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Help raise funds for us for FREE You can help Devizes Lions Club (CIO) raise funds by signing up to Easyfundraising. It's really easy to do and it only takes a moment. And it's completely free, so please get involved if you haven't already - this could really help boost our fundraising: https://join.easyfundraising.org.uk/ Thank you.

Devizes Lions Club (CIO) is a Registered Charity No.1185977                                

Stop Press OUR PRESIDENT for the 2026/27 Lions' year is Lion Andy Sheppard.   Click here for details: Handover Celebration Presentation Evening - Tuesday 23 June 2026 in Devizes Town Hall At our annual Presentation Evening, Devizes Lions had the privilege of awarding grants and donations totalling more than £9,000 to local charities, community groups and good causes. Find out more here: 2026 Presentation Evening Lions' Den  Tuesday 16 June 2026 at 7:00pm in Devizes Town Hall And the winner was TAG garden at Omaru Way in recognition of the work done by Bryan Riley and help him to enhance this wonderful space for the benefit of many other people. Click on Lions' Den for details. Lions on the Green  The weather was great, the turnout fantastic and as one exhibitor says, "What a fantastic show.  Must be the best yet. Please pass on my thanks to all concerned." Over £4,500 was raised on the day. A massive thank you to all that supported us and helped make it such a successful day. Follow this link for details: Lions on the Green Page   Sponsored Walk 60 walkers took part on the Sponsored Walk on Sunday 17 May 2026. A massive thank you to all of you that participated, raising in excess of £3,500 in total for your individual causes.  Well Done! Click on 2026 Sponsored Walk for details       Charity Car Boot Sales  Monthly on the following Saturdays:    11 April, then: 09 May, 04 July, 08 August, 12 September and 10 October Follow this link for details: Car Boot Sales Visit our Calendar for a full list of our forthcoming events Back to top Back to Contents

COME ALONG AND HELP US .....

Our Club Needs You!
If you would like to help us help others, don't delay, contact us now. 

WE NEED NEW PEOPLE WITH NEW IDEAS TO HELP US .....If you would like to find out about how you can help us, click here: 
About Lions

Who are Devizes Lions?

About Lions 

Lions are like-minded men and women in your town who are committed to helping its citizens live better lives, and to help make your town a better place for those who live and work here.

Because we are local, we can serve the unique needs of our communities and because we are global, we can address challenges that go beyond our borders, and because of our numbers we can help to influence positive change around the globe. When it comes to meeting challenges, our response is simple:  "We Serve." It's something that unites Lions around the world.  We help wherever, whenever and however we can.

With almost 1.5 million volunteers, Lions is the largest humanitarian organization in the world. Lions aid the blind and visually impaired, support youth initiatives to build strong character and end bullying, feed the hungry, address global epidemics like diabetes, come to the aid of communities when disaster strikes, and are committed to filling other community needs throughout the world.  

Lion Mark S Lyon is Lions International President for 2026-27

Devizes Lions welcome Lion Mark Lyon as the incoming International President for the 2026-27 Lions year. He has chosen "Rooted in Service" as his presidential theme. Rooted in Service "Service is the foundation of Lions. It's who we are and what we do. Our roots run deep - stretching far and wide to build lasting connections and strengthen our world. Every time we serve, our roots grow stronger and deeper.."

MARK S. LYON INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT

Mark S. Lyon, from Brookfield, Connecticut, USA, has been elected to serve as the 2026-27 International President of Lions Clubs International.

Prior to his retirement in March 2024, International President Lyon has worked in corporate legal administration and financial services with several major corporations and banks for over 40 years.

As a long-time resident of Brookfield and an active volunteer in his community, church and local government, his connection with Lions was already well established before he became a member of the Brookfield Lions Club in 1996. Since then, he has held a number of offices within the association, including international director, multiple district council chairperson and multiple district GLT coordinator.

He was also appointed as a member of the LCI Forward project team, a Global Action Team area leader, a District Governor-Elect Seminar group leader and board liaison to the 2019 USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum Executive Committee. International President Lyon has also served as presenter, faculty and participant at countless training events and leadership forums throughout the years.

In recognition of his service, he has received multiple International President’s Awards and International President’s Certificates of Appreciation, as well as an International President’s Leadership Award. International President Lyon is also a recipient of the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the highest honor the association bestows upon its members. Additionally, he has been recognized as a Connecticut Knight of the Blind and a Connecticut Ambassador of Sight and is the recipient of a number of project and service-related certificates.

In addition to his Lion activities, International President Lyon has been active in numerous professional and community organizations. He has served on the board of directors for the Silver Lake Conference Center and Wide Horizons for Children. He was an associate member of the American Bar Association and a past member of the Association of Legal Administrators, the Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals and the Shareholder Services Association.

