FEBRUARY’S meeting began with a visit of two students from NEW College giving a presentation about a forthcoming trip to Ghana, Africa.

The trip is a continuation of a scheme where students get hands on experience in the villages they visit, and help local people build fresh water filtration systems while living among them for a few weeks.

Although the trip requires financial support, asking for funding was not the sole aim of their visit to us, but to gain advice and recommendations.

Members were able to put them in touch with the Ghanaian Lions Clubs, who would offer support while visiting their country. Other contacts were offered plus a donation of one of the Redditch Lions Club’s Easter eggs. The students can raffle the egg and put the proceeds towards the trip cost.

Again, dealing with local issues and people, the flooding that has been experienced of late, especially those near to us in Redditch, resulted with members making a donation to the local District Lions Clubs’ emergency fund. Lions can act directly whenever there is a catastrophe, cutting out a lot of bureaucracy.

Among some other donations, the Club also arranged to provide 10 boxes for the charity, Me & Dee, (meanddee.

co.uk) and to have them made available at the Alexandra Hospital. The main aim of the charity is to make available special moment treats and experiences, for lasting memories where time is short and precious, for those with life threatening and shortening conditions.

Lions do have romantic moments and this year some 20 odd members with their partners went out for a romantic meal at the Roebuck in Alcester for Valentine’s Day, complete with a red rose for each lady.

Events and displays for the annual Lions Fun Day with the council’s Green Fair, is gradually being put together.

One display will be an exhibition of classic cars.

Anyone who has such a classic car and wishes to show it off, can call Mike Andrews on 01527 404110 or on the club’s local rate phone number 0845 833 5914.

For more details, visit redditchlions.

org.uk