THE ROAR The Newsletter of the Lions Club of Windsor WELCOME Dear Supporter providing transport – picking up ‘guests’ It was a privilege too to get to know the In December, at our second ‘Lions’ Den’, and delivering them to a different church ‘guests’ and getting a whole new we were presented with a project that every night – and Lion Ted (Shepherd’s perspective on the blemish on our modern literally ‘ticked all the boxes’ as far as Pie) found a whole new lease of life as a society that homelessness represents. Windsor Lions were concerned. Its regular Friday night cook at These aren’t problem people – these are objective was simple, tried and tested, and Green Baptist Church where his Chicken people with problems. fulfilled a very evident need in the Windsor Curry received the culinary equivalent of a Inevitably at the end of March the project Community: to provide a safe, warm and standing ovation! came to an end. Yes, it was a huge success hospitable overnight shelter during the Most nights six to 10 guests – some with and once again Windsor Lions were able to potentially most inhospitable nights of the dogs – attended the shelter and the feed - make a real difference – both financially winter. back was entirely positive. Everyone got and practically - to several people in real £2000 pounds was pledged to help fund something out of it – not just the guests need, and YES plans are already underway an eight-week project which saw seven but all the volunteers too. to do it again – but bigger and better – next year. churches around central Windsor open It was a very educational and humbling their doors – and kitchens – every night to experience to see the number of volunteers But sadly, the underlying problem remains those who needed shelter. – well over 120 in total – giving up their until we can find a permanent solution to The project resonated so strongly with time to provide not just delicious dinners, this first world problem. me that I decided to get ‘hands on’, night-time supervision and warming volunteering to help with overnight breakfasts but their compassion in trying sessions and cooking for the homeless to help the ‘guests’ with their problems wherever they could. Often this involved Diane guests and helpers on a few occasions. Purchase And I was not alone – my fellow Lion Tiia playing Scrabble, watching DVDs or President, spent every night of the eight weeks just chatting. Lions Club of Windsor

Windsor Lions & Thames Hospice provided magnificent prizes. Guest of Honour was Sue Holderness, (who played the role of ‘Marlene’ in the sitcom raise over £6,000 towards new Only Fools and Horses) and her husband Mark. Sue has been an official Thames Hospice Ambassador for many state-of-the-art 28 bed Hospice years and was joined on the evening with Sarah Bissell their Fundraising Director. Windsor Lions and Thames Hospice This is the first time the two charities teamed up to raise funds for the 28-bed have worked closely together and hospice that is being built near Bray Lake. Windsor Lions President, Diane Purchase They jointly staged a Black-Tie Ball at the commented “The saying ‘two heads are elegant Riverbank Marquee on the banks better than one’ is proving to be the case of the Thames at Windsor Royal Race - here as the combined experience of both course. In addition, the event celebrated our organisations made it a fantastic the 58th Anniversary of Windsor Lions evening with a great result in raising over formation. £6,000 for the new build.” Along with a drink’s reception sponsored Sarah Bissell, Director of Fundraising by Savills Estate Agents in Windsor, a at Thames Hospice, added “It was a great sumptuous 3 course dinner and dancing evening and everybody without exception Diane Purchase (Windsor Lions President), to the Gill Love Band, (who gave their Phil Bullock (Ball Organiser) & Special Guest thoroughly enjoyed themselves”. services for free) , an auction and raffle Sue Holderness (Thames Hospice Ambassador) Continuing our theme of ‘DRIVEN FORWARD’ Homelessness in Windsor A new local charity - the brainchild of Lion Tiia Stephens Windsor Lions Support the Tiia formed ‘Driven Forward’ to fulfil the needs of vulnerable people with door to door, wheelchair accessible, minibus transport to Windsor Homeless Project specific group-activities. The charity accompanies clients for the duration of the activities, to help them participate and interact with Lion Lindsay MacGregor ‘sleeps out’ the group - as many are reluctant/unable to engage alone and need help to develop basic skills required to rehabilitate into society. I arrived late to the ‘Windsor Homeless Project As you will have read in our Presidents front page article, ‘Driven Annual Sponsored Sleep Out’ having just left our Forward’ was involved every day for 10 weeks with the Windsor Lions Charity Charter Ball. Stepping out of my ‘glad Churches night shelter for the homeless. In addition, the charity rags’ into layers of warm clothing in a basketball provides transport for the elderly, taking them to shopping trips court in Windsor at midnight felt almost surreal. to Asda, or to Bracknell and garden centres and coffee mornings. Makeshift boxes and plastic sheeting were strewn The adults supported are extremely vulnerable due to marginalization, social exclusion, isolation, low self-esteem and around housing huddled individuals all of whom, for some, old age. These people include those who are homeless several months earlier, in the warmth of their own and those who have recently left homelessness, those at risk of homes, had decided like me to sign up to sleeping becoming homeless (e.g. sofa surfers, those with a drug or outside in Windsor on the night of April 5th. alcohol addiction, people with mental health issues) and less mobile and adults with disabilities or mobility issues, and adults The idea was to raise much needed funds to support who face barriers to using public transport. the work of the wonderful team who run the Windsor ‘Driven Forward’ works with the Windsor Homeless Project, Homeless Project where homeless people are where for the past 4 years Tiia has got to know the beneficiaries offered hot food, drinks, clean clothes, toiletries, and their needs. It is a known fact moving from being companionship, activities and advice around mental homeless/substance dependent to housed and clean of health appointments, housing and employment. substances, can be the loneliest time because it’s hard to settle, The event also brings an awareness to the plight of easy to slip back into mental health problems or return to a those for whom cold exposed nights have become a problematic social circle. Getting skilled, connected and social is way of life. It was hard to imagine how anyone could the way forward, as evidenced by a report and research carried sustain more than one night outside. It was cold, the out by the Salvation Army. ground was hard, cramp came in waves and sleep When the beneficiaries were asked what they’d find useful, they never came. The futile 6am wakeup call seemed an said they’d like organised trips to local places to help them feel age away. they belong, help them get to know others who are also trying to improve their situations yet who understand how hard it is to move on. They also wanted to access activities which would help them move on to paid work - through giving them something c urrent and relevant to talk about in interviews (examples of teamwork, communication, resilience, productivity, new skills etc). The charity came up with a plan to provide trips to the Jealott’s Hill allotment; garden centres; grocery shopping trips; seaside trips which enables all adults to access activities as a group. ‘Driven Forward’ provides the resources for these trips to be completed, as more trips are currently being planned. Key elements of the success of ‘Driven Forward’ is for that volunteers remain beside clients throughout both the journey and activity as befriending, peer support and role modelling provide Three of us from Windsor Lions, Tiia Stephens , stability and a chance to assess progress. ‘Driven Forward’ is “user led” and ensures that adults make the key decisions about Alec Bradfield and I took part raising between us where they would like to go and what activities and trips they with the support of Lions £1,293. As we cleared would like to participate in. away our homes for the night in reflective silence and gratefully cupped a mug of hot tea, we felt strangely ‘Driven Forward’ will also provide humbled by the whole experience and full of a sense similar trips for groups of vulnerable, isolated elderly people, and their of guilt that we could now head home to hot showers buses will be available for hire by and a comfy bed. other local groups serving a community need. That night, the shelter raised over £12,000 which will all go to sustain the amazing support of the Windsor

