Obituaries

John was elected as an Honorary Member of Wokingham Lions Club in 2002.

He was a generous benefactor to the Club and sponsored many of the fund-raising events, including the May Fayre, which he supported through his John Nike Leisuresport business.

He attended many of our Charter Night Dinners and our Christmas celebrations, often accompanied by his wife Sue.

He opened his garden each year in aid of the Air Ambulance, and Wokingham Lions assisted by providing marshals.

In 1997, Sue Balchin was the second woman to join the Club, and immediately became a very active member. She became the first female president in 2004 and again in 2009. She worked tirelessly to raise funds, initiate programmes and offer assistance to those less fortunate than herself.

Through her work with the Foodbank she recognised the need for a day centre for homeless people in Wokingham, so started a project in conjunction with the Salvation Army.  Unfortunately she died before completing this, so two members of Wokingham Lions Club picked it up and went on to create a new charity, Wokingham in Need, to which we have given funds to build a centre which will be named after Sue.

In 2012, she was thrilled to receive the MBE from the Queen at Windsor Castle for her charitable work. Her MBE was also awarded for her work as clerk to the General Commissioners of Income Tax. Sadly, Sue died suddenly in January 2015 (age 74), and the Lions dedicated a bench to her in a park near the Wokingham Town Centre.