HELENSBURGH'S Lions Club has given a financial boost to plans to set up a new series of tai chi classes in the town.

The club has given the donation to Key, who provide personalised support and housing solutions for people with disabilities and long-term conditions in the town.

Key's very popular boccia club and art group have both received help from the Lions Club in the past, and Mel Newton, the club's secretary, said the club was pleased to provide some initial finance to help get the new group off the ground.

Key is not the only local organisation to receive a financial boost from the Lions Club: Helensburgh Lunch Club, the Stroke Club, Helensburgh Round Table, the Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank and patients at the Vale of Leven Hospital's Fruin Ward also received a share of a total donation of £1,800.

Meanwhile, the club has also presented a cheque for £475 to the Gareloch Riding for the Disabled Association to buy urgently-needed special riding stirrups and associated tack.

Gareloch RDA fund-raiser Ian Ward said: “The group relies on the continued generosity of local groups to support us financially.

“We also rely on our wonderful volunteers to assist with running the riding sessions.”

The Lions Club's programme of community activities continues this Saturday, February 24, with its annual lunch for more than 60 of the area's senior citizens at Helensburgh Golf Club.