BY Peter Drysdale
Our autumn quiz was very successful in September, raising £900. Everyone had a good time and, as often happens, the scores were very close, with team ‘Mulling it Over’ coming out on top. Thanks to quizmaster Lion Tony and his wife Brenda for making it such a fun evening. It seems quizzes are a very popular form of fundraising, so Lion Tony is gearing himself up for another in March 2025.
COGs have supported the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance on a regular basis, and recently fourteen Lions and their partners visited the KSSAA hangar at Redhill Aerodrome, watching presentations and demonstrations given by the medical teams. Also present was past international director Lion Howard Lee, who celebrated Lions from the South East raising half a million pounds over the last ten years in support of the air ambulance.
In that time, Lions have provided night flying goggles (which enables KSSS to be the only air ambulance flying 24/7), rapid response vehicles, video laryngoscopes, portable patient monitoring systems and, most recently, new kit bags costing £3k each. Unfortunately, both helicopters went out on missions before our group got the opportunity to look round them!
We are holding an American-themed dinner evening, with cabaret by Double Duos on 16 November, brightening up what might be a dreary winter evening: at the time of writing, tickets were going fast! Contact Lion Tony Skilbeck on 01883 335945 for availability.
Being a Lion is not all about fundraising…fellowship and adventure are also requisites! So on the social front this season members will be visiting the Miller Theatre for Seasons Greetings by Alan Ayckbourn in early December (when else can this hilarious play be presented?!) and getting everybody together for a Christmas meal later in December.
If you would like to know more about your local Lions Club, the person to speak to is Lion Tony, on 01883 741809 – he would be delighted to chat to you. The Lions also have a minibus available for community use – Lion David is the person to speak to about this on 01342 893353.
