Ringwood & Fordingbridge Lions Club, inspired by the cosy Icelandic tradition of Jólabókaflóðið, will be encouraging everyone to pick up a free pre-loved book for Christmas in exchange for a donation towards their Christmas Charities, including Wessex Cancer Support and Lifelites. They can be found outside the Meeting House in Ringwood Town Centre on the morning of Saturday 20th December. For those younger members of our community, Santa will be present to help the Lions Club spread Christmas Cheer to all in town that morning.
Wessex Cancer Support offer free and local emotional and well-being services to anyone affected by cancer in Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight. Lifelites provide cutting-edge assistive and sensory technology, specialist training, and full maintenance support to children’s palliative care services throughout Britain and Ireland.
Jólabókaflóð, or the Christmas Book Flood, is a unique Icelandic tradition which results in the giving and receiving of books on Christmas Eve, where families often spend the evening reading together. The tradition dates back to World War II, when imported gifts were scarce, but paper was not rationed, leading to a cultural emphasis on books as gifts.
Lions Club President Alastair Ward commented, “Wessex Cancer Support & Lifelites are two amazing charities that offer so much to so many, and we are proud to support them this Christmas. At the same time, we’re offering everyone in our community the opportunity to settle down with, or gift to others, a great book this Christmas, courtesy of our Lions Club”.
Ringwood & Fordingbridge Lions Club meet on the second Thursday of every month at The Trinity Centre in Ringwood. They are one of over 46,000 clubs operating around the world that volunteer their time in fun and friendship. Anyone wishing to find out more about what they do, or who wishes to help in their activities, can find out more from their website (www.randflions.org.uk) or call them on 0845 8335819.
