MEMBERS of Goring, Woodcote and District Lions Club raised a record £4,391.18 with door-to-door collections in the run-up to Christmas.

It was the 31st year that the Lions have toured South Oxfordshire villages with Santa on his sleigh and volunteer "elves" to collect donations while playing seasonal carols.

Each volunteer group of helpers will receive half of what they collected for their chosen charity project.

In Sonning Common the Lions were helped by Shirehall Rugby Club, in Woodcote by local beavers, cub and scout leaders and in Goring by members of the Goring Primary School parent- teacher association.

The totals collected by area were: Sonning Common —£1,026.30; Goring — £1,025.46; Woodcote and Crays Pond — £1,009.12; Whitchurch Hill — £371.07; Whitchurch — £306.47 and Whitchurch Bridge — £652.76.

The majority of the club’s fund-raising receipts are spent locally with about 10 per cent of funds going to support Lions International charitable projects in other parts of the world. During the past year, the club has:

* Supplied three kissing gates for Chiltern Way footpaths in and around Woodcote, a specialist bed and chair for two local hospices, two weather-proof benches for residents of Mowforth Close, Woodcote, four tents for Sonning Common cubs and equipment for Sonning Common Pre-School.

* Supplied and planted trees in Goring, Woodcote and Whitchurch Hill to mark the Queen’s diamond jubilee.

* Given a Christmas hamper to someone in need and supplied and fitted a new washing machine and furniture for a family.

* Made donations to the Chiltern and Thames Valley Air Ambulance Trust and Macmillan Nurse and supported the Royal Berkshire Hospital’s Robbie the Robot Appeal.

* Sponsored a local girl to work with children overseas and given financial support to the Footsteps Foundation.

Throughout the year Lions collect used or unwanted spectacles, including sunglasses, for re-use in third world countries.

Collection points are at Sonning Common Health Centre, the Boathouse Surgery in Pangbourne, the Goring and Woodcote medical centres and the post office in Woodcote Way, Caversham.

Published 09/01/13