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Please Support Devizes Lions |
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Would you like to be part of the action? |
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To enable us to continue arranging fund raising events in the town and
deliver much needed support to the community,
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:
Who are Devizes Lions?
Welcome to our Web Site
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Lions are here to help society and each member of that society; our motto is "We Serve". Use this website to find out more about what we do. |
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Notice to Visitors to this Web Site
Please be advised that we will never ask anyone seeking a grant from Lions Clubs International or from any Lions Club to make any payment to secure a Lions grant.
Anyone contacting you by telephone, by letter or online and offering a Lions grant in exchange for a fee or advance payment to secure a Lions grant is doing so fraudulently, and you should not proceed with the matter.
For all the latest Club News and Events,
scroll down this page or click one of these links:
| Lions News | ||
| Forthcoming Events | ||
| Recent Events | ||
| Who are Devizes Lions | ||
| Interested in joining us? | ||
| Devizes Lions President 2019/20 | ||
| What is being said about Devizes Lions | ||
or visit our Calendar for a full list of our forthcoming events
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Please Support Devizes Lions |
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Who are Devizes Lions?
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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. |
With the support of the local community Devizes Lions have raised many thousands of pounds to help support local people and various charities. Whether a group needing funds, a community action group or just someone seeking help, Devizes Lions try to make the problem smaller.
During a typical year Devizes Lions raise funds through a variety of events, sales, collections and concerts, and distributes around £30,000 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 we provide around 500 local children with new sporting experiences over our Sports Coaching Weekend.
Here are the Club's formally adopted Public benefits Statement and Grant Making Policy.
A Brief History of Lions Clubs International
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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.
| To find out more about Lions, download a copy of this publication: ＃LionsGetInvolved |
or watch this short video:
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It's not all hard work! |
Here are some Lions enjoying a planning meeting! |
TO CONTINUE PROVIDING SUPPORT TO THE COMMUNITY WE NEED NEW MEMBERS TO HELP US
So now is the time to take this opportunity.
Find out more about becoming a Devizes Lion by contacting us now:
- phone us on 0345 833 6749
- e-mail us at Devizes Lions Club
- follow us on Facebook or Twitter
- visit our contact page for more options
Devizes Lions' President 2020/21
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OUR PRESIDENT  |
Devizes Lions' new President, Jerry King took over from former Lion President Chris Ellis at a virtual handover celebration on 28 June 2020. CONGRATULATIONS!
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Enormous thanks are due to Chris for a successful but challenging year and our Best Wishes go to Jerry for his term of office.
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And this is our 2020/21 Lion President Jerry King's message to everyone: "As in Lions Clubs all over the world, it is a special honour for me to be elected President of our Club for the year until next June. The coming months are full of uncertainties, but there is plenty for Devizes Lions to remain positive about as we work together to help the people of the local area as our Club has done for fifty years. |
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Would you like to be part of the action? Click here: Find out more or Contact us. |
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What has been said about Devizes Lions
"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
This year's Sports Coaching weekend has been CANCELLED
But Here's the Good News:
On Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th March 2021, Devizes Lions will be holding their popular Sports Coaching Weekend where children in school year groups 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are invited to try one of over 20 different sports that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience. Tuition will be provided by qualified coaches.
Devizes Lions acknowledge the generous support given by the Devizes Area Board of Wiltshire Council towards this event.
Lions' Den
Wednesday 9th September
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2018 Devizes Lions’ Den Winner KFR receives a cheque for £2,000 from Lions Vice-President Andy Sheppard.
Left to right; Lions Jerry King, Lion Vice President Andy Sheppard, Lion Nick Seager, KFR Operations Manager Dan Thompson; Den Judge Michael Gaiger, KFR volunteer Tom Green and Den Judge Rosemary Macdonald of Wiltshire Community Foundation
To see what happened on previous Lions' Dens, visit our Club Projects page. |
Be brave - there’s nothing to fear and everything to gain in The Devizes Lions’ Den! Devizes Lions Club are inviting local deserving causes into their Den for the chance to win a share of £3,000. The substantial giveaway will be awarded to organisations or individuals involved in activities that benefit the local community. ‘The money could be used to get an idea off the ground, improve or develop an existing project,’ explained Lion Tony Scorer. ‘But most importantly they have to demonstrate that what they’re going to do will be of value to people in and around the Devizes area.’ Potential candidates are invited to make their case for the funding via an application form available on line below or by emailing: lionsden@devizeslions.org.uk Register your interest as soon as possible and the closing date for completed applications is the 14th August. The top five applicants will then be asked to pitch their bids within eight minutes to a panel of judges on the evening of 9th September at Devizes Town Hall. The judging panel will include Fiona Oliver of the Wiltshire Community Foundation, local businessmen Nigel Grist and Michael Gaiger. The cause that is judged to be the most deserving will receive £2,000 with the balance of the money being allocated to the other finalists. Interested? You can download an application form and presentation guidance notes here: Den Application Form Alternatively, Send your details to: |
Lions and Rotary Joint Charity Golf Day
Wednesday 07 October 2020
Devizes Lions and Devizes Rotary have re-scheduled this year's Charity Golf Day that had been postponed as a result of the coronavirus outbreak for October 7th.
