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    OVER 50 YEARS SERVING THE COMMUNITY

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Please Support Devizes Lions
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To make a donation from your mobile, simply -

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

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?

Please Support Devizes Lions
CLICK on the DONATE button and you will be taken to our Donation site where you can make a donation on line:

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

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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.

Lion Dr Patti Hill is Lions International President for 2023-24

Devizes Lions welcome Lion Dr Patti Hill from Edmonton, Alberta as our International President for the 2023-24 Lions year.
Her theme is Changing the World through Service.

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

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.

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

To find out more, download these publications: 

Lions in your Community 

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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, Debbie Wilson  took over from former Lion President Andy Trotter at a handover celebration on 25 June 2023.

At a ceremony held at the Guide Hall on Sunday 25 June, Lion President Andy Trotter handed over his chain of office to our new President, Lion Debbie Wilson.

Andy thanked and made presentations to his officers and committee chairs and thanked them and all the members for their support over his year in office.

On receiving her chain of office, Lion President Debbie thanked Andy for a successful year during which the Club had achieved much, leaving it in a healthy position upon which she would build.  She then set out her aims for the new Lions’ year.

The ceremony was followed by an enjoyable buffet lunch attended by Lions and their partners.

Thank you, Andy, and Welcome, Debs! 

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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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100 Years Serving the Community

Two members of DEVIZES LIONS Club have together amassed over 100 years of voluntary service to the local community.  This milestone has been reached during the year in which the Club marks the 50th anniversary of its founding.

Soon after the Club formed in 1970 David Bousfield joined, and John Hurley did so a few months later.  Over the years they have helped to organise many Lions’ events, including assisting individuals and groups in need of practical or financial help as well as organising large scale events such as Gymkhanas and the May and Christmas Fayres.   

David was President of the Club in 1984 and again in 2014.  Like many of the Lions, David is well known in other fields.  He is a solicitor with Wansbroughs in Devizes and has lived in Potterne for many years, he is a former trustee of the Wiltshire Community Foundation and governor of Devizes School.  A keen sportsman, he was previously a county hockey player and remains a keen golfer.

John was President of the Club in 1977, and now lives in New Park Street.  He was Engineer & Surveyor to the former Devizes Rural District Council and then Kennet District Council. With his late wife Beryl he was active in the establishment of the Wharf Theatre and they were also leading figures in the Wiltshire family history scene, transcribing and publishing many records and giving talks over much of the country. 

Both John and David remain active Club members preparing for the restart of the Club’s public activities and its next 50 years helping local individuals, families and groups in need of support.

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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 all local doctors' surgeries for you to take home and use. If you can't see them on display then ask the receptionist. 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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 Recycling Spectacles 

Lions Clubs throughout the country collect used spectacles.  They are sent to Lions Headquarters in Birmingham or to Chichester Lions Club where about one million pairs a year are processed by club members and other volunteers. They use their considerable experience built up over 35 years, to select the items that are suitable for recycling and to sort them in preparation for onward transmission to the Ukraine and Medico France in Le Havre. Medico France has the necessary equipment to clean and grade the spectacles ready for use in eye camps in Africa, India and Eastern Europe.

If you have any, you can drop them off in SpecSavers or Haines and Smith.

Visit https://lionsrecycling.co.uk/how-to-donate/ to find out more. This public website explains what, where and why to donate spectacles. The 'where' contains a map showing drop-off points for spectacle donations.

Here is Devizes Lions' Welfare chair adding a couple of boxes of used spectacles that have been collected in town, to a pile that is being sent for recycling.

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Devizes Lions have made an initial grant of £1,000 to LCIF (Lions Clubs International Foundation) to assist in the provision of emergency help to refugees fleeing Ukraine.

We are keeping the situation under review and will offer further assistance when needed, whether it be local, national or international.

