FOREST of Dean Lions Club has donated £500 to help those affected by Hurricane Irma in Florida and the Caribbean.

The hurricane is one of the strongest storms ever recorded in the region and has caused loss of life and widespread devastation to Caribbean islands Barbuda and St Martin. It hit Florida on Sunday (September 10).

Spokesperson for the group, Alan Townley, said: “The money has been sent to the headquarters of the International Lions Foundation. From here it will get distributed to local Lions clubs in the affected areas.

“This is done almost immediately so that local clubs with local knowledge can source those things that are needed. As more donations are sent to headquarters these are also forwarded to where there are needed.

“The great advantage of using Lions clubs is that no one is paid or receives any form of payment. 100 per cent of all donations reach the people who need the help.

“If anyone wishes to contribute we will be sending further donations in the near future.”

Donations, payable to ’The Forest of Dean Lions Club’, can be sent by cheque to the Review offices, Kings Buildings, Hill Street, Lydney, GL15 5HE. You can also donate by Paypal on the Forest of Dean Lions website or on the Forest of Dean Lions Facebook page.