Head over to our Charity Golf Day page for more details and to download application forms.
Visit our Calendar for a full list of our forthcoming events.
Calendar
VIRTUAL PRESENTATION EVENING
May 2020
Donations amounting to £6850 are being donated to 23 organisations.
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We have nowreceived contributions from all of the 23 recipients. That is a fantastic response and it is truly amazing to know about the wonderful work that they are all doing at this difficult time. |
Because we see the Coronavirus pandemic having a very significant impact on our fundraising activities for some months to come, we decided to restrict donations this year to those that will make an immediate beneficial impact locally. We have also decided to defer making decisions on the many groups and organisations that we normally support but are currently inactive, until life returns to some form of normality and the effects of the lock down on these organisations can be seen. We decided that the Presentation Evening this year would be a “virtual" event with BACS payments instead of the normal formal presentation of cheques in envelopes by the town’s Mayor. We think one of the important aspects of past presentation evenings has been learning what different groups are doing in and around Devizes. As recipients will not be there in person to tell us about their work this year, we asked for a paragraph or two informing us about what the organisation or Charity does and how the donation will help. All those that have responded have agreed that we may share that information between the beneficiaries and on our social media platforms. |
Swimathon
29th February 2020
The aim of the Swimathon is to make it simple for people to raise money for their own favourite charity or worthy cause.
Devizes Lions held their annual Sponsored Swimathon on Saturday the 29th February at Devizes Leisure Centre.
The Club was delighted that 21 teams took part in Swimathon2020 on Saturday afternoon and evening. The volunteer counters totalled up 1,660 lengths – that’s 41.5 km or 26 miles - of the pool achieved by swimmers of all ages. The total on the sponsorship cards amounted to £4,289 that goes to the groups and charities who entered. The swimmers from 2nd Devizes Guides accumulated 116 lengths in their 50 minutes session, the best total for any team in the event.
The Club is grateful for the willing assistance provided by the staff at the Leisure Centre.
Lion President Chris Ellis said,
“ I would like to give my thanks to all who took part in the Swimathon
on Saturday. It was great that we were able to run this event again
this year”.
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Can your Fund Raising Team swim for an hour between 4pm and 10pm on Saturday 29 February at Devizes Leisure Centre Pool? The Lions Club provide all the facilities and the forms for your own charity, organisation or group to get sponsorship and claim any possible Gift Aid. Teams of 4 to 8 swimmers can enter, with only one swimmer in the water at any time. Children, parents, teachers etc can all enter and we won’t charge you. For entry forms or more details, please contact Lion Andy Sheppard on 0345 833 6749 You can download your own copy of the poster here: swimathon 2020 poster
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Devizes Corn Exchange 9:00am to 2:30pm
CHRISTMAS FAIR UPDATE
A BIG, BIG THANK YOU to all who came along and supported the Lions Christmas fair on Saturday and helped us raise nearly £9,000 that will all be used for charitable purposes.
Thank you also to the many friends and volunteers who helped us make the event such a success, and to those who donated items for us to sell.
Here are some photos of the event in progress:
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You can download your own copy of the poster here: Christmas Fair Poster
In 2018 Devizes Lions Christmas Fair raised over £9000 after expenses that has been used to help local charitable good causes.
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26th October 2019
Taster sessions for Primary School children in Year Groups 4, 5 & 6 from the Devizes area in various artistic activities.
There's an interesting article about the day in the Gazette and Herald: https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/18015099.everything-cheerleading-crochet-lions-devizes/
Visit our Arts Coaching page for further details of this highly successful day
Sponsored Walk
6th October 2019
The aim of the Sponsored Walk is to make it simple for people to raise money for their own favourite charity or worthy cause. The Sunday this year was a bright autumn day, perfect for a walk around Roundway Hill when about £2,000 was raised by our walkers for the various causes they were walking for.
A BIG THANK YOU and WELL DONE to all who walked.
