Staines and Ashford Lions Club
The Club was formed in 1975 as the Spelthorne Lions Club and changed its name to the present title in 1990. We are a mixed Club welcoming both sexes and people of all ages.
The Club quickly established itself as one of the prominent service Clubs in the Borough and in its first year held a Gala Fete which, over the past 38 years, has become the most successful Fete in the locality and forms a major part of the club’s fund raising. The fete has also assisted many charitable groups to raise funds for their own use. Over 3000 people come each year to enjoy the fun and entertainment.
Through the fete and other fund raising events the Club has raised almost a Quarter of a Million Pounds which has been used to support many local good causes and groups such as the Spelthorne branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Shooting Star, Sam Beare and Princess Alice Hospices, the Surrey Air Ambulance, local Scouts and Guides, Meals on Wheels, Spelthorne Homestart ,Crossroads and Red Cross as well as many environmental projects.
The Club also assisted in the formation of the Spelthorne Talking News which sends tapes to visually handicapped people locally. It also contributed to the building of the Hydrotherapy Pool at Manor Mead School and equipped the chiropody room at Ashford Day Centre. The Club purchased a bus for the use of a local mentally disabled club and helped the Burway Rowing Club with their fund raising for their new HQ.
With other local Lions Clubs we have for the past 15 years organised a Swimming Gala for Disabled People.
We have been very active in most aspects of the local community and continue to do so.
As part of the International family of Lions Club we also support many projects in the Third World such as Eye Camps, to treat those in remote villages who may suffer from eye diseases or ailments, provide Water Wells giving fresh water in places where none exists, and collect used spectacles and dental equipment for use in the developing world. We also support the Special Olympics for the enjoyment of handicapped sports people.
We firmly believe that a good mix of social and service activities make for a happy Club so events for members such as theatre visits, informal dinner evenings and skittle evenings are organised.
The Club welcomes new members and suggestions as to new activities whether service or social. For further information please contact Alastair Joel on 07771 735080 or alastairjoel@btinternet.com.
