GENEROUS fundraisers from York’s Lions clubs have donated £500 to relief efforts in the Philippines after the devastating typhoon which hit the islands.

The York group’s donation is part of £200,000 pledged by Lions clubs across the UK and Ireland, which will fund 1,000 water filtration systems to provide 20 million litres of sterile water for drinking and medical use.

York Lions’ publicity member Peter Jesse said the club regularly fundraises all through the year, and makes donations to local good causes.

“We have just finished our annual house-to-house appeal. We leaflet homes before we go, so people know who we are, and we raise between £3,000 and £4,000.”

The club also holds two fundraising events at St Crux Parish Hall each year, and runs the tea bar at York Magistrate’s Court putting all the profits towards its charitable funds.

Every year it gives out dozens of small grants to local organisations.

“With the Lions, we often find that a little money goes a long way,” president Barry Brookes said.

In 2013, the club, which has about 20 members, has given donations to York Hospital Radio, the Samaritans, the York branch of the Alzheimers Society, Hearing Dogs For Deaf People, the Gateway Club, and York CVS.

They also answers calls for help from groups like the Scouts and Guides locally, often giving them the cash they need to buy new equipment, and support international charity Water Aid which campaigns for clean water access.

“Every day, 8,000 children across the world die from dirty water, and I think that is quite a shocking statistic,” Mr Brookes added.

The cash for the Philippines appeal will be added to the £310,000 which was given immediately by Lions clubs in South-East Asia when the disaster hit in November. Lions Clubs in the area, including four in Cebu and one in the disaster epicentre of Tacloban, were already helping those affected by November’s major earthquake in nearby Bohol, when the typhoon hit.