Newcastle Lions help Tools for Solidarity

24 September 2025

NEWCASTLE Lions Club is appealing to the public to get a charity back on the road.

Tools for Solidarity works with the Lions to send recycled goods to new homes in Africa where they are put to good use.

Unfortunately, the charity’s delivery van has to come to the end of its days and a replacement will cost £38,000.

A Lions spokesperson said: “Each year Newcastle Lions Club host a recycling day when the public donate sewing machines, tools, bicycles and spectacles.

“This year the event was hosted with the help of Newcastle Community Cinema. At the end of the day, the tools and sewing machines were collected by Tools for Solidarity.

“Unfortunately since the recycling day, TFS no longer have a van to make collections as time has caught up on it. Moving with the times in responding to our environment, they are trying to raise funds to purchase a £38k electric van through crowd funding /explore.

“They have raised £9k and have a target of £20k with 56 days left on the website facility.

“Newcastle Lions are asking the public to consider helping TFS to get a van and continue with their wonderful work, by donating through the website facility.

The spokesperson continued: “The donated tools are made into kits and despatched to Tanzania. TFS service the sewing machines and accompany these to their training schools in Malawi and Tanzania. Here they train local people to sew. The people can then purchase the sewing machines.

“The people have pride in ownership, taking care of their machines rather than a charity hand-out. With a new skill and the tools to do it, the people then set up their own business and are self supporting.”

To access the donation facility, go to Google and type in ‘crowd funding, explore tools for solidarity’.

Meanwhile, on Saturday the Lions hosted their annual Daisy Dander fundraising walk along the promenade.

The event highlights Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and the work of Daisy Lodge, a facility in Bryansford run by the Cancer Fund for Children.

The walkers were flagged off by former BBC news presenter Noel Thompson and were given great support by pupils from Shimna Integrated College and university students who helped erect a gazebo and decorate the promenade.

Lions president Beth Cairnduff would like to thank all the sponsors and supporters, including CHP Mechanical Engineering, Dundrum, Joanne and John Smyth, Creative Village Dundrum, Newry, Mourne and Down Council, Banbridge Old Vehicle Club, REC first aider Raymond Shannon, face painter Helen Newell, staff at Daisy Lodge and local businesses

Fund-raising for Childhood Cancer will continue on Saturday, October 4,, when Riot House and Youth Centre, 7 Manse Road, Dundrum, will host a big breakfast in aid of the charity. A donation of £10 is suggested.

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