DIAMOND HEALTH: Cycle Flint Lions Challenge Fight Prostate Cancer with HRH the Countess of Wessex

7 Y1 AR ANU 16/J DECEMBER LIThe magazinemagazineoofftthehe British andONIrish MultipleMultiple DistriDistrictct of LionsLionsCClubslubs InternationInternationalal AGREATDAY ON THE SLOPES WITH LIONS OF WEST VIRGINIA

CLEVEDON inside... • ‘GIVE AS YOU LIVE’ AND BEAT LIONS 'DREAM BLOOD CANCER SCHEME' • CLUB PROFILE: HEDNESFORD • IN THE CALAIS ‘JUNGLE’: JUAN NUEVO’S VIVID REPORT • LIONS SIGHT AWARENESS WEEK: DAISY’S STORY

CREDIT:STEPHAN GEYER DIAMOND HEALTH: CyCle Flint lions Challenge fight prostate cancer with HRH The Countess of Wessex

Lions Clubs International WE SERVE

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Join the Party of the Century

“I celebrate myself,” the greatpoet Walt Whitman wrote. • Connect with your community by having aCentennial Lions have beendoing alot of that as ourCentennial floatinaparade, donating100 books to the library or approaches in June.Lions in New England saluted our stuffing 100 backpacksfor childrenand include a anniversary on ascoreboard during the Patriot’s first Lionsitem football game thisseason. TexasLions threw abirthday bashatahoteland celebrated withadecorated cake, flags, • Invite new members by holding acelebration luncheon horns and 100 balloons. TheBlandon LionsClub in with communityleaders,ask 100 potential members to Pennsylvania welcomed hundreds of people for free food, attend aservice projector or hostapartywitha1917 or music, raffles and children’sgames andwisely let people 2017 theme. knowwho Lions are and whatwedo. International has Centennialpartysupplies, banners, Age is afunnything. We celebrateevery birthdaywhen posters and flyers. LCIknew our milestone wascoming and young, approach birthdays with hesitancy and black is fully prepared to helpyou party in style! humour in middle-age and then throw on the partyhats onceagain whenweachieve the milestones of lateryears. I’ve talked to manyLions excited about the Centennial, So it hasbeen,and should be, with LionsClubs.Weturn andmultitudesofmembers plantocome to Chicago 3rd 100 only once. Let’s appreciatewho we are and what we’ve June to 4th July for our hugeCentennial convention. done, and let’s be sure to let the publicbeapart of our Pleasetakepart in the celebration. After all, you are who celebration as well. We’re not self-contained, after all. We we are celebrating. exist becauseofneeds in ourneighbourhoods. Let our neighbours joinusinour revelry. Lions makeLions Clubs what it is, of course.Icelebrate myself indeed. Enjoythis special year and thank youfor your service. Hereare some easilyachievable ways to mark our birthday:

• Fly the Lions flag on or before 7th June

• Honour the longest-servingLion in your Clubordistrict

• Make acentennial banner with ‘100’ acrossitand place facesofLions where an ‘O’ is

• Be sure to share your efforts on social media and use #Lions100

• Do aservice project such aCentennial dancemarathon, abirthday cake bake-off or distribute meals to thosein Chancellor Bob Corlew need andincludeaspecial Centennialtreat Lions Clubs International President

MISSION STATEMENT OF LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL: “Toempower volunteers to Serve ON THE WEB: their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage Multiple District 105: www.lionsclubs.co WE SERVE peace and promote international WE SERVE e-mail: [email protected] understanding through Lions Clubs.” Lions Clubs International: www.lionsclubs.org/ www.lionsclubs.co December 2016/January 2017 0003 Editorial As youwill be aware, we have anew editor,Nicky Rogers. Clo has done amagnificent job for us overthe past couple of LION years and we have seen the magazine takeonanew WE SERVE appearance. Iamsure youwill agree that the style is more reader-friendly,evidenced by the manypositivecomments I COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT have heard.Iwould liketothank Clo for all the work she 2015-2016 has done, we will miss her but Iamsure we will meet up in the future. Chairman: John Hall 28 Beacon Road, Bridlington YO16 6UX Igiveabig welcome to Nicky who has worked for Warners Tel: 01262 679 475 (our publisher) for manyyears and has avast amount of Email: [email protected] experience in editing magazines, Iamsure that we will continue to produce afirst-class magazine which we can all Deputy Chairman: Carole Godden be proud of. 1Kingsley Close, TalkePits, StokeonTrent ST7 1RF Tel: 01782 935 609 Don’tforget that the LION is your magazine and is ashop Email: [email protected] windowfor youtoshare those heart-warming experiences with your fellow Lions. Agood story,together with agood EDITOR: picture is the waytoget your articles in the magazine. Warners Group Publications Plc Editor: Nicky Rogers John Hall Tel: 01778 391177 Magazine Committee Chairman Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

ADVERTISING: Warners Group Publications Plc Advertising Manager: Jayne Notley Tel: 01778 391128 Email: [email protected]

