Caring in the Community

The Lions organisation was founded in 1917 and has been operating in the British Isles and Ireland since the 1950’s. Today we have 1.35 million members worldwide with 17,000 men and women active Lions members, belonging to 900 clubs, across Great Britain and Ireland.

Over the past four decades, Lions Clubs International Foundation has awarded over £500 million to support humanitarian community projects around the world. Lions Clubs undertake hundreds of fund-raising activities in cities, towns and villages with 100% of monies raised going direct to good causes. Not one penny is spent on administration costs, which are funded by Lions members.

You may not be familiar with the full scope of our activities – and also our insight into key issues where our global membership of volunteers are making a real difference, in local, national and international communities.

From helping young people to be responsible citizens, to championing projects that address issues such as blindness, diabetes and measles, as well as supporting disaster relief programmes (here and overseas), Lions are making an invaluable contribution in the modern world. Wherever there’s been a major event in this busy world, members of Lions Clubs have been on hand.

We helped celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee up and down the country – from the beaches around Looe in Cornwall to presenting cakes to council-run sheltered housing in Aberdeen. Naturally, Lions supported – and participated – in the London 2012 torch relay.

We’ve also organised special holidays in Llandudno and Mablethorpe for children from Chernobyl in Belarus, hosted hundreds of senior citizens at parties and now we’re collecting for Christmas parcels to help those in need over the holiday period.

Lions have undertaken some weird and wonderful fund-raising challenges. One member visited 201 branches of the Samaritans on a 6,000 mile motorbike ride, raising over £10,000 for the charity. Another undertook the Lion Man Challenge – 45 miles of cycling, 10 miles of running and 7 in a canoe and in November we support bonfires and firework events.

Together we’ve donated to causes so far this year, ranging from the Air Ambulance Trusts to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. We have also launched the Lions International Blood Research Appeal ‘Giving 4 Growth’ campaign for Kings’ College Hospital and we’ve still some of our busiest months to go, supporting and helping Father Christmas with his busy schedule.

The Lions Clubs of British Isles and Ireland have roared to the rescue after a key provider of education resources entered voluntary liquidation. Having been a supporter and partner of the Tacade charity for 27 years, it was agreed this year to take over the service and supply the tens of thousands of primary and secondary schools who value the education materials that help children learn vital life skills. More than three quarters of primary schools and 60% of secondary schools in the UK have used the education materials, which support PSHE (personal, social, health and economic) education within schools and the wider community. The learning resources help address a range of issues encountered by young people. For example, the successful ‘Life Changes’ pack helps children aged 3 – 11 years old to cope with loss, change and bereavement in their lives. New for 2012 is ‘Up in Smoke’ – a resource offering easy to follow sessions that highlight the benefits of being smoke free.

The Lions logo and brand can be seen at community events every day of the year. Lions members can be found having fun raising money for charity with a host of creative ideas. Many of the events have been run for decades – making them the centre of community activities, for young, old and everyone in-between.

We greatly appreciate and value the support given to the Lions association and hope that we can continue to provide the service we are renowned for as being the number one non-governmental service organisation, as we are proud of our motto of ‘We Serve’.