A DONATION to a charity helping victims of the Haiti earthquake disaster is just one of many grants that will be given away by fundraising group the Dursley Lions this year.

In their latest round of donations charities from as far away as Ghana and as close to home as Frenchay will be receiving money out of their current total of £2,700.

Welfare committee chairman Bill Sweet announced at the Lions' last meeting that a donation of £1,000 would be given to HCBT, a pilgrimage trust that takes disabled children to Lourdes in Easter.

The group will be funding some goats in Ghana as well as supporting two teachers at a school in the African country.

Mr Sweet said that the Lions would be sending £500 to the Independence Trust, which aids people with social problems and they are soon to give a donation to Quedgeley-based Rapid UK, a team of volunteers who have saved lives in Port au Prince and other areas suffering in the wake of the Haiti earthquake.

At their last meeting Lions president Adrian Hutchings also presented Shaun McCarthy, fundraising manager of BRAMS (Bristol and Avon Multiple Sclerosis group), with a cheque for £650.

The money could be used to provide more seating for patients at Frenchay Hospital's specialist unit or for a small television to provide information to patients while waiting or a new adjustable bed.

The Lions were told how the specialist MS unit at Frenchay, which is known worldwide for its research into the condition, was been set up just over a year ago and already needed to expand.

"The unit has a leading team of doctors and nurses working with MS patients. There are six different drug trials now going on aimed at helping people with MS," said Mr McCarthy.

The Lions club raise money through various events including the annual Frocester Beer Festival and from their weekly furniture sales, held at the Lions Den in May Lane, Dursley, every Saturday morning from 8.30am to 11.30am.