Lions Club Youth Awards look to the future

George Coleman, President of Bexhill Lions Club, welcomed all those present at the event held on the premises of Hair Pro Uk in Sea Road, and then introduced Avril Earnshaw of the Lions' Youth committee.

Avril commented: "It is heart-warming to know that our wonderful town has superb groups for the youth of our town to attend, find interesting projects, learn self respect, and gain inspiration for their future years as decent members of society.

"Over the past few years it's been our pleasure to donate thousands of pounds to support the work of these voluntary organisations, and we hope to be able to do so in future too.

"The Bexhill Lions Youth Awards have been funded by a past legacy, but with funds now running low, sponsorship from local companies may be required in years to come.

"Indeed, we were delighted this year when Sam Watkinson-Aldous of Hair Pro UK offered to help top up our funds, and so enable us to contribute as much as possible to this year's Youth Award recipients."

Youth Award cheques were presented to this year's beneficiaries, which were:

- Invicta Duke of Edinburgh Award Group, for waterproof equipment used in map reading, orienteering, and general survival skills.

- Bexhill Swimming Club, for time pieces, starting pistols and a floats.

- Bexhill Youth & Community Centre, used by all sorts of activities for all age groups, for new equipment.

- St. Michaels Church on Glassenbury Drive, for equipment for the youth club's new photography and journalism project.

- Glenco Football Club, for trophies encouraging all young players to participate.

- Little Common Football Club, to help fund vital training for volunteer coaches.

- Bexhill Rowing Club, towards repair and equipment costs.

Concluding the evening, Sam Watkinson-Aldous commented, "The Lions work very hard raising money for needy people in the area. It is all voluntary work and without this money there would a lot of people still struggling to achieve thier goals. My children are the youth of tomorrow, and I am proud to be able to make a donation to the youth awards and so help the youth groups to buy the equipment they need today. The Lions need to keep the annual Youth Awards going so if there are any companies or organisations out there who feel they can help please contact the Lions."

Bexhill Lions Club can be contacted on 0845 8339591.