Mask making

Lion President wearing one of her masks

Along with everyone else, Newbury Lions Club have found it difficult to raise money during the Covid-19 lockdown. The local District Council had swiftly set up a support hub that has operated efficiently during the crisis, with Lions registering individually as volunteers. Lion Maureen Benedict set up a community Facebook page to co-ordinate volunteers in her small village, which has many older people. She also began to cook a curry once a week for neighbours. This has now grown into a weekly Curry Club serving over 35 people each week.

Incoming President Judith Colby was sewing scrubs for the NHS and then started making face masks for family and friends. She decided to ask neighbours in the West Fields Community if they would like masks in return for a donation to Lions welfare funds.

“I thought that I might make maybe a couple of hundred pounds for our funds, but the masks have become so popular that I have now made over 250 and donations are fast approaching £1000! I am so grateful for the generosity of my local community who have donated so that we can continue to support those in need”