Lions Club of Tavistock
News Archive

The Young Ambassador scheme started in 2023 with two boys, Sam and Harry, and two girls Courtney and Mary. In 2024, there were no fewer than 10, all of them girls! The Young Ambassadors, who are Year 6, are given many opportunities to become involved in Lions' activities.

Therese Frattaroli, the Lions Youth Officer, said the girls have been absolutely brilliant. ‘They have involved themselves in so many different activities during 2024. They designed their T-shirts, they helped us deliver programmes for the Carnival, they supported us on Fun Day at the Dog Show and Craft Tent, they presented prizes and created their own entry for the carnival procession – The Wizard of Oz.' Later on in the year, they helped deliver Christmas leaflets, sold LED light sticks at the Fireworks display, raising £120 for the Youth Café, they helped at Remembrance Sunday by collecting the orders of service and joining the President in laying the wreath. They made some of the lions on our Christmas tree in the St Eustachius festival and gave out hymn sheets at the switch on of the Trees of Light. They delivered cards as part of the Christmas Post, but perhaps their biggest undertaking was their stall on the Square where they decided they would like to raise money for the RSPCA. With their tombola, lucky dip and ‘name the bear’, they raised nearly £200. They have also learned about some of the less exciting things of fundraising such as how to ask permission for a stall on the Square, what a risk assessment entails and how to contact a charity like the RSPCA. Next term we shall be looking at how all their efforts can qualify for a prestigious Lions’ award the young leaders in service. And then we will be thinking about our next year’s intake!

Therese said that the girls seem to have really enjoyed the experience. George said ‘It’s amazing and it’s fun!’   Honey said "I liked the ambassadors because I got to do things like be in the carnival and help my local charity " while Rosie who, with Emelia is always the first person to volunteer for anything, said she liked meeting new people from different schools.  Alan Wroath, President, said that an important part of the idea was that the team should decide what they wanted to do and how they would like to do it. ‘It’s been wonderful to watch the girls grow and mature.’ Parents too commented they had seen a difference in the girls. Georgia’s mum said ‘I think it's taught them all about the importance of community and has given them a sense of responsibility. It's helped with transition into secondary school too, as they've made new friends they didn't know before. Rosie’s mother felt that it gave Rosie some independence and she got to help raise money for the community. Kelsey’s mother said “From a parent's point I think the experience for the girls is an amazing opportunity.”

So if you are in Year 6, when we are looking for girls AND boys in 2025 to be Young Ambassadors, why not put your name forward?

It is always such a highlight to present cheques, and in 2024 we handed over £2,500 from the Trees of Light to each of the Charities below. All of them do such a great job in their different fields:

Plymouth and Cornwall Cancer Fund.

Tavistock Area Support Service

Parkinsons UK (Tavistock Group )

St Luke’s Hospice.

It was your support that made it possible.  The photo shows recipients with Lions’ President Graeme Ugle, John Noblet who organised the Trees of Light and Brenda Moyse, Community Service Chair.