Homeless Project. Would I do it again? You bet! Tiia Stephens – The brainchild of ‘Driven Forward’ WINDSOR LIONS FUNFEST FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES A ROARING SUCCESS!

Windsor Lions’ Funfest, the fun event for disabled children and their families, reached new heights last Sunday afternoon at Windsor Leisure Centre and was deemed by all those who attended ‘as a great success – one of the best yet’! Over 300 people attended for what was Windsor Lions’ 6th Funfest, representing many different charities, including several special schools, from all over London and the Home Counties. Many families - with a total of over 150 disabled children arrived on the day and enjoyed a wonderful afternoon of spectacular recreational activities. The afternoon consisted of a session in the main halls of Windsor Leisure Centre where a range of fun events were laid out. These included Indoor Cricket, a Soft Play area, Obstacle Course, Bouncy Castles, Wii System, and a Bungee Run. In addition, we had a children’s entertainer, Mr Tick Tock, who kept a large audience entranced with his magic, music and fun dancing. The second session focused on the Leisure Pool, probably the most popular part of the day.

Windsor Lions hold their Magical Silver Party

Windsor Lions held its annual ‘Silver Lunch’ After lunch, Danny from Red Hat Magic gave a for the elderly on the 10th March when over sparkling performance that had the audience 110 Windsor and District-based residents were captivated and amazed by his magic. As a suitably wined, dined and entertained by a member of the wonderful mix of music and magic. Fondly Magic Circle known by the Club as the ‘Silver Lunch’ , and voted Best guests were transported to and from the Private Events venue, once again held at SportsAble. Magician for 2018 , his tricks and banter made everyone enjoy a magical performance. Danny from Red Hat Magic The Mayor and Mayoress of the Royal Borough of Windsor & , Cllr Paul Lion and Mayoress Laura Lion were in attendance and were soon in party mood chatting to all the guests. Proceedings were rounded off in the traditional manner with a rousing chorus of A two-course lunch, followed by coffee, was “We’ll Meet Again”! prepared and served by members of Windsor Lion Diane Purchase concluded: “It is probably Lions, their families and friends. The event had one of the Club’s most worthwhile event of the an Old Time Music Hall theme with full blooded annual calendar – it is so much fun and bonhomie singsong led by the renowned keyboard and our members love doing it and of course our guests song artist Phil Phillips. have a whale of a time”. Member Profile Our Oldest Member – John Harrold

John is an active member at the young age of 85, having joined the Lions in 1963. The club at that time was slightly different to what we see now. Suits, ties and smart dress were the order of the day, no women were allowed, and some of the activities performed then, would be classed as not politically correct!!