Production Co-ordinator: Sue Woodgates Tel: 01778 392062 Email: [email protected] The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH

HELLO (AGAIN) Just ashort note from me, Ihave actually dippedmytoe Patron of the Lions Clubs of the British Isles into Lion already.Iedited the issue just after lovely Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex Margaret retired and Clo took over.Seems ages ago,but going through the stories for this issue reminded me what LIONBritish and IrishEditionispublished by Multiple an inspirational organisation the Lions is. District 105 and printed by Warners (Midlands)plc, on behalf of LionsClubs International, 300 22nd Street, Throughout life, we can bumble along quite engrossed in our Oak Brook, Illinois 60570,USA own ups and downs, butitseems to me that Lions rise above all that minutiae and turn their thoughts and actions OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF LIONS CLUBS to those less fortunate. INTERNATIONAL Alife lesson if ever Iheard one. PUBLISHED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS As John says, do send in your stories for future issues, I’m MULTIPLE DISTRICT SECRETARIAT so looking forward to hearing from you. 257AlcesterRoadSouth,Kings Heath, BirminghamB14 6DT Nicky Rogers Tel: 0121 4414544 Email: [email protected] Lion Editor

04 December2016/January 2017 www.lionsclubs.co COVER STORY Lions guide blind children down the slopes (page 48) Contents

08 Patron 10 Awards &Anniversaries 08 12 Libra

15 Fundraising

20 World

E ‹‹ IL ‹C F L O U

R B

P B

26 Club Profile R

O U

C I

L ‹ E ‹ ‹

28 Lions Community 20

32 Blackpool 2017 Convention

34 Lions News

42 Letters

44 Youth 32

50 Health

54 Sport 58 Obituaries 50 62 Crossword

Interested in becoming aLionsmember? Find out moreat: www.lionsclub.co 08458339502 [email protected]

ARUNDEL CASTLE

Join us on Facebook: LionsClubsBritishIslesandIreland Follow us: @lionsclubsukire 05 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Jointhe Party of the Century

“I celebrate myself,” thegreat poetWalt Whitman wrote. Lions have beendoing alot of that as ourCentennial approaches in June.Lions in New England saluted our anniversary on ascoreboard during the Patriot’s first football game thisseason. Texas Lionsthrewabirthday bashatahoteland celebrated withadecorated cake, flags, hornsand 100balloons.The Blandon Lions Club in Pennsylvania welcomedhundreds of people for free food, music, raffles and children’sgames and wisely let people knowwho Lions are and whatwedo.

Age is afunnything.Wecelebrateevery birthdaywhen young, approach birthdays with hesitancy and black humor in middle-age and then throw on the partyhats partinthe celebration. After all,you are who we are onceagain whenweachieve the milestones of lateryears. celebrating. Lions make Lions Clubs what it is, of course.I So it hasbeen and should be with Lions Clubs. We turn celebratemyselfindeed. Enjoythis special year and thank 100 only once. Let’s appreciate who we are and what youfor your service. we’ve done,and let’s be sure to let the public be apart of our celebration as well.We’renot self-contained, after all. We exist becauseofneeds in our neighborhoods. Let our neighbors joinusinour revelry.

Hereare some easily achievable ways to mark our birthday: fly theLions flag on or before June 7. Honor the longest-serving Lion in your club or district. Makea centennial banner with “100” across it andplace facesof Chancellor Bob Corlew Lions where an “O” is. Be suretoshare your efforts on Lions Clubs International President social media anduse #Lions100.

Do aservice project such aCentennial dancemarathon,a birthdaycakebake-off or distributemealstothoseinneed andincludeaspecial Centennial treat. Connectwith your communitybyhaving aCentennialfloat in aparade, donating 100 books to thelibrary or stuffing 100 backpacks for childrenand include aLions item.Invite new members by holding acelebrationluncheon with communityleaders, ask100 potential memberstoattend aserviceprojector or host apartywitha1917 or 2017 theme.

Youdon’thave to devise your ownCentennial materials. Club Supplies at LionsClubs International has Centennial party supplies, banners,posters and flyers. LCIknew our milestonewas coming andisfullypreparedtohelp you partyinstyle!

I’vetalked to manyLions excited about the Centennial, and multitudes of members plan to cometoChicagoJune 3toJuly 4for our huge Centennial convention. Pleasetake

06 December2016/January 2017 www.lionsclubs.co and) otl (Sc SC039479 and s) le Wa and nd

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few decades ago. Wa © edit cr o Phot But people like Esnart (pictured) are the 1 in 10 still drinking dirty water. And we’re determined to reach them.

This Christmas will your club bring not only water, but hope to people like Esnart?

