Christmas fundraising was a roaring success for the Lions, who would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported their efforts in the weeks leading up to Christmas. This year they escorted Santa and his float on 16 different routes around the streets of Trowbridge, giving pleasure to young and old alike. In addition, several of Santa’s special helpers completed a marathon dash of 15 pubs and clubs on the Saturday night before Christmas, raising even more funds.

None of this would have been possible without the support of The British Legion, Bath University, Beez Neez, Trowbridge Wessex Mead Rotary Club and many other individual family members or friends of Lions, who are stalwart supporters.

The generosity of the people of Trowbridge has again amazed the Lions as, despite the extra pressures on everyone’s finances, this year’s collections raised nearly as much as last year.

Every penny raised enables us to continue to support projects such as Dorothy House Home Carers Support Team, provide young families with trips out, an annual trip to the panto for 120 local children, the older people with evenings of food and entertainment and an annual trip out on a canal barge. Special thanks also to Tesco’s and Sainsbury’s, who allowed us to hold collections at various times in the days leading up to Christmas in their stores.

The Lions have elected Graeme Dunn as the club president for 2013-14. He has been an active member of the Trowbridge Lions Club for six years. He said: “I am looking forward to leading various projects and continuing the Trowbridge Lions Club’s commitment to serving the Trowbridge community.

“We will be starting a drive to recruit new members to the club to enable us to develop our fundraising activities and community support programmes.”

If you would like to find out more about what the Lions do in Trowbridge or are considering helping or joining us, then have a look at our website www.trow bridgelions.org or Facebook page. Alternatively, come along and join in the fun at one of our meetings which are held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at Trowbridge Cricket Club, starting at 8pm.