Editorial: Roaring success as Lions pitch in

I had the pleasure of sharing dinner with an impressive group of Lions this week.

The Whangarei Pakeke Lions started back in 1983, with 22 people aged 55 and over, after Pat Gavin placed an advertisement in the Northern Advocate. I know this because Ian Williams, a Pakeke Lion and former Northern Advocate employee, was kind enough to provide me with a healthy set of facts about this unique club.

The club presented $10,000 to Project Promise on Tuesday night. $10,000 - what a fantastic donation.

The money was gratefully accepted by fellow Lion and Project Promise representative Colin Twyman.

I was invited as the Northern Advocate is the primary media sponsor of Project Promise. I was delighted to attend. And I marvelled at the fact that the average age of the club is now 80!

They were kind enough to listen attentively as I spoke about the paper's connection with Lions and Project Promise, and they even laughed at my lame joke.

Other projects the Pakeke Lions have raised money for include the Northland Electricity rescue helicopter, child cancer, hospice and multiple street collections.

The main fundraisers though for this group are the annual telephone book deliveries, and Lions Christmas cake and hamper sales.

The Lions motto is "we serve". Pakeke Lions, you certainly do, congratulations and thank you again for inviting me to share your evening.