Donate now at www.wateraid.org/esnart2016, by calling 020 7793 4594 or by sending a cheque payable to ‘WaterAid’ to 47-49 Durham Street, London, SE11 5JD. Patron

Whataweek! My Fellow Lions

It seemshard to believethat my Ihave seen first-hand how the Award Palace to an incredible welcome from Diamond Cycle Challenge has come and affects young people all overthe world my VERY patient family,friends and gone. Ayear in the planning and seven in the same way. No matter what their supporters.The senseofachievement monthstraining all to be overina background,ithas the sameimpact. It was, and still is, of hugepride to me week. But what aweek it was! offers themexperiences they never and Ihope reflectsthe sense of pride thought they would have,gives them each young person feels when We had the most wonderful send-off confidence they never imagined and completing their DofE, particularly at from The Palace of Holyrood House in challenges theminwaysthey didn’t Gold level. Edinburgh, with my husband,father-in- thinkwas possible. They come away lawand some inspirational young with better communicationskills, THANK YOU LIONS peopletowave us off.Imustconfess confidence and agenuine sense of Iwould liketosay ahuge thank youto that at this point, the fear wasgreater achievement. It gives them adefinite all Lions who have supported me than the excitement, but nonetheless, ‘leg up’ in aworld where getting ahead throughout this challenge, championed my team and Iwere looking forward to can be difficult, and manybusinesses the cause and raised thousands of the week ahead. From that moment are now recognising the DofE as the poundsfor the DofE. Imay have on, with the help of the bright blue most important non-academic completed my challenge but for many skies, the team camaraderie and qualification for ayoung person to have young people out there, life is one big several helpings of cake, the days on their CV. challenge. Ibelievethat every young slipped by quickly, as did the beautiful person should have the opportunity to sceneryand villages we cycled through. OPPORTUNITIES be the best that they can be and the Forthose for whom life hasn’tdealtthe money and awareness youhave helped HELPING TO CHANGE LIVES kindest of cards it represents areal me raise will do just that. Every morning we met several young opportunitytoturn things around and My heartfelt thanks to you all. DofE Award participants, which served in manycases it has even savedlives. as agreat reminderofwhy Iwas doing How it achieves this is simple, the this challenge in the first place. Despite young peopleare shown the way, but Sophie the immense fun we had overthe every achievement is their own, HRH The Countess of Wessex course of the week, Iwas doing this for thereforethey own the outcome. avery serious reason, to ensurethat Patron, Lions Clubs the life-changing DukeofEdinburgh’s Ishall never forgetthe immensethrill International,BritishIsles Award can reach as manyyoung people of cyclingdown the Malland arriving &Ireland as possible and help to change lives. through the gates of Buckingham

08 December2016/January 2017 www.lionsclubs.co Patron

PICTURED: Cycling down the Mall

PICTURED: Crossing the finish line PICTURED: The team

PICTURED: Fuelled by cake

PICTURED: Crossing the border www.lionsclubs.co December 2016/January 2017 09 AwArds &AnniversAries 75 Years Of Wedded Bliss

Bettyand Albert Fendall of Eastbourne celebrated their75th PICTURED: Albert wedding anniversary with close friends in September.Albert, now and Betty Fendall celebrating their 75th 97, joined the civilian staff of the AdmiraltyatWoolwichArsenal wedding anniversary in 1936. He stayedwith the Admiraltyuntil the end of the Second World Warwhen he became ahigher executiveofficer to Customs and Excise.

In 1941,Betty(now 94) and Albert were married at Westerham in Kent and in 1946, their only child, Anthony, wasborn. After movingaround the country they spent manyyears in the Dartford area before settling in Eastbourne in 1994.Albert helped form theLions ClubofDartford in 1979 and with Betty, supported numerous LionsClubs International charityprojects.

On moving to Eastbourne, Albert transferred to the Lions Clubof Eastbournewhere he still regularly attends meetings.

Manycards and goodwishes were delivered and speeches of thanks were givenbyAlbert and Anthony.

Glanford & Lindsey Silver Anniversary When Glanford &LindseyLions recently celebrated their 25th Charter anniversary,they made the occasion extraspecial by presenting three longstanding memberswithMelvin Jones PICTURED: Pictured with Lion Fellowship Awards. Hearty congratulations go to President Sue Carter areLions Bob Wilmot (far left), Marilyn eachone of the trio,their awards areindeed, Graves and Denis Cator welldeserved.

WindsorLions RecogniseTop Man! Windsor Lionshas awardedLion Mark the event attended by some 600 riders It is estimated thatintotal, the event Fraser with aMelvyn Jones Fellowship. from all overthe country and it raised has raised more than £2million for The award recognises the huge over£40,000, all of which will be national and local goodcauses. contribution Lion Mark has made to distributed to the local community. Windsor Lionsand the local community When the PresidentofWindsor Lions, for his outstanding achievement of The horseride, held in the glorious Lion David Voyce, presented the award successfully managing the Club’s surroundings of Windsor Great Park, was to LionMark, he said: “Lion Mark’s annualhorseride for the past twentyor first started by Lion Peter Vaughan in achievement with the horseride is so years. 1962 and became ahit at the outset. considerable and we are all indebted to Lion Mark took overthe management of him. Atop award for atop man!” The horseride is the biggest fundraiser the event when Lion Peter retired andhe of the Club’sannual calendar.This year workstirelessly to ensure it is asuccess.

