RECYCLED spectacles have netted Forest of Dean Lions enough cash to donate £500 for Royal Forest of Dean Riding for the Disabled carriage group to shoe their horses.

Alan Townley, from the Lions, said: “We collect the unwanted glasses at the Co-op in Lydney and the council’s recycling centre in Broadwell. They are sent away to be sorted by Chichester Lions and many are refurbished, sent to developing countries and given to those on low incomes. The ones that are left are melted down for their very small amounts of precious metals. This money is then donated back to us for sight-related projects.

“We made a donation of £500 to the Forest Sensory Centre in Cinderford and gave the same amount to the carriage group located at Newnham. They take out local disabled individuals in their horse and carriage and we’re pleased that, with the donation, they will be able to shoe the two horses for six months.”

The Forest of Dean Lions annually raise in the region of £18,000 from two large events – the Fern Bonfire at Speech House and the Wild Boar cycle event – and several smaller ones.

Mr Townley added: “All these events require people power to succeed. We are looking for volunteers and new members to enable us to continue raising these sums annually. With more members we could even increase the amount we raise, which all goes back to the local community. We can be contacted through our web site www.forestlions.

org.uk, which also gives details of the donations we make, or by phone on 0845 833 6753.

“Anyone who feels that they have a worthwhile request for help should also contact Forest of Dean Lions if they live in the GL15, GL16 areas and Severndean Lions in the GL14 and GL17 areas.”