British Consuls see how - 27.08.2010

MATTHEW VICKERS, British Consul to the Canary Islands and Dave Thomas, British Consul General for Iberia, paid a visit this week to the Lions Charity Shop at the Apolo Centre in Los Cristianos.

They were there to have a look at the work the Lions are doing in the local community, and how it fits in with that of the Consulate. 
The visitors were welcomed by Tenerife Sur President Norman Goodall MBE, who gave them a tour of the facility, which opened just under a year ago.
It includes an extensive ladies’ section, a library and a general area where men’s and children’s clothing, electrical goods, toys and general bric-a-brac are displayed.
 
The shop is one of two operated by Tenerife Sur Lions; the other is located in Costa del Silencio and has been running successfully for 10 years.
All items in the shops are priced very competitively and, in today’s economic climate, represent excellent value for money. They have all been generously donated by members of the public and local businesses.
The Lions do need your support to continue with their valuable work, so remember: DON’T DUMP IT, DONATE IT. 
Norman Goodall then went on to explain how the cash generated from the shops, and other traditional fund-raising activities, had been used since the branch was formed over 25 years ago.
Projects included the supply of a deep-sea lifeboat, a quick-response ambulance, children’s holidays, furniture, bedding, food, repatriation, disaster funds; help with accommodation, plus mortgage or rent payments.
Medically the Lions have supplied hearing aids, eye-glasses, supported osteoporosis and prostate cancer testing. They have also helped arrange funerals and have loaned out wheelchairs, crutches and frames from the shop at Costa del Silencio.
By far the biggest projects of recent years have been the annual children’s holidays. With the continuous help of Lions Clubs in the UK, more than 500 handicapped and under-privileged young people and their carers have been brought to Tenerife for holidays of a lifetime.
Similarly Tenerife Sur Lions have organised and financed holidays in the UK for local under-privileged young people from schools and orphanages across Tenerife.
The latest took place last month, when a 31-strong party enjoyed a holiday at Pontins, Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park, in North Wales.
Tenerife Sur Lions also run a bi-lingual “Helpline” service, enabling those in difficulty to contact the club directly for assistance. Because the Lions work closely with the local government, councils and the British Consulate, they can often respond quickly without the delays of bureaucracy.
The British Consulate in Tenerife are based in Santa Cruz and can be contacted on 922 286 863. To find out more details of how they may be able to help you, visit their websites at either www.fco.gov.uk or www.ukinspain.fco.gov.uk for information.
The big question is whether or not the visitors purchased anything from the Lions shop on their visit. The answer is, of course, no one can resist a bargain!