A COMMUNITY organisation has donated almost twenty two thousand pound to local charities and public services to support them during the coronavirus lockdown.

Darlington Lions Club used their funds to assist local charities and national services to help aid them to continue undergoing essential work throughout the pandemic.

A impressive £6500 was donated to NHS Darlington whilst the remainder of the funds was distributed between Darlington Food Bank, Darlington Age Concern, Darlington Samaritans, Darlington Association on Disability, St. Teresa's Hospice and Family Help Darlington CIO.

North East children's charity Heel & Toe, Darlington Support Group and Citizens Advice Bureau were also awarded funding to continue their work.

The club has also joined up with Teesdale Lions and the Northallerton Lions Clubs to donate £150 towards the cost of a "buggypod", a side seat for pushchairs, for a five year old Catterick boy who has recently left Newcastle Hospital after a nine month stay where he received a double lung transplant. The pod will attach to his wheelchair so with his two year old brother they can go for walks and share experiences together.

Darlington Lions Club bookshop in Blackwellgate Darlington currently remains closed but the group said it hopes to open soon.