Dorchester Lions have presented cheques to a range of local good causes and charities in the run-up to Christmas.

They are proud to have donated to the START team who work with people with severe and enduring mental illness by providing work opportunities in the community at their ‘Make a Difference’ days.

The Lions Club have also given £250 to the DPAG (Dorchester Poverty Action Group).

This donation is aimed specifically at providing support for local families who are experiencing hardship with high fuel and energy costs as the cold winter starts (this initiative was run in collaboration with Dorchester Citizens Advice and is especially relevant at this time of the year).

The club has made another donation to Mind in West Dorset.

Dorchester Lions are especially proud to have supported this appeal from its inception and recognises the significant work and progress that has been achieved in little over a year in the campaign to enhance mental health services locally.

Today, the club will be supporting a special event – ’Christmas in the Court Room’ by the Hardy Players in the Shire Hall, Dorchester, with profits from the evening being donated to Mind.

In addition the club is delighted to have the opportunity to support the new not-for-profit local radio station, Keep 106 in Dorchester, which provides an important vehicle for disseminating local issues and news.

The club have also made donations to the Dorset Echo Toy Fund, the Dorchester Mayor’s Fund and the Dorchester Volunteer Centre Christmas meals.

These donations are in addition to specific requests for financial assistance proposed to the club by professional agencies, such as Citizen’s Advice.

Dorchester Lions fundraising goes on throughout the year – and the club appreciates the support given by the local community who take part in their events.

All funds raised are donated to charity with administration costs covered by membership fees.

The club was delighted to have put on a new event in, their charity golf day at Came Down in Ryder Cup week and its resounding success will ensure that it will become an annual event in September.

The Lions will hold their annual Christmas collection at Tesco’s in Dorchester on Friday, December 21.

They are also busy planning their next big community fundraising event the Lions Fun Swim at the 1610 Sports Centre, Dorchester on the weekend of March 2-3, 2019. Visit their website lionsdorchester.org.uk and Facebook@LionsDorchester