Press Releases

Garforth & District Lions Vice President ,David Hill took a deep breath and tried to look nonchalant as he went off the roof of Leeds College of Technology in a 150ft sponsored abseil.
David and Lions member Marcus Wilkinson were two of 167 people who collectively abseiled a total distance of 25,050ft raising over £25,000 for a variety of charities
The £150 which each raised went to St Gemma's Hospice.
David said, "I'm told the view was fantastic and I would recommend it to anyone now I'm back on the ground."
When Lion Marcus recovers we will also ask him for a comment!!!

When Garforth & District Lions Environment Officer, John Murphy, heard that Garforth Angling Club were refurbishing Highfields lake at Barwick in Elmet, he thought it would be an ideal project in which to involve the club.
The fishing club committee were most enthusiastic and supportive when John suggested that the Lions would provide labour and finances to create five platforms with wheel chair access from which the disabled could enjoy fishing in the newly stocked lake.
The project involved making a road way down to the lake where a disabled car park was constructed. From here a level path led to the five new pitches.
Not only did the Lions donate £1000 to the project but also gave their time over several weekends to barrow and level the 170 tons of hard core and top soil needed for the project.
The whole scheme, completed by the Angling club members, involved enlarging the lake ,constructing a walkway around the edge and planting 330 trees.
When it was completed one of the first disabled people to use the facility said it was probably the best disabled fishing access in Yorkshire.
Photo Lions members front L to R John Murphy, Phil Dunwell, back LtR Ken Woodhead and, Dave Hill

Garforth and District Lions have elected Dave Hill to serve as their President until June 2002.
Dave, a member of the Lions club since 1988, was born in Whitkirk but has lived in Garforth for all his adult life.
After attending Selby Technical College he served an apprenticeship as a sheet metal worker and subsequently held management positions with a number of engineering companies.
Currently he is sales manager for a company selling capital industrial equipment.
He is married to Liz and they have two grown up children.
He has held several postions in the club including his first term as President from 1992 to 1993.
President Dave says, "In my year as President I feel we should try to build on the success we have had in helping young people, the elderly and disabled in our community but in particular I would like to see the club involved in an environment project which could have a lasting benefit for our area."

Robin Tomlinson of Allerton Bywater has been elected to serve as President of Garforth & District Lions Club until June of 2001
He first became involved with the Lions 14 years ago after being asked to be guest speaker at the club?s annual dinner dance. At that time Robin was serving as the first Station Officer of the new Gaforth Fire Station. Robin completed 27years as a member of Leeds City Fire Brigade and was also Station officer at Gipton.
The Lions organisation was not unknown to Robin as his father had been a founding member of Eastleigh Lions Club in Hampshire.
Born in Moortown, Leeds, Robin left school at 15 and after a short spell as a warehouseman, he joined the Military Police for three and a half years before joining the fire brigade.
He has a son and daughter and four grand children who live locally.
Robin has held several key posts in the club including Secretary, Welfare Chairman, PRO, Environment and co-ordinator of the German Handicapped Youth Visit.
He is an active member of the Braille Guild, Secretary of Barkston Ash Bee Keepers Association and Vice chairman of Yorkshire Kidney Research Fund.
President Robin says, ?This year I would like to see an emphasis on youth and young peoples needs and the environment. I am particularly concerned about handicapped and disadvantaged young people.?

In the run up to Christmas Judith Maycock , General Manager of the Old George Pub in Garforth, organised a collection of Toys for Sick Children.
Customers at the pub and restaurant were extremely generous with their donations and a fine assortment of toys was gathered.
This is when Judith enlisted the help of Garforth & District Lions to find a suitable home for the collection.
Staff at Peadiatric ENT Ward B91 of Leeds General Infirmary were delighted to accept the gifts which will bring pleasure to young patients at the hospital in the coming months.

Photo Shows L to R
Lions President Robin Tomlinson, Sister Margaret Kerins LGI, and John Garforth, Deputy Manager of The Old George.

Garforth & District Lions invited Schools and Youth Organisations in their area to enter the first round of the Lions International Peace Poster Competition.

From the 40 entries received 12 year old Phillpa Batty (1st Place) and 13 year old
Hannah Johnson both came from Garforth Guide Group .
12 year old Kimberley Clegg in third place came from Brigshaw School in Kippax.

These posters are among 325,000 entries submitted worldwide in the 12th Annual Peace Poster Competition which is sponsored by the Lions International Organisation to encourage young people throughout the world to think about the issues involved in world peace.

Lions President John Murphy said,
? I am very impressed by the amout of effort and thought exhibited by the guides and students at Brigshaw. Its obvious that these young people have strong ideas of what peace means to them and we are delighted that we are able to give them an opportunity to share these ideas with others?

The entry now advances to the District Round where the poster will compete with entries from all over Yorkshire to be judged in Bradford in January.

Ultimateley the International winner will be selected from 24 International Finalists and will be treated to an expenses paid visit to the Lions International Convention in
Honolulu.

Photo Shows President John Murphy presenting prizes of drawing materials to Phillpa Batty,and Hannah Johnson, watched by Guide Captain Gillian Ainsley and organiser
Lions Member Peter Kerins

Garforth & District Lions members spent Six days at Local Supermarkets, Safeway &
GT Smiths, handing out leaflets to encourage shoppers to put an extra item in their shopping trolley as a donation to help make up Christmas hampers.
During the period close to 4500 items were handed to the Lions which went to make up nearly 200 food parcels.
These were then distributed to local senior citizens and deserving families whose names had been provided by Social Services and local community group, Neighbourhood Elders Team
Photo Shows Lion President Robin Tomlinson receiving cans from Stacey and Katy Goodall in Safeway Supermarket, Garforth.

Safeway Supermarket Manager, Ian Sassoon., plunged in with both feet when he volunteered to help raise money for Garforth & District Lions Charity Fund.
Brave Ian, from the Garforth Store, sat for two hours in a bath of cold Spaghetti whilst customers and staff alike paid £1 for a can of his favourite Italian dish to pour over his head in an attempt to fill the bath.
The event was the culmination of a special Italian promotion at the store during which staff had collected over £600 which the Lions will use to support various causes within the community.
New President Dave Hill said, "We are very grateful to Ian and the staff for this tremendous effort. It "pasta" all our expectations."
Photo Shows Left to Right
President Dave Hill, Sheila Ella (Safeway Fund Raiser) Ken Koodhead (Lions Member), Martin Calam, Grocery Dept Assistant Manager.

Garforth & District Lions President ,Dave Hill and Club Environment officer, John Murphy, paid visit to Skelton Grange Environment Centre to hand over a cheque for £300.
Whilst there they learned from Project Officer ,Helen Pearson, that the aim of the project is to demonstrate good environmental practice and raise awareness and understanding of environmental issues to children of all ages and abilities.
The centre provides three days a week of activities for schools in Leeds and Wakefield and hosts around 4000 visitors each year. Children work in small groups and undertake activities on themes ranging from trees, hedgerows and ponds to sound water and pattern.
President Dave said, "This is an excellent project which we are keen to support as it fits in with our commitment to the environment and helping the young people of our community."
Photo shows on left
Helen Pearson, President Dave Hill, John Murphy (Children, Laura Weldon, Lauren Shaw, Robert Winterbourne, with three volunteer helpers.

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