Lions Clubs come together for local charity

Westbury Lions Club joined forces with five other Lions Clubs to raise £1,650 for essential equipment for a local charity.  

The clubs from the local zone of Lions International – Bradford on Avon, Salisbury, Trowbridge, Warminster, Westbury, and Gillingham, Mere and Shaftesbury – came together to fund a 10-litre compact oxygen concentrator for the Wessex MS Therapy Centre in Warminster.  

This followed a visit by clubs in the zone to the centre in 2024, where members gained an insight into the vital work carried out there.  

“Our members were shown the huge range of physiotherapy equipment used and listened to how oxygen therapy helps so many different conditions,” said Paula Thorpe, zone chairperson and member of Westbury Lions Club. “We also heard how far clients must come to use this centre of excellence.

“It occurred to us that this centre provides so many services and treatments for communities from all our clubs. We asked how we could help.  

“As a zone we do not often have the opportunity to work collectively for all our communities. However, the scope of the centre enables every community in our zone to benefit.”  

The concentrator will allow the centre to deliver oxygen safely and efficiently to members who cannot access therapy elsewhere. It is portable, meaning it can also be used to support members who are experiencing a relapse and are unable to travel to the centre.  

“By funding this concentrator, we will be directly helping people living with MS to manage relapses, reduce fatigue and improve their quality of life,” said Paula.  

“Each session brings relief and hope – benefits that extend beyond the individual to their families and carers too.”   

The clubs presented the cheque to long-standing centre member Elaine Russ and the centre’s CEO, Rosie, during a visit on Wednesday 28th January. The Lions were also shown the concentrator, which has already been put to use helping local people living with MS and other neurological conditions.