40-years with Lions a life-changer for Clive

Charlie Bethune, president of the Woodville Lions, left, with Clive Boyden (centre) who was presented with his 40-year badge by past district governor Russell Hughes (right). Photo Christine McKay

Joining the Woodville Lions Club 40 years ago was a life-changer, Clive Boyden says, and being presented with his 40-year badge was a thrill, but he has no idea where those 40 years have gone.

"For me, joining the Lions Club was a chance to meet like-minded people and work on projects which ultimately helped those less fortunate," he told the Dannevirke News.

There have been huge highlights in those 40 years, including being awarded a Queen's Service Medal in the 2015 New Year's honours, recognising the work he had put into the club's Coast to Coast motorcycle ride - run now for 26 years - and the now defunct Gorge Track and Tunnel Walk. These were ventures which have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities and the Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter and Arohanui Hospice.

Clive Boyden, right, leads the 350 motorcycles into Woodville, halfway through the 2017 Woodville Lions Coast to Coast event.

"Knowing what I do now, if someone had asked me to organise these events now I'd run a mile," Boyden said.

But there have also been the low times, he admitted, especially when the Gorge Track and Tunnel Walk was derailed in 2016 when KiwiRail refused to allow the Lions to run the event, citing safety concerns. In 21 years more than 20,000 people had walked the line from Woodville to Ashhurst, with the Lions Club raising more than $300,000 for charity.

"We used to pour a lot of money into the Palmerston North Arohanui Hospice as in latter years we'd net $30,000 from the walk, with $10,000 going to the hospice every year and the other $20,000 to organisations around town," Boyden said. "Everyone was a winner, people taking part in the walk got their money's worth, we all enjoyed running the event and of course the organisations who received the proceeds. Sadly, I don't think we'll ever see the Track and Tunnel Walk back, which is a shame as it was something very unique."

Fundraising has become more difficult now with everyone chasing the same dollar.

"Over 40 years we have been shut down on a number of fundraisers," Boyden said. "It seems the authorities don't want people to have fun. We had the raft race down the Manawatu River, trail bike rides and 4x4 rallies, they were all good things, now gone."

But despite the disappointments, Boyden said the Woodville Lions Club has been a very big part of his life which he's enjoyed.

"It gives you a whole different perspective on life."

Fellow Lions Club members Peter Bonser and Peter Horne received their 20-year and 10-year badges respectively at the same ceremony.