MALVERN Hills Lions Club has begun its new year by welcoming its new president, Russell Emery, and getting involved with support for community projects and individuals.

Mr Emery grew up in Malvern, and was a member of the Malvern Hills Lions Club for several years before moving away from the town as the senior health and safety manager for an international construction company.

He returned to Malvern seven years ago with his wife Mary, and is honoured to be elected to lead the Malvern Lions in the centennial year of the foundation of Lions Clubs International.

In one recent example of its support for the community, the club worked with Link Top-based electrical suppliers DAR to provide a new washing machine for a disabled person.

Robin Chacksfield and his team from DAR sprang into action and delivered and installed the equipment as soon as the Lions got in touch.

The club has also recently welcomed young people from 29 different countries attending an international youth exchange to a game of rounders and a barbecue of local sausages, and has also helped out with the Fortis Fun Day and the Alfrick and Lulsley Show.

It has made a substantial donation to Birmingham Children’s Hospital for a special video scanner to be used to examine very young children, has sent money to Sri Lanka to support victims of the recent flooding there, bought a car seat for a severely disabled child, and supported young people, mainly Scouts and Guides, who were taking part in training overseas.

Secretary Heather Jeavons said: “Malvern Hills Lions are a friendly and outgoing group of local men and women who enjoy serving the community and share a busy social life with skittles, meals out, quizzes and running fundraising events such as casino evenings.”

To find out more about the club’s activities, contact Heather Jeavons on 07989 161666.