10 December2016/January 2017 www.lionsclubs.co DOES YOUR BACK ACHE WHEN SITTING? You need a Backfriend®

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could benefit from one, back pain or not. Post Code: ✂ Fundraising ‘Give as Real Ale Festiva you Live’ Lifesaving Fund

LIBRA recentlyreceived £2,000ataspecial cheque presentation with representatives from Braintree Lions and Beat Club, followingaReal Ale Festivalthat attracted more thanone 1,000 peoplefrom across thesouth. LIBRA wasselectedasone of two major beneficiaries of the popular event by Club members. Blood The festival washeld across three days in June 2016at the BockingArts Theatre in Essex. Visitorsconsumed 50 barrels of beerand 12 casks of cider between them. To mark the event’s success,Lion Tony Day, who helpedtoorganisethe festival, Cancer arranged aspecial celebrationand cheque Shop online for Christmas and presentation with LIBRA PR Officer, Claire Allaker. New Year AND RAISE FUNDS TO BEAT BLOOD cancer. Immediate Past President of Braintree Lions Club, Tony Day, said:“We have alwayssupported LIBRAand we Every itemyou buy online thisChristmas and normally just senddonations, but throughout 2017 can helpraise fundsfor the Lions thisyear we decidedtodo InternationalBlood Research Appeal (LIBRA). Easy something morefor this great and quick to install, ‘Giveasyou Live’ allowsyou Lions appeal. to do your shopping at all your favourite online stores and support the essential work being “Oneofour Club members has a undertakenbyKing’sCollege Hospital in London to blood disorder so we understand beatblood disorders and cancers. justhow important LIBRA is whenit comes to raising fundsthat benefit The good news is thatitisn’tjust for Christmas– patientslikehim. We know that the it can be used all year round! Youcan use Giveas £2,000 willbeput to gooduse by the youLive, apopular fundraising price comparison Haematology DepartmentatKing’s site, to ensure youget the best deal on College Hospital. anything from holidays,utilities, clothes, to householdessentials. “This year markedour 12thannual Real Ale Festival and we offered agreat selection of Makeyourpurchasefrom over3,500 retailers beverages, mainlyfrom small local breweries including Amazon, eBay, M&S,Sainsbury’sand fromEssex andthe southcoast. We are pleased JohnLewis. Apercentage of the valuewill be that we wereable to raiseasubstantial amount for donated to LIBRA without costing you apenny. LIBRA and thatitreally will makeadifferenceto patientswithblood disorders.” Every pennyraised will go to the Haematology Department at King’ssothat new lifesaving Claire Allaker, LIBRA PR Officer,added:“On behalf of treatments for patientswith blooddisorders and the LIBRATrustees Iwould liketothankBraintree Lions Club for choosing LIBRA as abeneficiaryofthe Real Ale cancers can be created. Please support LIBRA this Festival. It is events likethese thatreally help to raise Christmasand buy your lovedones’ gifts thatkeep awareness of LIBRA andour missiontohelp King’s on giving long afterthey have been received. tackle bloodcancers and disorders. We are most All youneed to do is sign up at: gratefulfor the funds raised and they will directly benefit patients at the hospital.” www.give.as/charity/libra

12 December2016/January 2017 www.lionsclubs.co PICTURED: (L-R) Immediate Past val Raises President of Braintree Lions Club, Tony Day with Claire nds Allaker,LIBRA PR Officer

You can help If youwould liketosupport LIBRA, please visit: www.libralionscharity.org to find out how youcan get involved.

www.lionsclubs.co December 2016/January 2017 13 Personalised

John Bull 1911

Easter Eggs CONFECTIONERS EST • Ideal for raffles • Made with real Belgian chocolate • Personalised FREE of charge • Supplied to many Lions Clubs throughout the country special offer Giant egg shown costs £22.14 + P&P *Teddy design may vary (Min. 1Kg of Milk Chocolate) CONTACT SALES AT: John Bull Confectioners, Lancaster Road, Carnaby, YO15 3QY T: 01262 426232/678525 F: 01262 426232/605588 E: [email protected]

Over the past four years, Lions Clubs have funded an incredible 31,000 hours of nursing care and support for people living with a terminal illness, and their families.

The Great Daffodil Appeal is one of the B808 biggest fundraising events you can be otland)

a part of and now there are more ways (Sc than ever to get involved. You can host collections or place daffodil boxes in local SC038731 businesses or both! s), le Wa Find out more & (England Contact your local fundraiser at rie mariecurie.org.uk/lions Cu 207994 /Marie no. g re caniz Al Charity Inigo Fundraising

Community Car Raffle The Lions Club of Bletchley and MK CommunityFoundation, are working with Volkswagen Group (UK) Ltd again this year.The Lions Club of Bletchley are selling raffle tickets in MK Centre up until 23rd December.VWhas donated abrand-new car every year since 1989 as the first prizeofMKCommunityFoundation's CommunityCar Raffle, this enables local charities to raise their own funds and profile their vital work in the community, as always, the Lions Clubs will giveevery pennythat is donated,tocharity.

