A little bit of History (Miriam Baardman) The first recorded local project where the Lions and Rotary Clubs of Papakura combined was in 1993. A request from Sarah Farey was received by the Directorate of the Club to assist a local lady (Miriam Baardman of Liverpool St) to raise $50,000, to enable her to travel to Brisbane to have a liver transplant. The local Lions Club had received a similar request so for the first time in Papakura Lions and Rotary worked together to raise funds in a common cause. (the Miriam Baardman Trust). A small committee consisting of the late Dave Williamson and the late Colin Buchanan from the Lions Club met regularly with George Wilson and Murray Guy from Rotary to organise fundraising activities such as sausage sizzles, road blocks on Christmas Parade day and the hated raffles. During the months of November and December the target of $50,000 was met by the Trust, After two transplants in January 1994 Miriam was restored to health and she returned to Papakura in the first week of June 1994 Miriam was given another 26 years of life and she passed away recently on 20th July. During those 26 years I met Miriam many times. She always had a smile was very grateful to Rotary and Lions for their financial support. Members will be aware that Liver Transplants were rare in those days and were not undertaken in New Zealand. Murray Guy |