Wisbech Lions Club members are proud to have volunteered to serve the community of Wisbech since 1972. We plan to continue serving for many years to come. We have 26 members with our newest member Lion Alex, joined us in November 2020.
At certain events we are also joined by many 'Friends of Lions', those people who occasionally offer their time at events, for which we are most appreciative. We are planning to formalise this group and support it with a quarterly newsletter.
At this time, as we head back into a national lockdown and in common with many of you, we have a number of members 'shielding' because of health issues, whilst others are in the 'at risk' age group. This continues to be a difficult time for our members who are used to being amongst the community offering hands on service, fundraising to help local causes or just being there to raise a smile at difficult times. Some even do dancing but that is another story!
In recent times we have helped a young person with health / learning issues to access life changing equipment.
In 2020, Lion Jack Connor aka Santa, could not do his sleigh runs through Wisbech but he did visit and stop at supermarkets, where he was socially distanced and with Lion members brought a little happiness in hard times. The donations we received enable us to help local people and causes. For the first time, we partnered with The Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre and set up Zoom with Santa. Donations were requested and divided between both charities. In very few days Santa saw more than 60 families online and brought a smile to all.
Lion Jack as Santa also did short video messages tailored to schools, care homes, and other groups. Some were posted on our Facebook page and can still be viewed. He was also requested to do video for The Luxe Cinema, Wisbech. They showed it ahead of family films and helped us by selling our Christmas cards in their foyer.
Our Christmas cards from Santa were popular and delivered by a local follower, Jade, who dressed herself and children as elves and delivered that cards before Christmas.
Lion Janet Tanfield set up a Grotto at home and with a little help from an Elf and one of our followers, Wisbech Tweet, set about visiting local business to spread Christmas cheer. Her visits are on Facebook.
The Chair of our Activities Committee, Lion Chris Gay has, for many years, brought us Rose Fair, Easter Egg raffles, Wis-Beach Day games, Halloween stalls, and of course, Christmas fundraising.
For the first time we set up a fundraiser through our Facebook page and this has proved valuable. We also purchased a card reader so we can take donations in that way too.
Since 'lockdown' in March 2020, members have met on Zoom, a new skill acquired by most members. We have held meetings and 'socials' by Zoom and in that way we have continue​d to enjoy 'Friendship, Service and Fun'. Last year we were also joined by a local Mum (Mel) reading a story to children online for us. We hope this will continue this year. The stories are part of the Wild Tribe Heroes collection by Ellie Jackson - www.wildtribeheroes.com The stories are a collection that provide education about environmental issues in a fun way.
On 1st July 2020, Wisbech Lions Club and Rye Lions Club, Victoria, Australia, were twinned in what may have been a historic first International Zoom twinning meeting of the new Lionistic year. Our District Governor elect Lion Ujjal Kular performed the ceremony that was attended by more than 50 Lions from here and Australia. For the Club Presidents, Lion Alan Edmunds and Lion Gael Harvey(centre photo) this was the culmination of a years planning. Both Clubs now liaise closely and are undertaking joint service projects making the world an even smaller place.
During the original 'lockdown' we funded other people and organisations who were providing food for those in need in the local community. Sadly we have not been able to provide 'hands on' assistance but we can still be contacted. We have provided advice on where to access services, how to use digital library services and have been running art competitions for children.
Lion Janet Tanfield is currently conducting a Community Needs Assessment by contacting key people who have a greater idea of the problems Wisbech will face in the future. Our motto is 'We Serve' and the assessment will help us to do just that.
Finally, a number of people or groups who continued to help during the pandemic were chosen to receive a Lions Clubs International, Certificate of Appreciation. These were all presented by Club President, Lion Alan Edmunds during the months of November and December 2020. The recipients were:
Bygones - for service to vulnerable people
50 Backpacks Vision- Spike Cee - for tireless work for those less fortunate 'on the street' and older and vulnerable people in the community.
Wisbech In Bloom - For continuing to brighten Wisbech with flower arrangements
Wisbech Street Pride - recognising those members still undertaking 'clean up' of litter during the pandemic.
Wisbech Tweet - for continued promotion on facebook of local businesses and through the Wisbech Tweet Business Group.
Geoffrey Norris BEM - for volunteer service every Sunday offgering older or vulnerable people a shopping and delivery service.
If you would like to know more about joining Wisbech Lions Club please contact our Membership Chair, Lion Marilyn Batrick. If you think we might be able to help you, please contact our Welfare Committee Chair, Lion Susan Bell. Please visit or Facebook page and follow us. Our e mail contact is wisbechlionsclub@outlook.com
Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world.
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