Don’tForget The Donkeys

It can be hard to find asuccessful fund raiser,but Leatherhead Lions have found one after celebrating its third year of “A Donkey DerbyDay”.

So what does it need:

• Firstly,awell-known and popular venue − that being the National Trust grounds of Polesden Lacey near Dorking,

• Secondly,anincentivetocome − free entry and parking with lots of entertainment for the young with facilities for children,

• Thirdly,agroup of 12 racing donkeys − from alocal breeder in Godalming, and • Fourthly,anenthusiastic group of Lion members from Leatherhead and other local clubs to setup and the stage the day.

All set then and on aSundayinSeptember it all happened; 6,000 peopleattended, raising receipts of £7,000 from avarietyofevents including donkey racing complete with aTOTE, adog show,Punch & Judy show,aminiature railway,swing boats, amassivefood court and manycommercial stalls.

Jim Malynn, Lion President, said: “It washard work but worthwhile, as we raised valuable fundsfor communityprojects. I’d recommend other Lion Clubs to approach your local National Trust venue with an idea to encourage younger people, rather than the regularcrowd to attend an

event. It has worked for us and it is now an annual event on Polesden ›› PICTURED: Lacey’scalendar. Donkeys arevital... www.lionsclubs.co December 2016/January 2017 15 Fundraising 'Blind Walking' – Lions Sight Awareness Week

Clevedon Lions supported Lions Sight see the dangers ahead of you or the know where your bowl or cup was on Awareness Week by organising an beautiful things all around you that we the table, you might try to cut up your obstacle course in the local town take for grantedevery day. Aworld soup instead of your sausages! square. They invited members of the where darkness is all around. Imagine public to be blindfolded, then, with aworld where you can't see. Iexperienced not being able to see club members assisting, helped them when Ijoined the Lions in Queens walk the course to try to appreciate If you can't see anything, you would Square to do an obstacle course whilst the problems experienced by visually have to rely on your senses such as blindfolded. Inow understand about impaired people. smelling, feeling,touching andhearing them and how you could help them. (most people who are blind develop The obstacles included walking up things like good hearing). You would It feels scary not knowing where steps, around chairs and pouring have to rely on other people (and you're going. It also makes you want to feel everything to make sure you're water into ajug − all very challenging your guide dog if you have one) to in the dark. One participant, Daisy Kell guide you. going the right way. It made me feel (7) went home after the event then cautious and careful as well. wrote this wonderful story about The challenges would be that you her experience. would not know whether you are stepping on apath or apile of leaves, PICTURED: Clevedon Lions during their Sight Awareness Week

Local supporter of Lions, Mark Ball, in apuddle or around apuddle, in the ›› who lost his sight afew years ago, sea or on the beach. You wouldn't wasonhand to talk through the issues with the public. Mark wasa recent speaker at the Club's charter lunch where he acceptedadonation to the local Blind Support charity. Clevedon Lions also run aPartially Sighted Club each month, where local visually impairedpeople are collected from their homes for avarietyof social events.

TRANSCRIPT OF DAISY’S STORY: Imagine aworld where colour is a stranger to you, aworld where no light is to be seen, aworld where you can't

Valiant Lion Lion KeithLawson-West of Oadbyand WigstonLions is a all he could and by spreading therequest for help,found trusteeofaLeicester charity,which helps some of the someonewith akitchen to donate. most marginalisedpeople in the City. Whenthe charity hadtofindnew premises to rentand fit out, he turned to Lion Keith said: “I have been aLionnow for over35years theLions’network for help. and Iamevenmore positiveasaLion now thanthe dayI joined. Rather thanstandonthe side-lines; think of Lion Demonstrating immensecourage and epitomisingthe Martin andhis example of continuing to serve to theend, strength of aLion, aterminallyill Market Harborough despite his circumstances.Whatagreat organisation.” Lion, MartinHill, who knew he had only weekstolive, did

16 December2016/January 2017 www.lionsclubs.co Fundraising

Furness Lions Help Katie Furness Lions Lion President, Jim Rhodes, with Lion Sheila Rockley,presented acheque for £1,500 to Katie Maitchell andher parents, Annlouise and Shaun.

Katie has Lissencephaly,arare brain condition, so she is profoundly disabled and needs a feeding tube, oxygen and specialist equipment. She also needs aspecially adapted wheelchair

which costs £2,605 and her familyhave raised PICTURED: Furness Lions with money by doing several outdoor activities. Katie and her mum and dad District Governor’s Charity Appeal in the South West In Cornwall, Devon and Somerset there are seven adult hospices, caring for adults and their families who are in need of respite or loving terminal care.

