By Molly Taylor
LIMESTONE Coast stamp collectors are parting with their prized items to help purchase walking frames for Australian children born with cerebral palsy.
For over seven years, the Lions Club of Mount Gambier has helped coordinate donations across the region for the Lions International Stamp Club, which raises funds for the Australian Lions Children’s Mobility Foundation.
The national stamp club has just completed a record year, selling 400kgs of used stamps and raising $53,000 to purchase balance walkers and other mobility devices for children born with cerebral palsy.
Since the stamp club’s project was established in 2004, a total of $200,000 has been donated to the foundation with $101,000 raised in the past two years alone.
Lions Club of Mount Gambier project organiser Ross Parkinson said the club had already collected over 5kg of stamps ready for next year’s donation.
“We are always looking for more stamps and we have had some rather thoughtful people which have donated their collections,” Mr Parkinson said.
“Perhaps their mum or dad have been collectors or had nice albums and the children have discovered them when cleaning up houses or going through old items.
“Instead of them be adding to the skip, we encourage people to think about Lions and the children who benefit from this project.”
Stamps are sorted into three categories including Australian stamps 60c and above, Australian stamps less than 60c and foreign stamps.
The stamps are then packed into kilogram lots and auctioned.
Mr Parkinson has been a Lions member for 21 years and recalls a specific presentation which initially caught his attention.
“My wife Sue has been a Lioness for over 30 years and when I drove Sue to a District Convention in Renmark and there was a little chap in a HART Walker,” he said.
“The little chap walked across the stage in front of 100 people and he was smiling and happy as Larry he could walk.
“It really inspired me and when I was bringing Sue back, I thought it was a fabulous project and if that was the stuff I was going to be doing I wanted to be part of it.”
Mr Parkinson said he had seen some interesting stamps over his time including commemorative milestone stamps, picturesque roses and unique wildlife artwork and imagery.
“We are very proud to be part of it all. Lions Club of Mount Gambier are on the front foot with this one and I believe it is a very worthwhile thing,” Mr Parkinson said.
Contact Ross Parkinson on 0400 107 571 to be involved.
