• Lions Club chips in for Carinya

Mal Bilaniwsky (left, with appreciation certificate) and Paul Darby from Figtree Lions Club present Salvation Army Community Fundraising Relationship Manager Karen Walker with a $10,000 cheque for Carinya.

Figtree Lions Club in Wollongong (NSW) has donated $10,000 to The Salvation Army Carinya Women and Children’s Service.

The proceeds were raised from the Figtree Lions Club’s annual Charity Golf Day at Calderwood Golf Club on 21 May.

Carinya offers crisis and transitional housing, along with outreach support, for women and children affected by domestic violence and homelessness in the Illawarra region.

Carinya Program Manager Sonya Button.

Carinya Program Manager Sonya Button said the donation would have a significant impact on the lives of the women and children they support.

“Here at Carinya, we are so, so grateful for the Figtree Lions Club’s donation to assist women and children rebuild their lives. All of the funds will go directly to assisting our clients,” she said.

About 120 people participated in the golf day, which was played in a two-person Ambrose format. A barbeque was held afterwards, with representatives from Carinya handing out the major prizes.

Figtree Lions Club spokesperson Bill Simpson said the club was honoured to support Carinya.

“We became aware of the incredibly supportive service Carinya staff provide to women and children in crisis, and our members wanted to do something to help,” he said. “Business and community members got behind the project because they saw Carinya as a valuable contributor to people in need at a critical time.”