Lions are men and women over the age of 18 who are volunteers and have made a personal commitment to help people who are less fortunate. We belong to an organisation, Lions Clubs International, which is an international network of 1.3 million members in 202 countries and geographical areas. On an International scale Lions tackle a range of challenging projects such as the prevention of blindness, providing clean and safe potable water and education on drug abuse prevention.

The LEOS programme is aimed at the younger members of the community aged between 14 and 28 years of age who are also service minded.

In the Disrict of 105A we have a membership of 1801 spread over a network of 88 clubs and we are dedicated to trying to make life a little better for those less fortunate than ourselves. We do this in a number of ways such as:

Clubs develop and fund their own projects based on requests from people within the club’s local communities for help such as helping to fund an item that could make life easier for a family member who has a health problem. It could be that someone is prevented from making a necessary journey due to a disability and the club could help by giving their time to assist in making the journey happen, making life a little easier for those who need it.

Lions also come together to support District projects such as the annual party for Senior Citizens at the Harrow Leisure Centre, day outings for underprivileged youngsters, youth football, youth exchange and a youth music competition which is Europe wide. A Peace Poster competion that is world wide which allows young people, from all countries, to demonstrate drawing skills that produce wonderful interpretations of the theme of peace.

Internationally Lions collect and recycle spectacles and hearing aids to be sent to those countries that need them and fund and build eye clinics in Africa and India allowing the prevention of blindness by providing cataract operations free to local people. They also provide anti biotics to prevent River Blindness in millions of people who would otherwise become blind.

They also partner a charity to provide clean and safe drinking water in parts of the world so enabling people to save a daily walk of up to 10 miles to collect water from a contaminated source bringing disease to families who have no alternative supply.

But it’s not all good causes and fund raising as Lions also have a very social time together enjoying picnics, quiz nights, bowling, golf matches, dining evenings, anniversary dinner dances and just good fun getting together as a group.

The Lions are a non political and non sectarian organisation, who enjoy helping others in any way we can through fund raising and giving our time and energy freely.