Morpeth Lions put forward for floods honour

Sep 29 2009 by David Black, The Journal

A COMMUNITY service group which spearheaded the massive relief effort in the wake of last year’s devastating Morpeth floods has been put forward for a royal honour.

Morpeth Lions Club – which was at the forefront of grassroots aid and recovery work following September’s catastrophe in the Northumberland town – has been nominated for the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

The honour, which is the equivalent of an MBE and sets the national benchmark for excellence in volunteering, is given for outstanding service to the community by voluntary groups or organisations.

Morpeth Lions Club, which was established in the 1970s and has almost 30 members, has been nominated for the award by Northumberland County Council.

It is in recognition of its sterling work following the floods, which left 1,000 Morpeth homes and businesses under water, and its wider efforts to support needy causes in the area.

A group of Lions members took centre stage immediately after the disaster on September 6 last year, launching a Flood Victims Appeal Fund, which went on to raise £208,000 in emergency financial help for flooded families.