A Cumbrian Lions group has been honoured for 50 years of service to their community.
A floral display has been created to recognise the work of Penrith Lions Club outside the town hall by Westmorland and Furness Council to mark the club’s 50th anniversary.
The display features a Penrith Lions Club 50 years banner, and all council-managed flower beds in Penrith’s parks and open spaces have also been colour-coordinated in blue and yellow.
Tony Cleasby, president of Penrith Lions Club, said: “Our blue and yellow logo is recognised around the world as a symbol of kindness and service.
“The men and women of Penrith Lions have raised around £500,000 over the past half century to help good causes in Penrith and the surrounding area.
“Ian Proud, who was a pharmacist at Boots the chemist, was instrumental in setting up the club charter in February 1976.”
The 16 men and women of Penrith Lions Club include one original member, David Fleming, who helped to form the club in 1976.
They give their time to raise around £10,000 to £15,000 per year, which is all ploughed back into the community.
Tony added: “We support individuals who find themselves in difficulties through no fault of their own. It might be somebody who has been domestically abused and has moved up to our area to escape their circumstances and they’ve got a couple of children, but they’ve found themselves without a bed, a cooker or a washing machine. We can provide those items.
“We like to support young people and elderly people as well – those people who can’t look after themselves as well as they would like to.”
Cllr Helen Chaffey, Westmorland and Furness Council’s cabinet member for communities, customer services, culture and communications, added: “Lions Club members are such a familiar and reassuring sight at outdoor events across Westmorland and Furness as they carry out their marshalling and car parking duties to raise charitable funds. This floral display is our way of saluting their marvellous efforts and saying thank you.”
