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Emergency Assistance

Tsunami Appeal

The world was shocked by this huge disaster that devastated a number of Asian countries and resulted in destruction, death and injury.

Lions Clubs in Australia have topped the $1m in funds raised from the public for tsunami relief.

Around $850,000 has come directly from initiatives which most of the 1,400 Lions Clubs throughout the country have organised in their own local communities. The balance has been contributed direct to special appeal bank accounts set up by Lions at NAB and Westpac.

"The generosity shown by Australians has simply been overwhelming" said Tony Roney, National Chairman of Lions Australia.

"However, money is only initial response to this tragedy. What will be needed is ongoing support in the countries devastated. That's why Lions, which has a long history of disaster relief and filling the gaps not covered by other relief agencies, is now moving to mobilise its 73,000 members in the hardest hit regions of India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. They are now becoming a significant resource to assist with local authorities."

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The funds raised will be distributed to the affected countries by the charitable arm of Lions. Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF).

LCIF has pledged US$5m to tsunami relief. Half of this is coming from reserves and the other half is what is expected to come from Lions clubs around the world, including Australia. Lions organisations in other countries that have made large contributions include Ireland, Sweden and Japan.

Our Club responded to this tragedy by having a collection in the shopping centre, the response to this appeal was over whelming, and the appeal was also supported by the Lara Sporting Club, Lara Fire Brigade, St Laurence Residents Chapel Fund, St Laurence Staff, Lara Uniting Church, and by all these efforts we have forwarded $17,979.20 to Lions International.

To all those who helped achieve this huge sum many thanks, and this would have be our greatest achievement this year, well done every body. To date Lions money has already been spent on buildings, this has been achieved as a result of having established Lions Clubs in the affected areas.

Thank you Lara Residents