BIG-HEARTED Lions members raised £1,000 for children at a special school to enjoy a Christmas celebration.

President of the Blackburn Lions Club, Norman Johnson, presented the cheque to 11-year-old Ivan Stafford at Newfields School on Monday. Lions member John Swarbrick said: "We thought it would be a nice idea to get together to raise money for decorations and presents.

"It gave the children at the school a chance to have a Christmas party."