A slew of fundraising events put on in the last year has helped Honiton and District Lions Club raise £10,000 for good causes.

The club held a number of successful fundraisers between July 1, 2017 and June 30 this year.

The most finanicially significant was the club’s annual duck race - which sees thousands of rubber ducks jostle their way down the River Otter.

This year’s duck race was held last Thursday (August 16) after a weekend of heavy rain forced organisers to postpone it.

Other key fundraisers held in the annual period inclde a catering stall put on at the popular tar barrel event in Ottery St Mary last November, and Easter egg raffles and book sales held at venues across Honiton.

David Rickard, Honiton Lion, said: “The money raised from these and other events enabled the club to make 38 donations to charities and good causes.

“The main beneficiaries were Honiton’s Admiral Nurse appeal (£1,500), Axminster-based charity The Project (£1,330), Coleridge Medical Centre in Ottery St Mary (£1,250 to provide an ECG machine) and the British Heart Foundation (£1,000).

“Another three good causes each received £500.”

As well as holding fundraisers each year, the Lions club manages a spectacle collection, which sees people’s old specs sent to third world countries.

Mr Rickard added: “In the last year, we sent approximately 5,000 spectacle to Chichester Lions, who arrange for them to be graded before being transferred to third world countries.

“Social activities has also featured in the club’s events.

“In May, the club celebrated its 41st Charter Anniversary at the Tumbling Weir, which was attended by 55 Lions - many representing neighbouring clubs.

“At the end of last month, the club held its change-over dinner at the Sidmouth Arms in Upottery, where Jamie Love was installed as president.

“He succeeds John Ward, who held the post during the year 2017/18.”

Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organisation with 1.3 million members in approximately 45,000 clubs in 205 countries.

Lions are men and women who volunteer their time for humanitarian causes.

For more information about Honiton and District Lions Club, visit www.honitonlions.org.uk