We posed a series of questions for John to answer, and below are his answers.

Q – What was the most important thing you Q – Your proudest moment and greatest learnt from your parents…. achievement…. If you earnt £20 a week and spent £19, you’d I was only a young kid in the war, and I saw my be happy. However, if you spent £21, you Dad battered and bleeding in his National Fire would be in trouble. Service uniform, come out of a building that had just been bombed. I was so proud of my Q – The first record I bought was.... Dad. Jonny Ray – Crying I was picked and played for the RAF football team. Q – What are you most passionate about…. Right now? BREXIT! Q – Who is your sporting hero - and why…. Bobby Moore – captain of the English football Q – My greatest weakness was…. team that won the world cup. A brilliant player, I was put on a charge in the RAF and put in jail. captain and a gentleman. (John wouldn’t go any further as to what the charge was)! Q – “Not many people know but I am really good at”…. Q – Your most embarrassing moment…. Watercolour painting. My career has been For a competition at school, John had to based on graphic art, and I had to ‘touch up’ choose a non-de-plum. He chose the name photographs for newspapers, such as Linda Errol Flynn. From then on, the other kids called Lusardi for the Sun’s page 3! him Elsie Flynn! There was also the occasion when I was Q – My perfect evening is…. introduced to Princes Anne for the second Spending it with my family of two children and time. I said to her that we had met a year ago, 8 grandchildren. to which she said, ‘I remember it well’ Q – What have you gained most by being a Lion…. Helping others. Comradeship and helping others less fortunate than ourselves.

Q – If you had one wish - what would it be? I wish the human race was not the cruellest animal (to each other), on the planet. THE BIG SPLASH 2019! The Swimathon of the Year

Windsor Lions will be holding our 23rd Swimathon at Windsor Leisure Centre on Sunday 13th October 2019 . This major charity fun event enables teams to raise funds for their nominated charity or good cause. The Windsor Lions Club covers All you need to do is put together a team. An Adult team can consist of up a wide area of East to 6 swimmers plus a non-swimming team captain. Junior teams (under including Ascot, , Horton, 16 years) must have an adult non-swimming captain and may consist of Old Windsor, Sunninghill, up to 8 swimmers plus a mandatory adult. and Windsor. Teams swim for 55 minutes, with a fixed start time and sponsorship is It is part of Lions International, based on the number of laps swam (2 lengths). the largest community service Registration Fee, due to charges for the hire of the pool, will be £15 per organisation in the world. team. An Entry Form and Event details can be obtained from [email protected] Worldwide there are about 43,000 Lions Clubs in over 180 countries, For more information please visit [email protected] with more than 1.4 million members. or call 0845 8334749 Windsor Lions was established in 1961 and have raised over £2m in funds by organising events and SOME DATES FOR YOUR 2019 DIARIES corporate sponsorship. 31st/1st September - JUMP BUILDING for the horse ride - We serve the community by supporting local people in need - Youth projects, Senior Citizens 7th / 8th September - HORSE RIDE – Windsor Great Park . groups, Mencap, provision of 1st Monday of the month – our regular Dinner Meeting . sports facilities for the disabled and holidays for the elderly, these We extend a very warm welcome to all Supporters of the are some of the ways in which Windsor Lions to participate in any or all of these events. The Lions Club of Windsor offer support. See future issues of THE ROAR for more diary dates.

GET IN Did we help anybody? TOUCH We have a great reputation for our community work. In Windsor and surrounding areas, For more information on the members of Windsor Lions currently provide a range of services to help those in need – from supporting the elderly to providing the basic household items to families Windsor Lions contact: who have fallen on hard times. Paul Skinner Here are some examples from the last three months where we have helped people: Email: [email protected] or Mobile: 07980 547147 Windsor Lions working with Citizens Advice Bureau supported the cost of a Debt Relief Order to support a disabled person in Windsor Web: www.windsorlions.co.uk in financial difficulties.. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/ A single mother with 3 children from Windsor recently moved into Lions-Club-of-Windsor/ social housing in Maidenhead required support to carpet part of the 126969737412502 property. Windsor & Maidenhead Lions supported 50/50% of the cost. Twitter: A happy team of Windsor Lions cleared a garden in Sunninghill and @windsorlions paid for groundwork to give safe access for a disabled gentleman.