HOW DO WE SPEND THE FUNDS RAISED?

The answer is in a wide variety of ways with the emphasis being on supporting local good causes. Every request that we receive is diligently reviewed and if considered appropriate and affordable then we endeavour to offer a part or full payment. Sadly, we cannot afford to say yes to every appeal for help and some are considered not appropriate. 

Apart from the funds raised for organisations such as the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance with our Easter Eggstravaganza appeal, the many families and individuals that we help with our Project Wenceslas Appeal funds, and a specific beneficiary each year from our Annual Golf Day, let alone the senior citizens that attend our Afternoon Tea Parties, and the numerous families and individuals that receive one of our 250 Xmas food parcels, where does the rest of our money go?

A typical example of our support was to FAST, a Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity Project, which targets Children and Families with Dyslexia to the tune of £3,325.00p. 

Dyslexia affects people regardless of intellectual ability and is a learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills needed for accurate and fluent reading, writing and spelling including memory and processing speed.  There are many other symptoms, ranging from mild to severe, and no two people with dyslexia are the same. It is highly hereditary, affecting 1 in 10 people in the UK.

In a typical Year 3 setting around 15% of the pupils will have persistent literacy issues but will not be eligible to access government funding and their families may not be able to afford specialist help. The FAST project, which targets this group, provides specialist one to one support, a workshop for parents to help them support their child plus workshops for all teaching staff to help them identify and support children with dyslexia. The funds provide by the Lions Club of Farnham will support the rollout of this project at a local school.

                                                         Pictured are Phil Alexander, Farnham Lions President, presenting the cheque to 

                                  Andy Wood, Chief Executive, supported by fLions, Barbara Wright, Ray Brown and Keith Harris.

Here are some of the organisations and items that we have recently been able to support.

Bereavement charity		Cookers
Garners goes Bananas appeal		Baby Goods
Other Scouts and Guides needs		Hot school meals for children
Charities supporting young people with mental health  needs.		School shoes & uniforms
		Educational resources
Farnham Unihockey and Floorballing club		Carpeting
Homestart Waverley		Bunk beds
Sandy Hill Projects		Nursery fees
Children’s activity groups		Travel costs
Helen Arkell centre		Defibrillators
Farnham Competitive Music Festival		Play equipment
Citizen’s Advice Bureau		Lighting & audio equipment
St Peter’s School		Cooking equipment
Waverley School initiative		Reading scheme books
Heath End School initiative		Garden work
SHIP		Respite care
Farnham Youth Choir		Mobility scooter
Tilford Church		Specialist gloves
Change of Scene		Stair lift
William Cobbett School initiative		Specialist seating
Bells Piece		Residential trips
Highfield School initiativ		Art projects
Farnham Thursday Club		Specialist beds
TARNS		Overnight hospital visit accommodation
Leverton Hall		Coats
The Ridgeway School		Buggy & Car Seat
Farnham Maltings – various projects		Therapy course