Hospices are alwaysunder pressure to raise funds to ensuretheir continued good work in the communities.Atthe Lion’sDistrict Autumn Forum,Tamsin Thomas from Cornwall HospiceCare talked to Lions about her work. Following this impressivepresentation Lesley Clarke, the then District Governor of the Lions South West asked all 59 Lions Clubs in 105SW to raise money for this deserving cause.

At the end of ayear of fundraising, South West Lions presented over £12,500 to their respectivelocal adult hospices.

PICTURED: North Devon Hospice presentation ››

PICTURED: Weston Hospice Carepresentation PICTURED: St Lukes Hospice presentation PICTURED: Cornwall Hospice presentation www.lionsclubs.co December 2016/January 2017 17 Fundraising Vital Shropshire Cancer Unit Gets Financial Boost From Lions Members and friends of Ironbridge and Severn Gorge Lions visited the Lingen Davies Cancer Centreatthe Royal Shrewsbury Hospital recently,topresent a cheque for £500 to RadiotherapyManager, Louise Killey.The money will go towards the purchase of anew Linear Accelerator for the unit.

Ironbridge Lions Club President, John Marsh, said: “Wewere given a tour of the centreand Idon’tthink any of us had realised just how amazing the PICTURED: (L-R) John Marsh (President of Ironbridge Lions), Louise Killey (Lingen work they do there is, or how important Davies unit Radiotherapy Manager) and the unit is for cancer patients in the area.” Jill Marsh (Treasurer of Ironbridge Lions)

It’sa‘Pockout’ The Bank Holiday fun of ‘It’saPockout’was aKNOCKOUT for thePocklington District Lions Club, who heldafree family fun dayinthe town,hosted by KeithChegwin.

There wasareal buzz in Pocklington as town crier,Geoff Shearsby,Keith Chegwinand Pockothe Lion Mascot, wereled by the York Pipe Band as the games contestants paraded throughthe town andinto the gamesarena.

Graham Gillyon, Past President of Pocklington DistrictLions and theClubsgame's makers' were pleased with thesupport of local businesses and the fearless teams of competitors − everyonewho attended, helped to makethe event so special for the Lions,who were raisingfunds to support MacMillan Cancer Care, YorkshireAir Ambulance, MenCap,The MS Society and HeartResearch UK.

Llandrindod Wells Lions Club Hearing Dogs Appeal In response to Centennial Officer,LionElaineKitchen’s Training through the winter waschallenging. Forthe last two appeal formembers to raise fundsfor HearingDogs for Deaf sessions, theweather turned against them, when high winds, People by completing aseriesofmarathons, Lion Vic Everill sleet and cold, made it too dangerous to complete the andpartner Ann Harman have completedthe Blackpool and intendedmileage of 17 and20miles. Edinburghmarathons and theCardiffhalf marathon. Sheila Lannon and her hearing dog, Aster,along withHearing Although for several years they hadenjoyedlong distance Dogs for Deaf People representative, PatBarlow,accepted a andchallengewalks,they had not run at all untillast year, cheque for £1,200 from Deputy President, MaureenDodds, when Ann completed theLondonmarathon(aged 72). and Past President,Jim Moor,ofLlandrindodWellsLions.

18 December2016/January 2017 www.lionsclubs.co Fundraising

PICTURED: (L-R) Jennifer &Jim Cawte, Lady Walpole, Carol Plunkett (EACH), LordWalpole, Wendy and David Judd (EACH North Norfolk Friends Fundraising Committee who organised the event) with the Royal Mail van Jen and Jim’sAwfully Big Adventure! In May, Jim Cawte and Jennifer set off from Wymondham ‘milestone’ destination of Land’sEnd. By day11, they were Market PlaceinJim’s33year-old Post Office vantoface homeward bound, after an amazing journey where they their ‘JOGLE’ challenge. (‘JOGLE’ is shortfor John O’Groats met lovely people, sawbreath-taking scenery,and to Land’sEnd for the uninitiated.) importantly,raisedmoney for avery worthycause.

They were raising funds forEastAnglian Children’sHospices The trip culminated at an open dayinaid of EACH where (EACH)‘nook’ appeal, to build anew unit for the children. Lady Walpole accepted the presentation cheque on behalf The existingunit is partofaconvent and reallyjust an of EACH. adapted set of rooms as in ahouse,rather than afacilityfor caring for youngsters with terminal illness. Jen and Jim thank everyone who wished them well on their travels and gave so generously. The pair’s aim waswas to raise £2,000 for the EACH nook Jen and Jim’s vital statistics: appeal − about £1 for each mile travelled. Theymade John O’Groats by daythree and by dayseven, they began to • 1,855 miles, realise what achallenge they’d taken on –astheirbeloved • 241 litres fuel, and vanisautilityvehicle and not built for comfort! Fully rested and raringtogobyday eight, they reached the second • £4,350 raised!