International President Lyon is a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow. His wife, Lyn Lyon, is also a long-time Lion and Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow. They are the proud parents of three incredible daughters.

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Would you like to join us and change someone's life for the better?  

Contact our membership team at: membership@devizeslions.org.uk

Her Royal Highness
Duchess of Edinburgh 
became Patron of the Lions Clubs of the British Isles in 2004

In 1917, Melvin Jones, a 38-year-old Chicago business leader, told members of his local business club they should reach beyond business issues and address the betterment of their communities and the world. Melvin Jones' group, the Business Circle of Chicago, agreed.

After contacting similar groups around the United States, an organizational meeting was held on June 7, 1917, in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

The new group took the name of one of the invited groups, the "Association of Lions Clubs," and a national convention was held in Dallas, Texas, USA in October of that year. A constitution, by-laws, objectives and a code of ethics were approved and they elected Dr. William P. Woods of Indiana as their first President. 

It was thanks to the support of Canadian Lions and the intervention of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, that the first Lions club in London was founded in 1950.
And the rest is history.

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Devizes Lions are part of Lions International with almost 1.5 million men and women serving their communities all over the world.  

Devizes Lions are dedicated to helping the people of Devizes and those in the areas surrounding the town.

If your organisation or group is in need of help and you think we can assist, please visit our Contacts Page and get in touch now. 

During a typical year Devizes Lions raise funds through a variety of events, sales, collections and concerts, which it distributes to worthwhile causes, including local individuals, families and groups that have approached us when in need of support.

In addition, we have enabled groups to raise their own funds through our popular Sponsored Walk and Swimathon, and provide local children with new sporting and artistic experiences over our Sports and Arts Coaching Weekends.

Naturally, while working together in our joint endeavours, we form close and long-lasting friendships with other members and their families and enjoy social activities with them.

If you would like to join us in changing someone's life for the better contact our membership team at: membership@devizeslions.org.uk  

To find out more, download these publications: 

Lions in your Community 

Step forward

LionsGetInvolved

Dora's Story

But it's not all hard work!
As well as fulfilling our charitable aims Devizes Lions Club is also a great social organisation where we enjoy fun and fellowship whilst supporting those that need our help.

Here are some Lions enjoying a planning meeting!

Devizes Lions' new President, ANDY SHEPPARD took over from former Lion President Andy Wilson at a handover celebration on 28 June 2026  .Our outgoing Lion President Andy Wilson reflected on a successful Lions year before thanking our new 2026-27 President, Lion Andy Sheppard, for taking on the role for a third time. We're all incredibly grateful that our club continues to be led by such a safe pair of hands.

In accepting his new role, President Andy set out his aspirations for the coming year as  Lion President, saying,

“I wish to thank our outgoing President, Andy Wilson for a brilliant year and how we could build upon his success and our major projects such as Santa's Sleigh and Lions on the Green.  We have a waiting list of new prospective members wanting to join our ranks and wish to encourage them to join the Club and help them fulfil their potential as members.

I would like to thank members for taking on the rolls that keep the club moving forward but we must remember how important it is to retain our existing members by not expecting too much from them and looking after our own. 

I am looking forward to working with everyone and making this year special."

Married to Lion Jo, who was Devizes Lions President from 2021-22, this is the third time Andy has been Club President and we look forward to another enjoyable and successful year under his leadership.

Following the speeches, we enjoyed a lovely two-course lunch and spent the afternoon catching up with friends during one of the most popular social events in our Lions calendar.

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"Chase LOVED seeing Santa last night again, thanks so much to the Lions Club for continuing such a wonderful tradition that I can share with my child, that I remember doing as a child myself! Keeping Xmas magical."  Cassie on our Facebook page.

"Big Thank You to Devizes Lions for organising the sponsored walk; we've managed to raise over £1400 (and still counting) for Victim Support"

"I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank the Devizes Lions again for their continued support for First Stages.  It means a great deal to us to know that our work is recognised, and we are very proud and grateful to have been among so many worthy recipients last week.  The support the Lions gives to the smaller local groups is so important.  Thank you!"   Carole Berry.

"The Monday Club would like to thank ... the Lions who have worked so hard to support us."  Jackie.

"The cheque given to us will help keep our club afloat and enable us to give our members some little pleasures." - Devizes PHAB. 

"It's all great news people! More then 500 kids took a part in sport weekend this year - I know, because I asked... I can see so many advantages, not only fun some of them will continue, for some of them it was perhaps the only opportunity to try some sports, more sport - better health! More 'inspired' kids - more 'sporty' adults in the future! All voluntary job by Lions Club, how amazing!" Asia K.

