Like any other Lions Clubs around the world, we exist primarily to raise funds to help those in need, though we much enjoy our fellowship evenings.
You might see us collecting on behalf of other charities, or hear of our own band, ‘Rewired’, playing gigs for the elderly of the Disabled. We also dress up as Santa’s or Snowmen ‘clanking’ our collecting tins outside local supermarkets at Christmas and, maybe, singing carols to help us keep warm. Below is a photo of Lions Helen, Ron & Jeanne selling our club’s Annual Christmas draw tickets outside Morrisons in Hadleigh.
You may hear of golf competitions, auctions, quizzes, band nights, Pig races, Charity Raffles, celebrations of St. George’s Day or Burns night and a variety of other events. Who says that fundraising can’t be fun?
A few of our members also relax in disguise too. Below Lion Harry Brett is taking time out to have a beer. However, the beer has had a strange effect on his hair!
You may have heard of the books we have sponsored in the past few years. These give donors the chance to give to charity while, at the same time, giving them a good read in return.
Thus, over the years we have helped other local clubs, bought wheelchairs, installed chairlifts, run sufferers of MS to and from various events, built a ramp to allow a schoolboy stricken with a sudden disabling disease to get into and out of his house, distributed seasonal parcels to local needy folk at Christmas … and many other things.
Nationally, we have contributed to many worthwhile causes and, on an international level, made donations to the sufferers of disasters, such as the Japanese Tsunami as well as recent earthquakes.
We also collect for Children in Need on an annual basis & have done for many years. Below is a photo of Lions Ron, Jeanne, Mike, Helen, Brian & Past president Jean collecting for Children in Need at Benfleet Rail station on the 16th November 2012. £530- was collected by our club members on that day (no quite as good as last year) & the Lions Club of Castle Point would like to thank the people who passed through the rail station on the day for their Donations.
And we support a club for the blind and partially sighted called the Triangle Club, which normally meets in Swans Green Hall in Thundersley, on the first and third Mondays in each month. Pick-up by ambulance is arranged for the Triangle club members. A link to their Website is in the links section of this page.
We also help people out who cannot do day-to-day tasks, for example we help clear overgrown gardens. Below is a photo of Lion ‘Whispering’ Doug Devonport doing just that!
Brian Williams, Lions Doug Devonport and Harry ‘Big H’ Brett visit a local library and stock up on books for those who are housebound.
Look for our members around the borough in December 2013, as we will be making our annual Christmas collections!
Some of our members will be dressed as Santas, Snowmen or even Christmas Fairies? *shaking* our collecting buckets outside local supermarkets & public places at Christmas time! The Lions club of Castle Point collects for good causes during November & December every year along with a Christmas draw, which will go towards good causes in 2013. Thanks to everyone who donated in 2012.
