IN January last year, the third quiz of the season took place at Frome Rugby Club and was followed by further ones in February, March, and April.
In February, a free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing event was held in conjunction with the Somerset Prostate Support Association at the Frome Methodist Church. 251 men attended the event 12 of whom, received a red result and were advised to seek further advice from their doctor.
March was a busy month for the Lions with two major events taking place; firstly the annual sponsored swim held at the Frome Leisure Centre which saw 24 teams taking part and raised £4,000 for Frome based charity, Active and in Touch, who help and befriend people who have become isolated or out of touch with the community around them.
Next up was the club’s sporting dinner which was held at Orchardleigh Park. 180 guests sat down for a superb meal and afterwards heard an entertaining talk from guest speaker, Steve Harmison MBE, the former Durham, Yorkshire and England cricketer who represented England in 63 Tests and 58 One Day Internationals. The evening raised £10,000 for Julian House which supports vulnerable and at-risk adults and young people experiencing homelessness.
May saw the annual golf day at the Mendip Golf Club in Gurney Slade. £4,000 was raised for Somerset Sight, who work with visually impaired people across Somerset.
In June, the well-established summer fete took place in Victoria Park. The event is a way for the Lions to thank the public who have supported them as well as offering charities and a variety of organisations the chance to promote their causes and is an excellent vehicle for them to raise much-needed funds.
Frome Lions had a new president in July. Outgoing president Beverley Windley handed over the reins to new president Richard Phillips.
Late September saw Lions starting their visits to local farms to collect donated bales of hay or cash to raise funds for their Operation Hay Bale. The donated bales are sold on to other farmers who have not produced any with the proceeds going to this year’s charity the Frome Market Health Hub which supports the local farming community with any health issues they might have.
The Lions erected their much-cherished Tree of Remembrance at Rook Lane Chapel in early December. The tree enables people to remember departed loved ones and causes at this special time of year and at the same time support our charity work. This year we are using the proceeds raised to fund another PSA testing event early in the new year.
As the year ended, the Lions could be found along with Frome Rotary escorting Father Christmas around Frome and the surrounding villages to the delight of both old and young alike.
