Lions Light Up Aldridge

Christmas is a time for giving and this is no exception for the Aldridge & District Lions Club. 

Every year the Club donates time and money to many programmes both locally and internationally.  Mike Jobbins, Welfare Chairman for the Aldridge Lions said, “We have a very active programme of giving to the world community.  We have just given £750 to Lions Clubs International which will be added to other donations from Lions clubs around the world to fund such programmes as Campaign Sight First a programme to cure sight problems,children, education kits for the developing world and clean water projects.  What we are concentrating on now is our programme for local projects.  Our major annual project for this year is for the local branch of the Parkinsons Disease Society plus we are actively working with other groups within the local community to identify those in need of help.”

In order to fund this programme of support, the Lions need to raise money and their Christmas collections are some of the main inputs to this fund.  The Lions will be collecting during the weekends running up to Christmas and will have their Santa sleigh and Father Christmas at Morrisons in Aldridge on 29^th / 30^th November, Asda at Queslett on 13^th / 14^th December and Tesco in Brownhills on 20^th / 21^st December.

The Aldridge & District Lions Club President, Clyde Redfern, said, “We really appreciate the support we have from the public throughout the year and none more so than during our Christmas collections.  It may be cold and sometimes wet for the collectors but we still have fun and it is great to see the many children who come to see Santa in his sleigh.  All the operating costs for our Club come from member fees and monies raised at social events.  Every penny that goes into our buckets during our collections goes to a worthwhile charitable cause.”

You can also meet the Lions Santa at the “Christmas in Aldridge” event on Friday 5^th December.  This spectacular, hosted by Walsall Council and Aldridge Village Business Partnership, will see a host of activities including the formal switching on of the new Aldridge Christmas lights.  The fun starts at 15.30pm and runs through to 19.00pm

Clyde Redfern said, “We have been associated with the Aldridge Village Partnership for a time now as another way in which we can work more closely with the local community.  We are really pleased to be able to be part of this event and to have our Santa available for the children of Aldridge and surrounding areas.”

For more details on the work of the Lions contact Lion Harry Fry on 01922 451638.