Frome Lions raise £8000 at the Gentleman’s Sporting Dinner for Wessex Counselling

l-r, Lion Roger Windley, Lion David Naish, Lion president Frank Collins, Dr Chris Ellis, Chris Vincent (Orchardleigh House) Philip Boon treasurer of WCS, Penny Old (office manager WCS) and Lion Clive Weeks.

THE Lions Club of Frome held its’ 9th Annual Gentlemen’s Sporting Dinner at Orchardleigh House on 9th January and raised £8,000 for a local Frome charity.

This year’s event has proved hugely popular, with just over 130 local businessmen and their guests attending, with all tickets sold out in advance.

The Lions charity this year is Wessex Counselling Service and their new project, Changing Course. This is aimed at providing free counselling to young people in and around Frome between the ages of five and 18. This project will help some of the most troubled young people to access free professional counselling locally, and to stop their problem getting worse for themselves and their families and others around them.

Master of Ceremonies for the occasion was Dennis Barnard, who introduced the guest speaker for the night, Welsh international rugby referee Nigel Owens, who has officiated at 50 international rugby matches including the Rugby World Cups in France 2007 and in New Zealand 2011. One of his famous quotes was, “If you don’t like Scrummaging, you’re in the wrong position!”

The evening included an auction of promises that was led by local auctioneer, David Millard. One lot of note was an original framed colour Russell Brockbank cartoon that made over £600.

Concluding the evening, Lions Club of Frome president Frank Collins thanked especially Christopher Vincent, owner of Orchardleigh House, for providing such an excellent venue, and his catering staff for providing a first class meal.  Thanks were also extended to all those who attended and supported the fund raising evening, and for the generous prizes given for the raffle and auction which gave a grand total with donations of £8000.

Please visit the website for more information about Frome Lions Club at www.fromelions.org.uk