MEMBERS of the Calne Lions have had to embrace technological changes since its creation in 1972 to continue donating thousands to local good causes.

The Calne contingent of the largest service organisation in the world, which has donated more than £120,000 to local good causes over 40 years, believe their success is due to the way they have adapted.

President Les Stiff, who has been a member of Calne Lions for 37 years, said: "We started as an all-male club but we now have a large number of women. The people who join us today are like-minded individuals from all walks of life.

"I think our success comes from embracing modern technology. We are on Facebook and we have a website and we are now getting a card reader as we have now become a cashless society.

"Over the last ten years we have been operating more as a business in our fundraising and we analyse everything now ? what we are doing, how we are doing it, what streets we have been visiting, how much money we have been taking – and the results are really interesting.

"It is fair to say that back in the 1980s and the 1990s we were enthusiastic amateurs but now we are enthusiastic and highly organised."

The group, which currently has 22 members, make grants and donations from £14,000 to £20,000 every year and, according to Mr Stiff, its Christmas collection has been its most successful yet.

"Last year we raised £5,490 and at the moment we have £6,046," he said. "We had 38 non-Lions come out and help us and without their help, we would not have been able to reach this amount.

"I love this time of year because you get to see the satisfaction and the joy on children's faces and of course in the summer, we have our duck race and the town is always full of excited people who take part or watch."

Although the club has had to move with the times to work efficiently and proactively, the president also paid tribute to the community spirit of Calne which he says is integral to their work.

"We are always looking for new members and Calne is lucky that the community spirit here is so positive," he added. "Over the years, the community spirit has improved and people are very generous."

Anyone interested in joining the Calne Lions, can attend their meetings which take place on the first Tuesday of every month from 8pm at the White Hart Hotel.