Charities

The Warwick Lions

Since 1917, Lions have served the world's population through hard work and commitment to make a difference in the lives of people everywhere. With 1.4 million members serving in more than 44,600 clubs in 189 countries and geographical areas, Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization. Lions are recognized worldwide for their service to the blind and visually impaired.

The Warwick Lions are people who use their spare time to get involved with worthwhile activities - both fund raising and voluntary work. That is not all; Fun and Fellowship are also part of the Clubs activities.

There aim is to serve the Community and have fun doing it. Each month there are two Meetings and sometimes a Social Event, as all work and no play may stop the Lions Roaring!

The Warwick Lions Club takes part in several events during the year:

Warwick Carnival, Warwick Town Firework Display, Carols at the Castle, Race Day at Warwick Racecourse, Tin Shakes, Lions Cake Stall, Car Boot Fairs, Easter Egg Draws, Sponsored Canal Walk.

90% of the money raised is spent locally, helping individuals and families with needs such as a pushchair, school uniforms, a cot, and furniture.

Later this year the Warwick Lions are providing funding and transport to enable some partially sighted local people to go on holiday in Norfolk.

Rotary UK

The world's first service club was founded on 23 February 1905 when lawyer Paul Harris and three friends met in a small office in downtown Chicago. These men wanted to rekindle in the turn-of-the-century city the spirit of friendliness they had known in their home towns. Word of the club soon spread and others were invited to join. They named their new club “Rotary” to describe the practice of meeting in rotation at the members' various places of business.

 

The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is a not-for-profit corporation that promotes world understanding and peace through international humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs.

 

The Rotary Foundation is supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and others who share its vision of a better world. Contributions to the Foundation's Annual Programs Fund are invested for three years, with interest being used to cover all administrative costs. Fully 100 percent of every dollar donated supports program expenditures three years later. Gifts to the Foundation's Permanent Fund are invested, with only the earnings being used to support programs.

 

The Friends of St Mary’s Choir

The Friends of St Mary’s Choir was formed over 25 years ago to provide assistance to the St Mary’s Choir in whatever ways possible. Through its fund-raising activities, the Friends help with the expenses of the choir, and they have contributed to the costs of numerous choir tours in the UK and around the world, have helped with the provision of robes for the choir, and have commissioned music to be composed for the choir and recordings to be made. In addition to their financial support, the Friends provide assistance for the choir by providing refreshments during long rehearsals, organising social events for the boys to help develop team spirit, and providing stewards and refreshments at choir concerts.

When St Mary’s Girls’ Choir was founded, the Friends of St Mary’s Girls’ Choir was established as a voluntary fund-raising organisation whose aim is to support all activities involving the girls' choir. In 2006, the Friends of St Mary’s Choir and the Friends of St Mary’s Girls’ Choir amalgamated to form one unified organisation which aims to arouse, develop and maintain the interest of the public in the choirs of St Mary’s, Warwick, including St Mary’s Choir, St Mary’s Girls’ Choir, and St Mary’s Colts’ Choir, and to raise and provide funds for furthering the work of the choirs.

Funds are raised by annual membership subscription, social evenings, raffles and personal donations. The chairman and his/her committee are elected at an Annual General Meeting, and comprise chorister parents together with active supporters from within the congregation and parish of St Mary’s.