At what has become an annual fixture, over 90 guests recently sat down to enjoy the Morpeth Lions Club Chinese Charity Banquet at the Mulan Restaurant in Morpeth.

This event originally started just after the 2008 floods that had affected the then recently opened restaurant. In a gesture of sympathy for all those more drastically affected the owner Kevin Liu allowed two fundraising banquets to take place; these raised over £2000.

Over the years the Lions Club has been able to hold banquets to raise funds for its many Christmas activities and the Lion President’s designated charity. This year Lion President, Margaret Trewick, has chosen The North East Visually Impaired Tennis Club as her charity. Such is the popularity of the evenings that organisers Lions Les Sage and David Armstrong had little difficulty in selling the tickets.

During the evening, Margaret’s son Steven, who is himself registered blind and one of only five coaches in the UK, explained how the Club operates and how blind participants with the aid of rattling balls and raised court lines can enjoy this activity. If you would like to find out more about the Trust, please telephone 0191 2815858 or Email play@nevitc.org.uk

Lion President Margaret said ‘The Morpeth Lions Club thanks everyone who has been involved in this wonderful evening – our guests for supporting us, Mulan and its staff for the excellent food and service, the businesses and individuals who so generously donated raffle prizes and Lions Les and David for organising the event. I am delighted to be able to present a cheque for £500 to the Tennis Club from this evening’s event.’

Many of the guests are already looking forward to next year’s event!