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The format was the same as in previous years with a route of about 8 miles that follows the roads and tracks onto Roundway Down. The start and finish was at Devizes Wharf Theatre starting at 9.30 am prompt. Organisations and individuals were invited to take part and raise money for their own charity or other good cause. If you would like your sponsorship money to come to the Lions Club of Devizes for distribution to local charities, that would be most welcome. We provide the sponsorship forms and administration and ask that all money raised comes initially to Devizes Lions Club. All the money raised will be returned to the relevant charities or organisations after the walk. Download a copy of the poster here: sponsored walk 2019 poster.pdf |
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Presentation Evening 13th June 2019
Lions support for the local community
| Cheques for a total of £10,600 were handed out by the Mayor, Councillor Judy Rose, to thirty-two local groups at Devizes Lions' Presentation Evening on 13th June. The amounts were part of the end-of-year package of grants marking Lion Andy Sheppard's year as Club President. An additional £1750 was donated to Lions projects in the UK and overseas. |
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Recipients included these diverse groups:
Age UK - Wiltshire, Alzheimer's Support, Arts Together, Budo Club, Canon's House, Carer Support Wiltshire, CUDS (Clean Up Devizes), Devizes & District Link, Devizes & District PHAB , Devizes Child Contact Centre, Devizes Hospital and Community Radio, Devizes & District Food Bank, Devizes Men's Shed/Devizes Men's Club, Devizes Opendoors, Devizes Over 50's Club, Friends of Erlestoke Prison, Home-Start Kennet, Kennet Gateway Club, KFR, Mid Wiltshire Relate, Monday Club, Nursteed Community Centre, Samaritans, Samaritan's Purse/Operation Christmas Child, First Devizes Scout Group, The Tuesday Club, Victim Support Wiltshire, Waiblingen Way Residents' Association, Wiltshire Mind, Wiltshire Portage Service, Wiltshire Sight and Youth Action Wiltshire.
During the evening representatives explained the magnificent work of the various organisations and charities that were being supported and how the Lions’ donations would be used, with frequent references to tackling loneliness or isolation, providing transport that might not otherwise be affordable or providing facilities, meals and entertainment.
The Lions’ grants were part of the amount raised at various fund-raising events throughout the year that is used to support many local groups, families and individuals.
Picture: Lions Presentation Evening - June 2019
Representatives of the thirty-two local groups that received grants at the Devizes Lions’ Presentation Evening. Kneeling are Club President Lion Andy Sheppard (left) and the Lions Welfare Chairman Jerry King (right) with the Mayor of Devizes Councillor Judy Rose.
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Back in December, Devizes Lions contributed £650 to help a local mum to reach the amount needed to order a very special bike. It will allow her to take out her son Jai who is severely limited in what he can do, but is able to enjoy being outside in the countryside. The other day a few of us went to see the bike, and one of our Lions, Speedy "Pedals" Seager wasted no time road testing it. Evidence attached.
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The fair will be on similar lines as previous years, but enlhanced in a number of ways.
In addition to trades & charities, a new class of stall is being introduced - for artisans who produce goods for direct sale to the public.
Full details of the Fair, including entertainments and other attractions, are being finalised and will be published here.
Booking forms for stalls will be available early in January. They will be sent automatically to those who have taken part in previous years, but if the address or person responsible has changed since then, please let us know.
Any other potential stallholder is invited to get details from:
Lion Chris Gillings, 5 Gaisford Chase, Worton, Devizes SN10 5RX, telephone 01380 725503.
Email: chris.gillings1945@gmail.com
Charity Golf Day at North Wilts Golf Club
8th May 2019
Devizes Lions and Devizes Rotary's joint Charity Golf Day held on the 8th May 2019 raised £3736 after costs, to benefit Dorothy House Hospice Care.
To find out more visit our Charity Golf Day web page
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For more details of the event visit our Golf Day page |
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On Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th April 2019 Devizes Lions held their popular Sports Coaching Weekend where children in school year groups 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are invited to try one of 22 different sports that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience. Tuition was all provided by qualified coaches. We offered three new activities in 2019: Visit our Sports Coaching page for details
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The Swimathon at Devizes Leisure Centre on Saturday 2nd March went very well and raised at least £3677.00 which will benefit the many organisations that took part. The total mileage swum was nearly 50 miles! Many thanks to Cllr Judy Rose (Mayor Elect) (right) who started the event off with very loud whistle. A BIG WELL DONE to all of you that participated and very special thanks to all that sponsored them. |
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Can your Fund Raising Team swim for an hour? Devizes Lions annual Swimathon will take place on Saturday 02 March 2019 between 4pm and 10pm at Devizes Leisure Centre Pool. The Lions Club provide all the administration and forms for you to raise money for your own charity, organisation or group and claim any possible Gift Aid. Teams of 4 to 8 swimmers may enter, with only one swimmer in the water at any time. |
Download your own copy of the poster here: |
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Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal.
Devizes Lions collected £470 at Morrison's on Thursday 28 February 2019 for the Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal. Here are two of us in our silly hats helping this wonderful cause.
Charity Concert
featuring the Ynysowen Male Voice Choir
Saturday 16th February 2019
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Ynysowen Male Choir was formed in the wake of the Aberfan disaster as a way of saying thank you to the world for the support it had shown Aberfan in its darkest hour through song. This 30 strong choir has performed at various venues across the UK and abroad, from churches to village halls, concert halls to marquees they have sung for small crowds and thousands of people. The event is supported by performers from local schools. The event, promoted by Devizes Lions raised £2000 to support the Devizes Opportunity Centre who provide a world of opportunities for children with special needs and their families through high quality Early Years Education, therapeutic care and ongoing support.
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Click here to download the poster:
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Seasonal Events in the run-up to Christmas
Other past events
You can find out about many of the other events that Devizes Lions has organised by visiting our Club Projects Page: Club Projects
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Please support Devizes Lions |
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Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world.
