Smiles after jaws cash

A $10,000 donation has put a smile on the faces of Healesville Lions Club and State Emergency Service members and a new set of jaws of life for the Healesville SES unit well within reach.
The personal donation by Healesville resident Ion Whykes was a great boost to the Lions/SES appeal which now stands at $40,000.
The well-known former Healesville High School principal turned financial planner presented Lions Club president John Riddell and SES controller Karen Picone with a cheque last week.
Mr Whykes is a representative with Security National Financial Services.
“I like to support causes where I can see the money is going directly to the organisation and not being lost in administration costs,” Mr Whykes said.
“I think what the SES does is fantastic; they certainly deserves encouragement and support and, hopefully, this will inspire other people in the local community to contribute as well,” he said.
Ms Picone said the appeal and the generous response of people so far had provided a morale boost for the unit and, importantly, had raised the profile of the SES.
“We’ve had one potential new member turn up last week and he’s back this week which is a good sign, and another one here tonight,” she said.
The appeal, which aims to raise $45,000, will close on Friday 21 December.
The Lions Club will present the SES with a cheque for the total raised at Carols by Candlelight the next night.
Donations can be dropped in at the Lions Opportunity Shop in Healesville or mailed to Healesville Lions-SES Jaws of Life Project, PO Box 167 Healesville. 3777.