Dare to Dream Peace Poster Contest Winner

Newcastle  and  Ballynahinch  Lions  clubs  combined  again this  year to sponsor  a  superb  peace  poster competition in   5  local  post  primary  schools.

The  judges  Robin McCaren Newcastle Lions and Alison Heron Head of Art at Belfast High School had  a  busy time  looking  at the  creative  talents  of  over 100  entries.

This was a  fantastic  response  once  again from our  local  schools.

The  winning  entry  was submitted by Assumption Grammar  school pupil Saranya  Nagineni  who had  a  beautiful  reflective  and  appropriate quote  for  us  all submitted with the poster.

"  Your  dreams  of  today  can  be  reality  tomorrow  if  we  work  together"

Saranya ‘s poster was forwarded to the all Ireland competition where it achieved first place and it has now been  selected  as  Irelands  entry  to the  International  Peace  Poster Contest. It was posted to the USA on 1st December 2023 and the local Lions wish Saranya every good luck in this very prestigious competition.

This  is  great news for Saranya,  her  parents, her  teacher , and  the school.

The clubs  visited  the  schools and pupils who had submitted entries and  presented certificates and  prizes at assemblies. They  were  also  able  to  talk  about  Lions  work  at  local, District  and international  level.

The Winning Poster by Saranya  Nagineni

Photo   Left  to  R  Mr  T  Barry  Art  Teacher  John  Murphy  Ballynahinch  Lions,  Marian  McGreevy  Vice District Governor winner Assumption Grammar student Saranya  Nagineni,  Francis  Casement Ballynahinch  Lions Jeanine  Knight  Newcastle  Lions Vice  President  and  Mrs  Deirdre  Keary  Head  of  Art  and  Design Assumption 

Lions thank local business for helping to maintain defibrillators.

At a recent meeting of Newcastle Lions the President Liz Murphy thanked the Maghera Inn and Irelands Electric for maintaining the defibrillators at their premises. The Lions maintain 8 other defibrillators in the Newcastle and Castlewellan area. During the evening Stephanie Leckey from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service thanked the Lions for looking after the defibrillators meticulously and then showed a training video on how to use a defibrillator and afterwards answered questions from the members. She emphasised the need to begin doing CPR if there is not normally breathing detected of two breathes in 10 seconds and then if assistance is present, ring 999 and they will give details of the nearest defibrillator and begin to use. Anyone can use it as there are full instructions as soon as it is opened. The machine will advise if shocking is required. Occasionally this might not occur if it is not needed. The only requirement is that the skin is dry and free from hair so that the pads can adhere properly. The enclosed kit assists with this. She outlined how successful the combined use of CPR and use of a defibrillator can be in saving life. The video is available for all to watch so please go to Newcastle Lions Facebook site, Newcastle County Down Lions.

During a recent visit by a few Lions when they learnt of the activities of the RNLI Lion Terry O'Reilly presented a cheque for £200 to Shane Rice. This will be followed up by a presentation by members of the local RNLI at the members meeting on 12th December 2023

Photo from L to R Shane Rice RNLI, Thomas Ireland, Newcastle Lions President Liz Murphy, Oran Flannagan, Stephanie Leckey, Simon Fell both NIA

Newcastle Lions Club Host Celebratory Evening in aid of Daisy Lodge Fund.

On Wednesday evening in a packed  Newcastle Bowling Club Newcastle Lions Club hosted a celebratory talk show in aid of  Daisy Lodge  Fund, with  B&B By the Sea star Chef Alex Greene who was interviewed by  MC for the evening by BBC radio presenter, David O'Reilly. The evening had been billed as the opportunity to meet some of the stars, through  conversation ,which  Alex had worked  with during the production of  B& B by the  Sea. As well as being introduced to  Deborah Meadon, Shirley  Ballas, Linford  Christie and Gloria  Hunniford , MC David O'Reilly expertly introduced the audience as how  Alex began life. This produced many laughs , as Alex shared tales as to how he began his journey as a child working on the family farm and his working in the Bucks Head, Dundrum washing dishes. Later  Alex moved on to  Deanes in  Belfast where, while working there  the restaurant  received the  Michelin Star  under  Derek  Creagh.

At the end of the evening  Newcastle Lions Marian  Mc Greevey thanked  Alex and David for giving of their time, thanks were also extended to  Newcastle Bowling Club and  Newry ,Mourne and Down  District  Council for allowing use of the premises. Newcastle Lions  Club will now arrange to make a large donation to  the  Children's Cancer Fund  Daisy Lodge as a result of donations from  the Daisy  Dander, the coffee morning  in  Scopers Dundrum and the Celebratory  Evening with  Alex. 

Photo: Alex  Greene interviewed  by  David  O'Reilly with Newcastle Lion Marian  Mc Greevy thanking both for a wonderful evening

Photo: Some of the audience at the event