Lions promote Environmental Awareness at Library

Each  year  during  the  summer holidays, staff  at  Newcastle  Library arrange regular events to help young children in a fun way ,learn more about their community and other interesting topics. On  Thursday 13th  August at 3.30 pm, in Newcastle Library, young people can learn  more  about  their  environment and  how  we can protect it , with  a presentation  by  Newcastle  Lions  Club featuring  readings from the booklet The Lions, the bees and the bogs.

The  booklet came about  as  a result of work by Tullamore Lions Club who restored a bog, which  helped save bees, who in turn the bees helped pollinate  plants that fed us and made us feel good when we saw the beautiful flowers the bees had helped grow. Children are encouraged to call to the  library and make staff aware of their interest in the free event.

Newcastle  Lions  members, President  Beth  Cairnduff, Dan  O'Reilly and PDG Marian  McGreevy promoting  library  event.

President Beth and PDG Marian end Lion year on a high

In  looking  forwards to  enjoying  the great  summer  weather, Newcastle  Lion President  Beth Cairnduff and PDG Marian  Mc Greevy can enjoy a well earned pat on the back for a fantastic Lions Year. For  PDG Marian, all the  hard  work she  put in during her  year as District Governor has  been rewarded with  the  acceptance of a new Lions  Club in  Derry /Londonderry. The new club which required twenty members was  sponsored by Newcastle Lions, by  letting the twenty new members become Lions and then they forming their own club. Forty  years  ago, Newcastle  Lions went through  the same process when they  became  Lions with the help of Downpatrick Lions and they then formed their own club. With all hurdles  achieved, Newcastle  Lions for all their work were sent  an extension excellence badge for their Lions  banner by  Lions  International  USA. Lion President Beth will stay on for another year in  charge of Newcastle  Lions  Club, and  added to her workload ,she  will also  take on the role of  Zone Chair Person for clubs in  zone  A. This  role involves  chairing regular meetings and  encouraging clubs in their  work in the community.  While  there are no meetings during  the  summer,  Newcastle  Lions  are already  preparing  for  their first  event in  September, on  the 12th of the month a daisy  dander in  aid of Daisy  Lodge Cancer  Home for Children. 

Past  District  Governor  Marian Mc  Greevy  and  Newcastle Lion  President  Beth Cairnduff celebrate a new Lion Club in Derry  /Londonderry

Lions thrilled with success of fund raising efforts for N.I. Hospice

Newcastle  Lions  President  Beth Cairnduff was pleased  to confirm that a cheque for £2,000.00 had  been forwarded to the  Northern  Ireland  Children's  and  adults Hospice. This was as a result of the  sale of art in Newcastle Library, ,donations received and a street collection. The  fund  raising  kicked off, on the 12th. of May, on a Tuesday evening in Newcastle Library, when Newcastle Lions  launched  their sale of art in aid of the N.I. Hospice. Helping to promote the launch was NIH volunteer, Sandra  Hollingsworth who spoke about the work of the Hospice. She said the work of the  Hospice was not just  medical but  provided  short breaks and respite, so families can rest. Parents describe  the Hospice as  a safe place, somewhere their children are treated as kids not patients. The  Northern Ireland Children's and Adult Hospice needs £20 million each year to run and  one  bed costs  £600,000 per year. Sandra's talk  was very personal and emotional  as  she spoke about her young daughter Molly who was supported by the Hospice before she sadly died.

President Beth also wished to thank Gregory  Holmes of Pound World, for  donating  helium to all the Hospice balloons, which  helped  make  the  street collection a  great  success. In  July  the  club hope  to sell the  remaining  art, with a  second  donation  to be  made to  the  Hospice  as  result  of  this  sale.

Newcastle  Lions Club members Graham Dickson, Alison Whittall, John McDonagh, Dan O'Reilly and  Lions Club  President  Beth  Cairnduff with  N.I. Hospice volunteer  Sandra Hollingsworth, presenting  a cheque  to  the  Hospice  for  £2,000.00.