IN five years Forest of Dean Lions Club has raised almost £100,000 for charity.

Tireless fundraising by an army of willing volunteers is the recipe to their success according to Lions president, Alan Townley. He says by the end of the year the club could be very close to reaching the fantastic amount.

The club supports causes both at home and abroad – with one of their biggest appeals for the flood victims in Pakistan in 2010 which the Review helped bolster.

Alan said: “The majority of funds are donated to local good causes and a small portion helps international appeals or disasters.”

Among the annual events that have helped boost the pot is the Wild Boar Chase, Enduro cycling and the Fern Bonfire Display at Speech House in conjunction with Severn Dean Lions.

Alan said: “The club has been going since 1973 but our fundraising took a leap about five years ago. Before that we were raising about £8,000 a year.

“The Forest of Dean Club is made up of people from all walks of life. What brings them together is the desire to help the local community and have fun doing it. They are part of the largest charity organisation in the world: Lions Clubs International, which has over 1.3 million members.

“Over the years the Forest Club has made good contacts with clubs in Sri Lanka and Pakistan. With the help of the Forest Review more than £2,500 was raised which helped towards the building of six houses in Pakistan, which was managed by a Pakistan Lions Club. We also built two houses in Sri Lanka after the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami.

“Causes we have helped closer to home include the Air Ambulance, Forest Sea Cadets, the Victoria Centre (in Lydney), Berry Hill Community Orchard, Lydney Hospital and the Youth Café. Where possible the help may be of a more physical nature with Children’s Opportunity Centre in Coleford having a garden makeover and the Victoria Centre had a patio laid.

“The members also provide car parking stewards for several other local charity events held throughout the year which, of course, supports other fundraising events in the community.”

If you fancy volunteering or would like advice on fundraising for a specific project visit www.forestlions.org.uk.

The Lions are holding a meeting on November 10 between 6pm to 8.30pm at the Victoria Centre in Lydney.