Lions step in to save the day
Last week the Havering Daily featured the sad story of Jennifer Layton and her stolen bike.
Jennifer from Dagenham had visited Romford on a shopping trip with her sister when her precious bike was stolen from outside the NatWest bank in South Street.
Jennifer told the Havering Daily that her bike had been her ‘whole life’, her only method of transportation as she can not afford any other method and most importantly her only was of getting to work.
The theft of her bike had left Jennifer heartbroken as she had used her bike not just to get around but also to raise money for charities doing bike rides like the London to Brighton to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.
We are pleased to say that this story has a happy ending thanks to the Romford Lions Club.
The Lions heard of Jennifer’s predicament and stepped in to save the day. President of the Lions Club Brian Phillips heard about Jennifer’s urgent need for a new bike and immediately stepped in to help her out.
Brian told the Havering Daily:
“We heard about Jennifer’s urgent need for a bike after hers was stolen and we were happy to step in and help her.”
Lion Brian had a friend with a brand new bike that he did not want anymore so decided to raise money with the help of fellow Lions to buy this bike and donate it to Jennifer.
“My friend was willing to sell the bike and we were happy to buy the bike and between us we took the bike down over the weekend to deliver it to Jennifer”.
“We were so pleased to be able to help out and the money we raised was a gift in need from the Lions to Jennifer that was a very worth while cause”.
Jennifer was so moved by the arrival of her new bike that she was reduced to tears. She told the Havering Daily:
“The guys from the Lions club were truly amazing, I can’t thank them enough for not only providing me with a new bike but also delivering it to me.
“It is one of the nicest gestures I’ve ever had and it has restored my Faith in humanity. They have given me my lifeline back and I can’t thank them enough.
“The bike is perfect, I rode it to work yesterday and it is even better than my old one. I’m so touched by their generosity, I’ve had a really difficult few weeks and this has been amazing”.
The Lions Club has been in Romford for 54 years and dedicates its time to raising money for local charities and people in need. The Lions are the biggest service organisation in the world with 1.8 million members in over 200 countries.
Here in Romford the Lions have raised over the years over £1 million with the main emphasis being on local causes in Havering.
President of the club Brian finished:
“We were absolutely delighted to be able to help Jennifer out. She was a very worthwhile beneficiary”.
The Havering Daily set up a go fund me page where readers have kindly donated. This money will be given to Jennifer to buy additional features for her bike. Thank you to all of you who donated.