Please help Devizes Lions support the people of Ukraine by making a donation here: Donate

The conflict in Ukraine unfortunately continues with millions of people affected in this crisis. Lions Clubs International (LCIF) our foundation, are continuing to support these people through the awarding of grants to Lions Clubs in the areas of need. These grants are to provide the immediate relief needs to those who are desperate for assistance.

Through Lions to Lions grants, support is being provided to refugees who have been displaced from their homes. These grants are providing essential resources to address the critical needs of people who remain and who have crossed the borders into other countries.

So far, LCIF has awarded grants totalling almost $650,000 supporting an estimated 83,000 people.  Of that, $95,000 has been awarded to provide relief for internally displaced persons in Ukraine itself and a further $550,000 for refugee relief outside Ukraine.

For a full list of grants awarded visit LCIF - Ukraine

A massive thank you to Clubs and individuals who have responded to the call for help. 

Remember that grants are overseen by Lions on the ground, so we know where your money is going.

Here are just a few of the relief efforts Lions are providing:

Dr. Igor Hrytsiuk is a Lion with Lviv Lions Club , and at the same time a doctor at the Western Ukraine Specialized Children's Medical Center in Lvów. This is a local medical facility providing specialist medical care. On February 15th, they were so proud that they were opening the most modern Clinic of pediatric oncology and bone spur transplantation in this part of Ukraine - the only one who performed such treatments. They probably didn't allow that in a few weeks, not hypermodern devices for treating children, but generators for power in shelters, window tinting paper during bombing, flashlights and batteries will be the peak of dreams. We support the fight of Ihora Hrytsiuk, Roman Monastirsky, Iwana Festkiva, - our Lion friends, we support all Ukrainians and we are proud to be part of the international wave of help for the brave Ukrainian nation. Proud to be a part of Lions Clubs International. 

Serving from a bomb shelter, the Lions of Ukraine with a LCIF grant are providing food, medicine, and hygiene products for those displaced in Kyiv, the Kyiv region, and Zhytomyr. Your donation to LCIF’s Refugees and Displaced Persons fund will help ensure that Lions are there to help them find the safety and security they desperately need. 

Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine [🇺🇦]
Today one of 4 ambulances arrived from the UK Lions Clubs International at our warehouse in Poland.
Love and respect to all involved, you are saving lives in Ukraine.

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Forthcoming Events
Watch this space for details of our Forthcoming Events

Santa's sleigh 01 - 21 December 2023 CHRISTMAS FLOAT UPDATE....... SANTA'S SLEIGH ROUTES Devizes Lions will be out touring the town from Friday 1st to Thursday 21st December with a cheery Santa, lights and music. We will be starting at 5:30pm each evening and finish by 7:45pm at the latest. Here are the routes.........     Click on the text to view or download a copy >>>>>>>>> You will be able to follow Santa's route each evening in real time from our Facebook Page. Santa's Sleigh will be at the Lidl supermarket on Saturday 2nd December and at Morrisons' supermarket on Saturday 16th December. Devizes Lions will also have a Christmas collection in The Brittox on Thursday 14th December. Please Note: Cul-de-sacs The float will normally wait at the entrance to cul-de-sacs and Santa’s helpers will tell people where he is waiting to greet the children Times The float will start at 5.30 each evening and finish no later than 7:45 Weather Devizes Lions cannot guarantee that they will be able to adhere to the published programme due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ During November, Devizes Lions have been very busy helping Santa get his sleigh ready for his tour of the town in December with his merry band of helpers, clowns and elves, bringing lights, music and a cheery wave to the children. Keep watching this space for details of routes, dates and times, which will be published during November. If you need to contact the organisers, please e-mail santa@devizeslions.org.uk. In the meantime, here is what we did last year: 2022 Santa's Sleigh Back to top Back to Contents

Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th April 2024

Our next Sports Coaching Weekend will be on 06 and 07 April 2024.  Make a note of those dates and head over to our Sports Coaching page for further details.

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