Swaffham and District Sight Awareness Day

Forthe third year running Swaffham Lions held their Sight Awareness Dayaspart of the Lions International Sight Week and National Guide Dogs for the Blind Week. Setting up in Swaffham Market Place with information about issues that confront blind and partially sighted people, secondly to talk on preventable eyedisease and what Lions Clubs locally and internationally do about it.

To highlight the problems of blind and partially sighted people have walking around town, the MayorofSwaffham, Paul Darby, agreed to walk around the town centre with aspecialblindfold fitted. With the aid of aguide, Paul walked around the town, followed by three guide dogs with their owners. Following the one hour tour of the town, the major problems highlighted by the Mayorwere advertising Aframes on the pavement and parked cars with alarge overhang which encroached on the path. Streetbollards and café furniture also caused problems. Now having an understanding of the issues, Paul will see what council can do to ease these problems. www.lionsclubs.co December 2016/January 2017 19 LCIF IMPACT Improving Literacy in South Sudan

In war-torn South Sudan,women and girls often walk milestowells. Thenthey wait in long lines for hoursbefore carrying aheavy jug of water back to theirfamilies. This essential task leaveslittle time for school.

The pressing daily need to collect water has disastrous consequences. South Sudan has the lowest female literacy rate in the world. Not surprisingly,italso has the world’shighest maternal mortalityrate. Research by UNICEF shows astrongrelationshipbetween amother’s education and the health of her children. In South Sudan,girls are more likely to die of pregnancy complicationsthan they are to complete primary education. One in 10 children dies beforethe age of five.

Lions and LCIF are supporting acreative, practical solution to SouthSudan’s literacy challenges. LCIF awarded aCore 4grant to Literacy at the Well (LATW).The non-profit uses the time spent waiting in line to teach women and girls how to read and write. Those who learn at the well can then takethe lessons home to theirfamilies. LATW recruits, trains and hires localteachers to lead the programme.

Established in the United States, LATW has been operating in Northern Bahr el Ghazal in South Sudansince2008. LCIF’sfunds are supporting the ever-increasing demand for literacy programming in PICTURED: Literacy at the Well Aweil, the most heavily populated cityinNorthern teaches women and children to Bahr el Ghazal. read while they wait in long lines at community water wells LATW’sAweilWomen’sLeadershipCentre provides educationfor morethan 1,000 women and girls each week. killed tens of thousands, but the agreementwas never fully The centre is used not only to teach reading, writing and implemented,and at the timeofgoing to press, more English,but also to trainfuture instructors and to provide fighting wastaking place. literacy instruction for communitygroups likepolice and The dire conditions makethe Lions’efforts even more health workers. critical. Raisingthe nation’s literacy rate can lead to The challenges in South Sudanare immense. Located in economic growth and serve as acornerstone of democracy. East-Central Africa, it has been described as “the world’s Families that can read are healthier,less vulnerable to mostfailedstate.”Decades of warinSudan destroyedthe oppression,more likely to succeed and moreable to help area’sinfrastructure and only ahandful of regions have others in their community. running water,electricity,clinics, schoolsorpavedroads.

The nation gained its independence in 2011. SouthSudan’s peace deal, signed in August 2015, wassupposed to end the country’slatest civil warthat beganinDecember 2013 and

20 December2016/January 2017 www.lionsclubs.co World

Open Wide Adental hygienist member of Easingwold District Lions Club has returned from a volunteering trip in Zimbabwe where she worked with the Lions partner charity, Dentaid.

Lion Cheryl McBroom waspart of a dentist and are living in pain.The DENTISTRY BY TORCHLIGHT team of four who travelled to the Dentaid volunteers worked alongsidea As word got roundabout the Dentaid troubled country to provide oral health local dentist to provideanoutreach team’svisit, 200 people gatheredat educationand emergency dentistry for clinic in Mutoko, where they saw Chinoyi hospital asking for free dental people who have no other access to 47 patients and gave oral health treatment.“In areally busy daywe dental care. The team worked in advice to 400 children who received removed130 badly decayedteeth,” schools, hospitals, remote villages and toothbrushes and stickers.The team said Cheryl. “The chair,drills and light even astoreroom, treating hundreds of also ranaclinic at ahealth centre near had stopped working so we shone patientsand teachingpeoplehow to Chionyi, working in adustystoreroom torches into their mouths. It wasl look aftertheirteeth. using portable Dentaid chair and ong daybut very rewarding helping ordinarywoodenchairs. The team used to get as manypeopleaspossible out Zimbabwe is rich in minerals and fertile apressure cooker to sterilise their of pain.” land,with apopulation that has the instruments and had to work extremely highestliteracy rate in Africa, yetthe carefully as the HIV rate in the area is Cheryl wassponsored by her club nationisonthe verge of collapse with one in four.Childrenatalarge school EasingwoldDistrict Lions, dental the economycontracting instead of were given fluoride treatment to companies and her familyand friends, growing and widespread unrest. As a protect them against tooth decayand which enabled her to takeextradental result, manypeople have never seen a also,oralhealth advice. suppliestoZimbabwe. www.lionsclubs.co December 2016/January 2017 21 Jungle Story

Juan Nuevo, President of Chipping Sodbury Lions Club, has been to the ‘Jungle’ refugee camp in Calais. He thought he was well prepared to be overwhelmed by this horrific humanitarian crisis, but he wasn’t. The sights he saw and the conversations he had were brutal. It’s even hard to simply read about.

