Hethersett a norfolk village on the web

We have all been touched by the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti and Lions have been there from the beginning as a team from Canada was onsite putting in a fresh water system when the event occurred. They immediately downed tools and started to help with the rescue.

We here in Hethersett District Lions have carried out fundraising and have sent £500 to the Lions International relief fund. Money was raised at our football car park on the 23/1/2010, making a total of £212. We matched the amount from our own charity fund to make up the £500.

Below is the latest information we have on the activities now being undertaken by Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF) provided by Al Brandel – Chairperson Lions Club International foundation.

At Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), we have learned more about the situation on the ground from the Lions of Haiti. My heart goes out to all the Lions in Haiti, who have been personally affected by this disaster, losing at least two club members as well as many close relatives. Yet they have put aside their own needs to help their community. LCIF is working non-stop with Lions of that area to support "Lions Hope for Haiti."

Lions Hope for Haiti has mobilized more than US$350,000, to date. Lions around the world are responding generously and quickly to the LCIF designated fund for this disaster. Donations are continuing to pour in from individuals, clubs and districts, and I thank all of you who have already pledged your support.

LCIF is working directly with Lions of Haiti as well as Lions in neighbouring countries to assess the immediate needs and also develop a long-term reconstruction plan. Maureen and I will be travelling to the Dominican Republic in the next few days to lead a team delivering urgently needed supplies into Haiti.

Lions around the world are also assisting:

	Lions in neighbouring Caribbean countries are sending cargo containers of requested supplies through connections with transportation companies.
	Lions in Sweden are sending large tents through the Swedish government to provide housing for those who are now homeless as well as relief workers, as they did for the China earthquake.
	Lions from District A-9, Ontario, Canada were in the area when the earthquake hit, helping to establish a clean water system for an orphanage, and responded by establishing a make-shift medical clinic, treating 600 people.
	Lions are contributing generously, some examples include: US$86,000 pledged from Lions in Norway; US$20,000 from Lions in China; US$14,000 from District 105-I, England.

Like other previous disasters, LCIF is not only committed to meeting the immediate needs of the people, but will be working through the Lions in the region to provide relief for years to come. After other relief organizations have moved out of the area, Lions will still be on the ground, overseeing long-term reconstruction projects. Similar to previous disasters, Lions will be discussing the possibility of rebuilding homes and hospitals, redeveloping the eye care delivery system, providing human resource support, and assisting the disabled, including those disabled as a result of this disaster.

If you have any questions please contact and we will try to assist:

· Lion Alistair Mackie -01603 812523

· Lion John Hewitt - 01508 570392

· Lion Bob McKibbin – 01508 470823

Previous stories about Hethersett District Lions Club

Lions' Plea

If you’ve ever fancied becoming a roaring success, then Hethersett and District Lions Club could be the place for you.

The Lions International charity has over 45,000 clubs and 1.3 million members across the globe, making it the world’s largest service club organisation. Now the local branch is looking to increase its profile and attract new members.

Lions work both on the international stage with large projects such as curing blindness in third world countries and disaster relief. Closer to home the organisation helps individuals and small organisations in local communities.

The Hethersett and District club has over the past few years donated money to many charities including the Big C Cancer Appeal, the East Anglian Air Ambulance, Clic Sergeant and the neurocritical care unit at Addenbrooke’s Hospital through the sponsorship of a local man who cycled from the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital to Addenbrooke’s and back in one day after his father had been cared for at the Cambridgeshire hospital after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

The club also makes donations to individual people to assist with particular needs:

“In one case we helped by assisting with the cost of installing adaptations in the house of a local disabled boy and in another we helped with the cost of buying a specially adapted wheel chair for another disabled boy. Lions meet the needs of local communities and the world. Our more than 1.3 million members in 205 countries and geographic areas are different in many ways, but we share a core belief – community is what we make it,” said Hethersett Lions’ president Alistair Mackie.

Hethersett District Lions club covers a wide geographic area from Hethersett and Little Melton in the west to Mulbarton and Newton Flotman in the east and all villages in between but does not cover any large urban areas.

“This makes fund raising a bit of a problem at times because much of what we do relies on asking the general public for money,” Alistair added.

One of the club’s most popular and financially successful sources of income is a candy floss machine which is kept very busy in the summer months at school and community fetes within the area and further afield. In addition members help with car parking at a Norwich city centre office when Norwich City are playing at home.

“Thanks to the generosity of the company concerned we are able to charge for car parking and keep the proceeds – over £2000 so far this season,” Alistair added. He is quick to point out that being a Lion isn’t just about work and raising funds.

“We also enjoy ourselves, not only when helping others but also when we meet socially which we do as often as we can in a variety of ways. Recently several members enjoyed a ‘Last Night at the Proms’ event at Thursford and nearer to Christmas we will be getting together for Christmas lunch at a local restaurant.”

Now the club would like to attract some new blood.

“Anyone interested in meeting the Lions at work in a more informal setting is more than welcome to come along to our forthcoming quiz night in Mulbarton Village Hall on Friday 11^th December. Proceeds from the event will be going to the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity,” Alistair added.

The Hethersett club meets on the second Monday of each month at Mulbarton Village Hall and on the last Wednesday at the Grove Cheshire Home at East Carleton.

Anyone wishing to enter a team for the quiz or find out more about Hethersett and District Lions Club should contact secretary John Hewitt 01508 570392 or e-mail him at john.hewitt@broadsurf.co.uk. Lions Club International also has a web site which links to the Hethersett Club.