Southport Lions and supporters create 500 food hampers to support local community

Southport Lions and their supporters have enjoyed a busy week sourcing and packing 500 food hampers to support local families this Christmas. 

The Lions spend all year raising funds to support their feelgood festive operation.

They work with a range of organisations to ensure that hampers are delivered to people who need help at this time of year. 

The initiative costs £12,000, thanks to income through the Lions’ charity shop in Ainsdale Village, plus £4,000 from Southport Hesketh Round Table. 

Several local farmers also come forward every year to kindly donate huge quantities of fresh fruit and vegetables, including potatoes, carrots, apples and satsumas. 

The need for support from struggling families at Christmas continues to rise year on year, from 80 hampers a couple of decades ago to 500 now. 

The packing has been taking place at Southport Synagogue on Arnside Road in Southport with the Lions supported by volunteers from Southport College, KGV Sixth Form College, Southport & Formby Home Start and others. 

Hampers are being given to families in conjunction with groups such as the Light For Life homeless charity; Southport Family Wellbeing Centre; Farnborough Road Children’s Centre; Macmillan Information and Support Centre; Parenting 2000; Woodvale Community Centre; Newstart Homes; Sefton Council Social Services; local schools; and more. 

Southport Lions President Geoff Ryan said:

“We’ve had a very busy couple of days, creating 500 food hampers for local families who need our support this Christmas. 

“We create them on behalf of a range of local organisations; family centres, charities, schools and others. 

“We have around 20 of us in Southport Lions, but we also work with volunteers from elsewhere including Southport Hesketh Round Table, Southport College and KGV Sixth Form College.

“Southport Hesketh Round Table have been going out with their Santa Sleigh around Southport during December, accepting donations where they go. This is where some of the money they raise goes to. When you’re donating to them, you’re making a real difference to your local community. 

“We’re very grateful to everyone at Southport Synagogue for allowing us the free use of their facilities to put this all together. 

“We have been doing this for 44 years now! We look forward to it every year, but the need for hampers gets greater all the time. 

“A couple of decades ago we were putting 80 hampers together at Christmas, now it’s 500. Referrals keep coming in. 

“This is a massive operation. It costs £12,000 to put everything together. That sum includes a very kind £4,000 donation through Southport Hesketh Round Table.”

Retired farmer Tom Cropper has been among people putting together the food hampers. 

He said:

“Farmers in this area have been proud to support the Southport Lions Christmas Hampers operation for over 30 years, in all kinds of ways. 

“Colin Sephton, from G & CJ Potato Merchants in Ormskirk, donated loads of potatoes. 

“Huntapac Produce in Tarleton, the second biggest carrot growers in the country, have provided lots of carrots. 

“Patrick and Anthony O’Malley from Nationwide Produce, based on Lord Street in Southport, have kindly brought in generous amounts of apples and satsumas. 

“McKean & Sons Transport in Tarleton has stepped in to provide the transportation needed to deliver so much fruit and veg. 

“This kindness among the local farming community has carried on through generations of families. 

“We all want to do what we can to support families in Southport at Christmas.” 

Much of the money raised to support the Christmas Hampers appeal comes through takings via the Southport Lions charity shop in Ainsdale Village, while the Lions also operate a charity furniture store nearby. 

Geoff Ryan said:

“We’re very grateful to everyone who has been in to visit and buy things at our shop this year. This is the work that it supports. 

“We get lots of appeals for help through our furniture store throughout the year, for all kinds of things such as beds, white goods, mattresses. We do what we can. 

“We are always looking for new members! If anyone would love to come along or get in touch and find out more about what we do, we’d be delighted to speak to you and answer any questions.”

Southport Lions Club is one of 46,000 Lions Clubs across the world. 

With over 1.3 million members, in 2028 countries and territories, Lions Club International is the world’s largest voluntary service organisation. 

The Southport Lions shop is based at: 664 Liverpool Road, Ainsdale, Southport. For more information email: mail@thelionsshop.info

Find out more about the Southport Lions here.

Find all the latest Southport news here.