Regional Lions clubs back Dance Aid

LIONS clubs throughout the region are roaring to help a popular bi-annual event.The popular 'dance aid' show by the June Glennie School of Dance will be held in October - and the local Lions Clubs have joined forces once more to help this charity fundraising spectacular.

LIONS clubs throughout the region are roaring to help a popular bi-annual event.

The popular 'dance aid' show by the June Glennie School of Dance will be held in October - and the local Lions Clubs have joined forces once more to help this charity fundraising spectacular.

During the past seven years the June Glennie School has given Lions Clubs International in excess of �25,000, which has helped to change the lives of poor and vulnerable children worldwide.

And Dave Woodruff, the Lions Dance Aid co-ordinator, recalls the stunning array of joint achievements that have been made to date.

'In 2003 the school's contribution helped 100 disabled orphans in Changsha 4, an orphanage in China,' he said. 'It provided solar panels for hot water and six showers, disabled equipment, 12 months meat and vegetables, decoration of two dormitories and, most important of all, the salaries of three cuddling grannies, who go to the camp three times a week to simply hug the children, who had never been hugged in their entire lives!!

'The children started to smile and talk - a tremendous difference from a small hug.'

Mr Woodruff also explained how in 2005 and 2007 - with the backing of The Journal and support from sponsors across East Anglia - the lions completed building an orphans village, the Phuket Sunshine Village.

'The school provided a brand new Toyota Bus and then equipped a dispensary for the 120 children in the Phuket Sunshine Village as it is now called,' Mr Woodruff said.

'This year, our own lion's charity 'a gift for living' will be the recipient of the school's ongoing support.'

This charity stemmed from the Lionheart Shoeboxes appeal to Croatia, when the support of The Journal and thousands of local adults and children, organisations and companies helped the Lions to take 96,000 shoeboxes full of goods to the displaced people of Croatia in 1996.

'We now have an ongoing programme building paediatric units and staff training in the former Yugoslavia,' Mr Woodruff said.

'If any group would like more details of these achievements we would be most happy to come along and do a presentation.'

Dance Aid 2009 will once more be held at the Brittannia Pier in Great Yarmouth on Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24. Tickets go on sale on Monday, September 7 at 10am and are obtainable from Betta-Travel in the Triangle Market at Lowestoft or on the door at performance (if available).

For more details, telephone 01502 741588.