OTLEY Lions are celebrating a successful year of support and fundraising – and looking forward to continuing the good work in 2015.

With takings still coming in, the total is yet to be announced, but the club’s variety of events in 2014 look certain to have raised thousands for a variety of good causes.

Book sales, tombolas, and pot-shy stalls at agricultural shows have all helped bring in the money, with Santa visits and sleigh rides set as always to deliver a final end-of-year boost.

The Lions also benefited this year from business support and some new events.

Publicity officer Patrick McCauley said: “The Original Factory Shop again chose us as the store’s charity of the year and the Lions are very grateful for their support.

“Moreover, we are very proud to have been chosen as Sainsbury’s charity of the year too.

“Throughout the year money has been raised through our bookshop in Mercury Row, and two new initiatives arose in 2014.

“First, we ran a race night, with the equipment provided by our colleagues from the Keighley Lions. And then a charity auction was held at Otley Rugby Club, with the proceeds going to this year’s President’s Project, Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

“We would like to thank all citizens and businesses who have provided financial and operational support – the club simply couldn’t function without you.”

The club’s work included supporting the Doncaster Fun and Sports Day, by transporting 11 young people with disabilities and their helpers to the event.

It also teamed up with other Lions groups to arrange a holiday for young people from Germany, hosting their trip to the National Railway Museum.

And members supported the Chernobyl Children’s Project again by running a trip for a group of children to the Yorkshire Wildlife Park.

The Otley Lions bookshop, meanwhile, served as a collection point for used spectacles, hearing aids, shoes, tools and gardening equipment to support a number of appeals.

The shop continues to back the Message in a Bottle scheme too – distributing kits so vulnerable people can keep their vital medical information in a labelled bottle inside their refrigerators.

Mr McCauley added: “Locally, nationally and internationally we have been very active.

“Many local individuals and organisations have benefited from our donations this year.

“And support has been given to local people participating in sponsored events, pride of place going to our MP Greg Mulholland’s ascent of Cotopaxi on behalf of the Royal British Legion.”

Globally, the Lions have also supported work to alleviate suffering caused by the Balkan floods, the conflict in Gaza and the fighting in Syria.

They have also donated to Sightsavers, Water Aid, World Immunisation Week, the Blind Christian Mission and One-Shot-One-Life.