Life with the Lions
June/July
saw 12 children from the Ukraine
visiting Billericay. This is an annual event organised by Billericay
Chernobyl
Children Life Line. http://www.bccll.co.uk/. The
charity
arranges a 4 week visit for children aged 10–12, from less
privileged families,
affected by the fallout of the Chernobyl
nuclear disaster 20 years ago. This trip together with the quality of
nourishment and care that they receive here, significantly boosts their
immune
system. As part of the 4 week program, Lions take the children to the Adventure Island theme park in Southend
for a
day. 
This year, as my wife and I were
hosting 2 of the children, I decided to take a day of work and go along. Well, the phrase 18 year old head on 50 year
old body springs to mind. Encouraged by the sound of 12 screaming
children
saying, “Come Nick let go on this one” I went vertically
up, over the top, and
then, Arghh! vertically down again. I spun, went upside down, I got
wet; but,
aches and all, I would not have missed it for the world.
In
September a slightly different but equally challenging event is the
senior
citizens concert party that Lions arrange at the Mayflower School.
The audience arrange their own transport to the event and the Lions
members
provide transport home for those who live locally.
Lions don’t actually perform; we find acts
to do that you will be pleased to hear. However
serving 200 teas, coffees and cakes during a 15 minute interval
to a
seated audience who know exactly what they want – which is
generally not what
is on the plate that you have prepared – resulting in a rapid
round of ‘speed swapsies’
between the servers before
the next act starts. Still it is all good fun and rewarding to. Phew!!!