District 105M Gala Banqueting & Ball on 7th June 2008 in aid of Campaign Sightfirst II

The District had its first Gala Banqueting & Ball on 7th June 2008 in aid of Campaign SightFirst II.

The District was given a target of around $132000 to be achieved over 3 years. In the first 2 years till June 2007, the District had raised around £30000.

In the final year, the District managed to raise up to over £95000. This was 150% above target. The Gala Ball attracted 274 people and for the event a special Gala souvenir booklet was prepared. The evening raised a net profit in excess of £11500.

PID Jay Patel had kindly agreed to attend the function. The public was entertainment by Don MaClean. The evening comprised of Auction, Raffles, Live Music by Tropical band and Disco by Lion Darren Blenkiron. DG Suresh Gohil and PID Jay Patel presented several Awards on the night as follows: MJF to Miss Pushpanjali Gohil, Lion Shabir Ibrahim (Bushby Lions Club), Lion Mahesh Pandya (Bushby Lions Club) for their contribution in excess of $1000 each while International President Appreciation Certificates were presented to: DG Suresh Gohil, Lion Josna Ramji (Bushby Lions Club), Lion David Cox (Birmingham Chinatown), Lion Femi Onabolu (Castle Bromwich & District Lions Club), Lion Martin Bye (Knowle & Dorridge Lions Club). The funds received from the Gala Ball were sent to Campaign Sightfirst II.

Auctioneer: Jeremy Thornton

Comedian Don MaClean in Action

DG Suresh receiving Banner & MJF Medal from PID Jay Patel

Ex Leo Pushpanjali Gohil receiving MJF from PID Jay Patel & DG Suresh Gohil

Lion Josna Ramji receiving special recognition Certificate

Lion Femi Onabolu receiving International President Appreciation Certificate

Lion John & Pauline Price

Lion Josna Ramji, PID Jay Patel, PDG Harry Hunjan & DG Suresh Gohil

Lion Mahesh & his wife Jyotika Pandya presenting cheque of £560

Lion Martin Bye receiving International President Appreciation Certificate

Lion President David Cox receiving special recognition Certificate

Lion President Maureen Kendall & Keith

Lion Shabir Ibrahim & Lion Sabina presenting cheque of £560

Lions & Friends at Clarendon Suite

PDG Harry Hunjan receiving special recognition Certificate & Banner from PID Jay Patel

PDG John Bush & Jill

Over 80% of the Clubs in the District had contributed to the Campaign Sightfirst II. The District had 8 Model Clubs.

DG Andy Pemberton thanking IPDG Suresh Gohil

IPDG Suresh Gohil passing the Chain to DG Andy Pemberton

Past, Present, Future- IPDG Suresh Gohil, DG Andy Pemberton & VDG Femi Onabolu

DG Andy Pemberton thanking IPDG Suresh Gohil

IPDG Suresh Gohil passing the Chain to DG Andy Pemberton

Certificate:

Geoff Thompson- District Leo Club Chairperson, Rajnikant Hindocha- Diabetes Awareness, Eric Hughes- Lions Opportunities for Youth Chairperson, Roger Handcock- Hearing & Speech Action And Work With the Deaf.

Bert Mason Humanitarian Award:

Lion Harry Fry

Campaign Sightfirst II Committee -PMJF to follow:

Lion Harcharan Hunjan, Lion David Cox, Lion Femi Onabolu, Lion Andy Luckett.

Campaign Sightfirst II Committee MJF:

Lion Josna Ramji, Lion Martin Bye, Lion Maureen Kendall.

Individual MJF:

Lion Heather Hill, Diane MacKie

Individual PMJF:

Lion Ron Cross, Lion Doug Cross.

Club MJF:

Shirley LC-Martin Conlon, Bromsgrove LC-Terry White, Corby LC Mahesh Karsandas, Southam & District-Malcolm Jakeway, Bushby LC-Ashwin Topiwala, Aldridge & District LC-Tony Shepherd, Knowle & Dorridge LC-John Heard.

Club PMJF:

Wolverhampton LC-Trevor Jones, Kingswinford & Stourbridge LC-Arthur R Peakman

Lion Eric Hughes receiving Youth Certificate from DG Andy

Lion Geoff Thompson receiving Special Leo Appreciation Certificate

Lion President Martin Conlon, Lion President David Cox, Lion President Terry White, Lion Chri MaKie, VDG Femi Onabolu, PDG Dough Cross, Lion Martin Bye-recipients of MJF and PMJF

Winner of Fellowship Trophy: RC Neil Chisholm receiving Trophy (Warwick Lions Club) & Runners Up: Femi & Tony White