CALLINGTON and District Lions have been helping other town organisations in supporting those in need both in Plymouth and Ukraine.

Plymouth Soup Run’s regular team recently had some additional support from Callington and District Lions and The Cornwall Bakery. They prepared food and hot drinks for over 70 of Plymouth’s homeless and those in need.

Thanks go to the Shekinah Mission for the use of their kitchen and to Callington’s The Cornwall Bakery for supplying Ginster’s pasties and sausage rolls.

Seen in one of the pictures here are regular soup runners Councillor Andrew Long, June Trevithick and Jeremy Gist. In support are Sarah Martin and Alison Jeffery from The Cornwall Bakery and Anne Willcocks. Callington Lion Derek Prickett said they were pleased to be helping with the Soup Run. He added they have also been providing financial support for the Run over many years.

In addition to helping out locally Callington Lions have also been collecting sleeping bags and ‘Teddies for Tears’ for sending to Ukraine.

Lion Emma Burnard explained that as the ‘Teddies for Tears’ had proved very popular with all our local emergency services, for giving to traumatised youngsters, it was thought that they would be useful for children in Ukraine. These were given to Darren’s Taxis of St Ann’s Chapel for their recent run to Poland which featured on the front page of the Wednesday, March 9, issue of the Cornish Times.

Callington Lions are now planning to support taxi firm owner Darren Tait again, this time by going to mainland Europe with a vehicle. This will be taken directly to Lions Clubs in Warsaw with items requested by the Lions clubs there.

Those taking aid supplies have been asked not to bring clothing but to concentrate on personal hygiene items and ‘bags of love’ filled with children’s colouring books, crayons and children’s toys.

These small bags can be given directly to an individual child. They are greatly needed as the Lions Clubs in and around Warsaw are currently supporting over a 1,000 Ukrainian orphans. Emma said that Lions are able to assist in a direct way since they can link with local clubs in the areas where the needs are greatest.

In addition the Lions Club International Foundation has given $105,000 to Lions Clubs in countries bordering Ukraine.

If you would like to help Callington Lions please give Emma a call on 0345 833 7527.