The Lions Club of Pāpāmoa are asking locals to get behind their efforts to help support people affected by the war in Ukraine at their first market day in May.

The club has already given a donation some weeks ago to the Lions Clubs International Foundation which ensures that all funds go direct to the people needing it in Ukraine.

'We have now also decided to donate all donations and Lions profits from the first Lions Market at the Gordon Spratt Reserve on Sunday, May 8,” says Pāpāmoa Lions member Margaret Brasting.

'Like most of New Zealand and people across the world the members of the Lions Club of Pāpāmoa are horrified when we see the news of the war in Ukraine and the Humanitarian disaster that is happening to innocent people – especially children.

'What we have also realised is that most of the people in New Zealand do not know that Lions Clubs across the world are supporting the aid effort through the Lions Clubs International Foundation – and that 100 per cent of all donations goes to the humanitarian need.”

Lions Clubs International Foundation – LCIF – is running a worldwide appeal though their Refugees and Displaced Persons Fund. LCIF is actively collecting donations through all the thousands of Lions Clubs around the globe to help ensure that Lions based in Ukraine can help people there find the safety and security they desperately need.

LCIF is awarding grants to Lions clubs supporting Ukrainian refugees who have crossed their borders, and 100 per cent of all donations made will be placed in the fund.

Lions' members in Ukraine have also received LCIF grants to address the critical needs of people who remain in the country.

Grant funding will enable Lions to purchase and distribute immediate relief items, such as food, clothing, hygiene supplies, sleeping bags and medicine.

The Pāpāmoa Lions Market, which has been running since 2001, is held on the second and fourth Sunday of each month and raises funds for the locally community.

The market features up to 200 stalls ranging from food, crafts, plants, produce, sporting goods, clothing and bric-a-brac.

Profits from the markets go to where they are needed most, locally and around the world.

'As Lions we believe this May market is not about Lions having a market or that our local club has already made a donation, - it is about the fact that 100 per cent of all Lions profits and public donations will get to the people of the Ukraine where support is desperately needed,” says Margaret.

'This is an opportunity for local people to join us and give a dollar or two that will combine to a much larger amount and make a difference to the people of Ukraine.”

The Pāpāmoa Lions Market is held at the Gordon Spratt Reserve on the second and fourth Sunday of each month from 8am – 12pm.

The special fundraiser market for Ukraine will be held on Sunday, May 8.

Anyone interested in having a stall please phone (07) 808 0832 or email papamoa@lionsclubs.org.nz