By Leicester Mercury | Posted: 16 September, 2015
Former Leicester Lions President Douglas Smith has recalled the moment Prince Charles walked right up to him at the LOROS Hospice official opening and made a joke about him being the local mafia.
The 86-year-old was invited to the event, which was attended by Prince Charles and Princess Diana, after the Leicester Lions managed to raise more than £64,000 to be put towards the building of the hospice.
"I'd met Charles a couple of times before, so when came into the hospice he walked straight up to me because he recognised me – it was more like he was a friend by that time," said Douglas.
"There was another Lion standing behind me and he asked us if we were the local mafia!"
Leicester Lions raised £64,146, which was put towards the £1.5million to build LOROS hospice 30 years ago.
The money came after the Leicester Lions and BBC Radio Leicester held an auction in 1982, which raised more than £17,000.
A further £17,200 was raised by Lions clubs from across the city and county, and their total was matched by The Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF).
"We never thought we would raise that amount of money," said Douglas.
"We'd heard about LORS and wanted to raise money for them," said Douglas.
In recognition of their contribution, a plaque to the clubs of Leicestershire and The LCIF was placed in the social area of the hospice.
"It was a lovely feeling, knowing that we helped make LOROS possible," said Douglas.
"It was an essential project that Leicestershire needed and we were part of that."
To help LOROS celebrate its 30th birthday, visit www.loros.co.uk/30for30
To donate £30, text 'CARE 24 30' to 70070.
