u2019 evening and went to our Diamond District Convention with over 200 other Lions!FUND RAISING Curry Night and Fun QuizWe are holding a Curry Night and Fun Quiz on 15th May in association with our new sponsor, Naga Tandoori Restaurant. We will have some delicious food; be listening to some excellent live music by local musician Neil Armstrong, and holding a super raffl e! It should be a great night! To reserve your tickets, contact us at npandolions@gmail.comLions Motorama 2025Lion Bob is working hard organising this popular annual event %u2013 which is supported by Olney Classic Car Club. We have updated our Risk Assessment and arising from that we have approached SCAC to see how they might help us on the day with a First-Aid presence, and also about accessing and using our defi brillator on the Market Place. (SCAC is a charity that provides equipment, uniforms and training for their volunteer community fi rst responders working in our area). All documentation for the road closure has been sent to MK County Council. Neill Elliot has agreed to provide the sound system and act as MC. David Purvis has kindly volunteered his help on the day and act as an interface with Olney Classic Car Club volunteers, who have this event in their diary. We are grateful to all our helpers and volunteers. If you can help on the day, even for an hour or so %u2013 selling programmes, checking cars in, looking after people%u2019s safety, etc. %u2013 then please get in touch.Collecting TinsWe collected a handsome amount in our collection tins this month %u2013 which are located around the town. This month we placed a new one in Naga Tandoori.DONATIONS MK Hospital Cancer Unit %u2013 Lions Family RoomFor four years we have been involved with supporting the Cancer Unit at MK University Hospital, particularly by providing furniture and other equipment for a Quiet Room and also ongoing funds for food and drink replenishment for users of the room (staff and patients). Four clubs in our region came together in 2021 to collaborate on the project and have so far funded over %u00a35,000 worth of supplies %u2013 supporting a special, quiet room in the Cancer Unit that can be used by staff and patients, particularly in diffi cult times. This month, to mark the end of this phase of the project, a special plaque was erected in the Family Room and a short ceremony was held by hospital staff and a small number (for obvious reasons) of Lions dignitaries representing our Zone. Well done to Newport Pagnell & Olney LC, Bletchley Milton Keynes LC, Milton Keynes Central LC, and Milton Keynes Stony Stratford LC.Other DonationsWe donated almost %u00a33,000 in January and another %u00a31,000 in February to a variety of charitable causes %u2013 to International, National and mainly local charitable organisations. We had a nice card from Harry%u2019s Pals thanking us for our donation, last month.Newport Pagnell & Olney LionsSERVICE ACTIVITIESDistrict Senior Citizens PartyOur District held the 22nd Senior Citizens Celebration Party %u2013 (which we helped sponsor), at the Harrow Leisure Centre. What an incredible day it was. There was bingo, music, dance, balloon modelling and good food for hundreds of our Senior Citizens. A resounding success, fi lled with joy, laughter, and unforgettable moments. %u2018We Serve!%u2019.MIAB Purchase and DistributionThis month we delivered a small batch of our MIAB to a local pharmacy (Peak Pharmacy). %u2018Message in a Bottle%u2019 (known within Lions as MIAB) helps emergency services personnel save valuable time in identifying an individual very quickly and knowing if they have any allergies or take special medication. Paramedics, police, fi re-fi ghters and social services support this Lion%u2019s life-saving initiative and know to look in the fridge when they see the Message in a Bottle stickers supplied. The initiative provides peace of mind that prompt and appropriate medical assistance can be provided, and next of kin/emergency contacts can be notifi ed.MEETINGS and SOCIALSTOG Thank You EventWe had a fun and enjoyable evening, along with around 20 other volunteers, as guests of The Olney Group in recognition of our help with Fireworks Night and RiverFest. Thank You guys! It%u2019s a real pleasure to be involved with such prestigious events for the town!Diamond District ConventionWe attended our Diamond District Convention held at the Mercure Hotel in Bedford. We had some distinguished guests, including the LordLieutenant of Bedfordshire and the Mayor of Bedford. We celebrated the achievement of our District over the past 60 years; listened to some highly motivational speakers, voted on some resolutions, rewarded outstanding individuals, welcomed new members, and selected our future leaders %u2013 all in the company of over 200 enthusiastic Lions.Other planned activities:%u2022 Business Meeting: 7th April at the Two Brewers%u2022 Afternoon Tea at the Beckworth Emporium in Mears Ashby 15th April%u2022 Lions Quiz with Milton Keynes Central Lions: 26th April%u2022 Canal Boat Cruise (in the Summer) %u2022 BBQ %u2013 perhaps in The Two Brewers or Swan Olney as a way of thanking our numerous volunteers (in the Summer)%u2022 Look into Club Twinning with another European Lions ClubThat%u2019s all folks!