Filey Lions helping nearly 100 Filey residents every week in lockdown

Filey Lions leafleted every house in the town last month to let people know they could be called on for support if they were vulnerable or self-isolating.

In the last five weeks, they have had nearly 500 call-outs.

Filey Lions President John Casey said: “We didn’t know what to expect because we’ve never come across anything like this before.

“When we first started, it was me and my wife Brenda but we soon realised that we were going to be so busy, we would need some sort of rota.”

Eight of the Lions’ members and their partners now take it in turns to answer calls for help, using the group’s bus.

They operate seven days a week

Usually, Mr Casey said, they are asked to carry out shopping or help with dropping off or picking up prescriptions.

“Our local Tesco have been great in that they allow Lions on bus duty to enter the store without queuing, thereby freeing up our time to help more people,” he said.

“We’ve come across some really vulnerable people who we have been able to refer to social services or Age Concern.

“It has been time-consuming but it’s rewarding. It’s hard work but we’re really enjoying it.

“We’ll continue to do it for as long as the lockdown continues.

“We’re ready and poised to help.”

Filey Lions have also donated PPE equipment to Scarborough Hospital and plans to provide more to all of the care homes in its district.

The group is part of Lions International - the largest volunteer group in the world.

In Filey, it has 34 members who raise money for local and international causes.

The Lions are on hand to help with shopping, prescriptions, posting letters or friendly phone calls.

Anyone who lives in Filey who needs their support can call them on 07493 475865. For more information visit www.fileylionsclub.org.

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