Ilminster Lions backs Piers Simon Appeal (From Yeovil Express)

Ilminster Lions backs Piers Simon Appeal

10:00am Wednesday 27th February 2013 in News

ILMINSTER Lions have backed a charity which helps support children in developing nations to the tune of £500.

The Lions pledged to sponsor News chief reporter Steve Sowden £1 for every day he stayed off cigarettes up to a year with the money going to a charity of his choice.

Steve succeeded in his challenge and decided to support the Piers Simon Appeal and its School in a Bag initiative, which provides a rucksack full of stationery, learning resources and eating utensils for poor, orphan, vulnerable and disaster-affected children around the world.

Steve was also backed by Adam Chudley, of Ilton-based Chudley Internation-al, in his stop-smoking campaign with sponsorship of £125, enabling him to raise £625 – enough for 41 school bags.

Charity liaison officer Luke Simon said: “We would like to thank Steve for his tremendous effort in not only giving up smoking but also supporting us – and we’d obviously like to thank Ilminster Lions and Adam Chudley for their sponsorship.

“The contents of a School Bag enable children to write, draw, colour, calculate, express themselves, eat, drink and, above all, learn. A School Bag is their passport to a better future.”

The bags funded by Steve’s sponsors are currently in storage awaiting transportation to Kenya, although they could be redirected to schools in The Gambia.

Steve said: “When I decided to give up smoking, I had no intention of getting sponsored or raising money. But I would like to thank Ilminster Lions for their wonderful gesture, which they upped to £500 on the night of the presentation, and to Adam Chudley for his support.”

Adam Chudley has added his £125 pledge to his own PSA fundraising when he runs the Taunton Half Marathon on April 7.

The PSA was formed following the death of former Yeovil College student Piers Simon in the Asian tsunami of 2004.