ROBIN Drake and Alan Jellyman, trustees for The Band Aid Box Charitable Trust, recently cemented a new relationship with Lions Clubs International.
Together, they will further develop the Trust's aid programme in Eye Surgery and vision correction The relationship was sealed at the Lions District 202D Convention held last weekend in Opunake, when Lions from throughout Taranaki, Wanganui and Manawatu agreed to support The Band Aid Box.
Lions District Governor, Ray Lawrence, presented Robin and Alan with a cheque for $3,500 to assist the trust.
"It is about building relationships and helping put into practice causes that Lions International is passionate about. It is locally donated money which is being taken directly to those who need it most," said Mr Lawerence.
The Band Aid Box team is currently in last minute preparations for their fourth trip to the remote Nepalese village, KhariKhola, where they host health clinics for local villagers.
Volunteers from New Zealand and Nepalese health professionals work together to provide services, which this year include ophthalmic work, dental care and paediatric and gynaecological assistance.
Medical care is usually inaccessible to the villagers, who have to walk for more than two days to any sort of health care if they are able.
The support from Lions has helped fund the ophthalmic work for the 2008 clinic.
The Band Aid Box team leave on April 5 for their latest expedition, and trekkers led by Alan Jellyman will accompany them to Nepal, each one taking a 10-12kg load of supplies for the health clinics.
"It is a huge privilege and honour to have a solid relationship with such a highly recognised international organisation. The Band Aid Box trustees are extremely grateful to Lions District 202D. Thanks to the effort and determination of Lions, they will help restore the sight of impoverished villagers in the KhariKhola region.
"Coupled with that, they will be assisting the legacy of Sir Edmund Hillary and the work that was his dream," said trustee Robin Drake.
A partnership is also being established between Taranaki, Manawatu and Wanganui Lions and District 325A Lions in Kathmandu, Nepal.
This partnership will enable an application to be made to Lions Club International Foundation for an International Assistance Grant.
If given the grant, it would mean continued assistance from Lions Campaign Sight First II Programme to the Band Aid Box and the opportunity to receive a dollar-for-dollar subsidy by the foundation for every dollar raised in the New Zealand district.
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