Lions assist Whitby InterActive

Photo: left to right – Lion Chris Roe, Sally Sansom (InterActive), Lion Sally Christmas. Lion Bob Stevens, Helen Panconi (InterActive), Lion Neville Marsey.

Whitby District Lions were able to assist InterActive in sending twelve local young people with disabilities on an adventure weekend.

InterActive has been running this special weekend away for several years now but the original funding for this activity had ended. Whitby District Lions stepped in and donated £1,200 to ensure that it would continue for at least one more year. This is in line with the Club’s main purpose, to spend the monies raised throughout the year, within the local community. The aim is to raise and distribute £12 to £15,000 a year and upwards of twenty local clubs, associations and individuals have benefited from our efforts in 2016.

Whitby Lions have several fund raising events throughout the year, the main events are the boxing day dip and the beer festival but there are other smaller events running throughout the year. This year we are organizing a new event; a fun Charity Rainbow Paint Run on the beach in which all the participants end up covered in powder paint whilst having a 4k run up and down the beach!

As well as all this we supply, insure and maintain a fleet of ten mobility scooters and loan these out to local people to assist in their everyday life.

InterActive specialises in giving inclusion opportunities to youngsters with disabilities and special needs. In addition to the activity weekend and a youth club, they run regular weekend and holiday activities and outings for disabled children and young people aged 5 to 25, providing the opportunity to learn new skills, enjoy new experiences and to take part in activities that other young people of their age take for granted.

InterActive also supports family members, providing the opportunity for parents, carers and families to come together and share the joys and frustrations of caring for a disabled child.