A FUNDRAISING club that has been serving Haverfordwest for 40 years has ended, due to dwindling numbers.

Haverfordwest Lions Club presented its final donations to local groups last week, at the town's council chambers.

The first group of its kind in Pembrokeshire, the Lions are well known for their annual summer duck race, and organising Father Christmas' annual sleigh rides.

Its volunteers also raised thousands of pounds for local, national and international charities, especially in times of need following natural disasters.

It was also a 'mother club' to branches in Tenby, Pembroke, Milford Haven, St Davids, Fishguard and Letterston.

Outgoing president Mona Skipper thanked all who had been involved in fundraising and events over the last four decades, paying special tribute to Haverfordwest Town Council, and Riverside Shopping.

Mona, a Lions member for 17 years, was its first lady president for 37 years.

"I have loved it, and have met so many wonderful people," she said.

"We did all we could to help the community, and made so many lovely friends."

Said mayor Alan Buckfield: "Haverfordwest Lions has been a marvellous organisation, that has raised a lot of money over the years.

"Local children especially enjoyed Father Christmas' annual visits to Haverfordwest on his sleigh.

"It is a great shame that they are disbanding."

On Monday, January 30, Mona presented £2,400 to be shared between four local causes, the British Heart Foundation, Pembrokeshire Care, Share and Give, Cystic Fibrosis, and the Mayor of Haverfordwest's charity - Prostate Cymru.

While the club will no longer exist, some of its members will transfer to other clubs in the county, and Mona said she hoped one day Haverfordwest's Lions Club would "rise from the ashes".