Life saving donation

The Lions Club of Mount Gambier has allocated more than $7000 to Lions service projects and community organisations including Riding for the Disabled.

RDA Mount Gambier’s allocation of almost $1500 has been used to purchase a potentially life-saving automated external defibrillator.

Club president Martin Vercoe said they know of at least one life saved in Mount Gambier thanks to an AED funded by Lions and were more than happy to approve RDA’s request when they approached the club.

The device is housed in a special cabinet that Mr Vercoe installed inside RDA’s arena.

“Our members work hard to raise funds through catering, Bunnings and Total Tools barbeques and other activities, and it is rewarding to see that money being used to support projects that benefit the community,” he said.

“The Lions’ motto is ‘we serve,’ and our members are certainly doing that by giving their time and effort to fundraising as well as new and ongoing service projects throughout the year.”

The Lions Club’s six-monthly allocation also included $580 to buy a convection microwave oven for the canteen at disability employer Bedford Mount Gambier.

Allocations of $1000 were approved for the Australian Lions Foundation, Country Fire Service Foundation, Lions Medical Research Foundation Skin Cancer Screening Project and Lions Australia Operation Smile.

The Lions Blood Cord Foundation and Caring Kids Charity Project both received $500.

Meanwhile, the club recently welcomed new members Peter Burke and Roberto Viola.

Mr Burke moved from Melbourne to Mount Gambier in 2022 and has been volunteering with Meals on Wheels, while Mr Viola has transferred from the Lions Club of Junee in New South Wales.