And recently posted on Facebook:

"My daughter has come back from a canoeing session, with Don Jones 's autograph!

Seriously, a huge thank you and well done to Devizes Lions for organising their sports weekend again. My girls have respectively canoed and played badminton. It's a fantastic opportunity for our youngsters to try their hand at something new, or at something that their parents might not otherwise be able to afford for them to do."  
Sue Ross

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Over 100 Years Serving the Community

In Lions Year 2020/21, two members of Devizes Lions Club together amassed over 100 years of voluntary service to the local community.  This milestone was reached during the Lions' year 2020/21 in which the Club also marked the 50th anniversary of its founding.

Follow this link to read the whole story 100yrs of service

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Message in a Bottle

Lions Clubs throughout the country supply Message in a Bottle containers to people who have health and medical needs. The bottle is simply placed in your fridge and contains all the important information that might be needed in an emergency.

Devizes Lions have placed supplies of bottles in local doctors' surgeries for you to take home and use. If you can't see them on display then ask the receptionist. 

Stocks of bottles are held at:

• The Lansdowne Surgery
• St James' Surgery
• Southbroom Surgery
• Devizes Health Centre
• Market Lavington Surgery
• Courtyard Surgery, West Lavington

​In the unlikely event they have run out, please let us know at: welfare@devizeslions.org.uk so we can replenish the stocks.  

You will know there is a bottle in the fridge by the two labels, one is fixed on the inside of the front door or the main entrance and the other is on the door of the fridge.

Remember - Always Check the fridge!

 Click the picture to dowload a copy.

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SIGHT

World Sight Day on the Second Thursday of October

World Sight Day, on the second Thursday of October highlights the critical importance of prioritising child eye health.

“We all know that in children an uncorrected vision impairment can severely impact their education. Research tells us that children with access to and being prescribed spectacles can reduce failing rates by 44%. It is knowledge like this that has led us to make World Sight Day 2024 one for children around the world,” said Peter Holland, IAPB (International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness) CEO. 

We need to raise awareness of the 450 million children globally who have a sight condition that needs treatment. 

Schools and organisations are encouraged to participate in the Global Challenge by screening the vision of children; carers and parents on behalf of their children are invited to make a #LoveYourEyes pledge; teachers are asked to access World Sight Day resources that inspire children to take care of their eyes now, and long into the future.  

Encouraging parents to have children’s eyesight tested can help those with reading problems to improve their learning – a benefit for the rest of their lives socially and financially. 

“IAPB has proven that when we work together, we create noise and an enthusiasm that is hard to ignore. Therefore, I am calling on everyone to work to ensure that children around the world have access to clear, healthy vision. We invite you to take ownership of the Love Your Eyes campaign, use our resources to be bold, have fun and create moments that cannot be overlooked,” encouraged Caroline Casey, President of IAPB. 

After the World Sight Day 2023 success of Love Your Eyes at Work, IAPB together with the International Labour Organization will continue campaigning on the importance of prioritising eye care in the workplace.   

In the United Kingdom there are well over 2 million people with sight loss, 80% of whom are over the age of retirement. It is estimated that over 50% of Lions Clubs members in the British Isles may have some level of sight loss which affects their way of life. Clubs should ensure that they are able to provide equal support to individual members with sight loss eg information in an accessible format and a volunteer driver/or guide to help them to meetings and activities. Increasing font size in documents is a simple way of helping people with visual impairment.

The Lions International 👁Sight Programme embraces the Lions Eye Health Programme and has four key components:

• Eye Health and Care – nutrition, take up of regular eye tests, advice to stop smoking, and reduce computer eye strain
• Service and Support -Talking newspapers, low vision exhibitions, and healthy vision campaigns
• Partnership – local-led alliances with sight-related organisations, and national organisations eg Lions Sight Savers Trust and Blind Veterans. Devizes Lions support Wiltshire Sight.
• Lions Clubs’ take action to prevent/reduce sight loss, and accessibility to screening and treatment in our communities.

Contact Lions National Headquarters on 0121 441 4544 for a leaflet/poster

Screening. 

Eye tests are often how diabetes, glaucoma, cataract, and other treatable problems are found, before the person tested knows they have a problem

Most causes of impaired vision, and blindness, are preventable or curable.

This includes the common and devastating causes of blindness in Third world countries, including cataract and glaucoma, as well as trachoma and river blindness (onchocerciasis). 

Lions International promotes action to prevent and reduce impaired vision and blindness throughout the world

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Forthcoming Events
Watch this space for details of our Forthcoming Events