Mike Corkill, centre, with Richmond Lions Club president Alex Robertson, right, and club treasurer Terry Silcock. Photo: Andrew Board.

Lions donate $2500 for ‘Dad’s new lungs’

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Mike Corkill has received another shot in the arm, with the Richmond Lions Club donating $2500 to his fundraising campaign.

The Lions announced their plans last week after a member brought the idea forward after reading about Mike’s battle to raise $100,000 for a new pair of lungs in the Nelson Weekly. The fundraising drive has been called “Dad’s new lungs” by his six children.

President of the Lions club, Alex Robertson, says they are thrilled to be able to support Mike’s cause and say the amount is far more than it usually gives to causes like this. “We don’t normally give that amount of money away. Usually its $500 and a maximum of $1000 but here we are. We think it’s worth it.”

It brings the total raised so far to just under $20,000 after successful collections in the Richmond Mall, a garage sale, donations from members of the public and businesses.

The family are also hosting a quiz night at the Waimea Old Boys clubrooms in Richmond on June 20.

Mike says all donations mean a heck of a lot.

“It’s more than I could imagine. It just about brings you to tears really,” he says. “And I’m not one for crying.”

Alex says the money came from cutting firewood and from selling sausages at Bunnings. He says while cooking sausages last week they had Mike’s name on the blackboard, which lets shoppers know where the proceeds of the barbeque are going.

One lady walked up to the Lions members and dropped a $100 note in the tin. “She said she didn’t want a sausage, just to donate and I think that’s fantastic. You talk about community support, there is a great example.”

To sign up for the “World Championship Quiz Night” for Mike’s appeal email [email protected] or you can buy tickets from the Richmond Mall information desk or the Nelson Weekly office on Selwyn Pl.