PICTURED: The Calais ‘Jungle’ where downpours can wipe everything away

22 December2016/January 2017 www.lionsclubs.co World

Iwanted to visit the refugee camp to see for myself and to do what Lions do best;serveour fellowhuman beings.I joined Lionsbecause Iwas convinced that Lions and LCIF giveusaperfect platform to influenceand bring meaning and hopeindisastrous situations. Sometimes Ithinkissoeasy to put aten poundnote in acollection, and think that we have done our bit.

If I’m honest Ididn’t know where to start to write this storyand it’s taken me along time to do.Sometimes, with an experience as emotiveasmytrip to Calais, maybe it’s best to sit on it for a week or so and see what bits stayin your mind,those will be the most important thingstowrite about.

Onething is certain.I’m left with PICTURED: Juan Nuevo, images so vivid, thatitfeels as if Iwas President of Chipping there only yesterday. Knowing how SodburyLions Club close it is to me, to all of us here in the UK, it’s impossible to forget the squalor dayweserved about 600cups of tea that is being ignored by so manyofus. Aman approached and coffee in about fivehours. During my four days in the ‘Jungle’,just “ me, he pointed at I’d been warned that mightall get abit 37 minutes from Calais, Iexperienced overwhelming, so Iwas prepared for surges of extremeemotion. From my Lions that, but Ididn’tfeel it. Not at all. After feelinguseful and proud of the International Crest talking to someofthe men that came difference our team made when we and said: “Lions are around the vanfor afew minutes,Ifelt arrived and got stuck in, to charged relaxed and comfortable. anger that Ihad to hold back, to a good people sadness so deep,that Ifelt likesobbing. Our station wasjust next to the main ” entrance of themain camp and camp From Dover, it tookjust over two and life wasbusy.Volunteerswere coming debriefing meetings and preparation half hours to get to the Jungle. It’s so in and out of the campcontinually so it wouldn’tbesostrongwhen faced with close, and even thoughIknew that, it felt likeacommunity that had been the realityofthe situation.That I’d see still shocked me. Ihad expected to there for along time. Some residents something that might changemymind. drivethroughsecuritygates to get in, had been there along time of course, but there wasnothing. After passing and some had just arrived. The camp the night in acampsitenearby,weset “Hey, tHis is my friend” is full of happyfaces on people just As we parked, ‘Mr T’ wasthere to great off the next morning towards thecamp. getting on with it. Ifelt strange,I us. As we started to servetea coffee Then out of nowhere, the camp just wanted to keep saying things like“this and biscuits, Ibegan chatting to a appears. Asea of tents,mountainsof is great”,“that’s brilliant”, “how young man on abike. He wassmiling rubbish. Youdrivedown, takealeft, amazing” in reference to the amount and happy. This wasnot what I park the car and are in. It’s completely of volunteers, and to the movement of expected to see.Ihad expected hordes open for anyone to get rightinto the people around the camp.But, I of young men in hoodies, who would heartofit. couldn’tsay that, because none of it come up to ask me what Ihad for wasgreat, brilliant or amazing. It was them. I’d expected to see drama Iwas nervous as Iarrived. I’d spent all completely sad when Ireally instantly.What kind of drama, I’m not the previous month organising, thought it through. planning and thinking about it and Ifelt sure. But Ididn’texpect the firstthing I that theresponsibility wasquite heard to be: “Hey, this is my friend”, CONDITIONS WERE HIDEOUS overwhelming. Ifaced the possibility which is what Fiona said when we got that Imightnot feelthe way I start serving.The young men smiled The wooden huts would providelittle presumed Iwould when Iarrived, and and wavedand they giveeach other a shelter when the weather turned. that worried me greatly. Iwas scared I hug. He wassohappy. We gave him a Downpours would wipe out the field. would be frightened, threatened, even cup of coffeeand abiscuit and he was Beds would be drenchedinmud, the appalled.That the huge amount of so grateful. From the momentwe air get so cold the children wouldn’tbe sympathyI’d felt throughout my started the queue didn't stop.The first able to sleep, and the conditions were ›› www.lionsclubs.co December 2016/January 2017 23 for help.AsIwas talking to ayoung man another man approached me, he pointed at my Lions International Crest and said: “Lionsare good people.”I asked how he knew about Lions International, he took his mobile phone from his pocket and said that while at sea, he lost his phone charger and that aLion gave him his own charger.

Another man,aged around30, from Afghanistan, with aquiet voice, put his hand on my shoulder and asked me for boots. All he had where flip-flopson his feet, and Icould see how demoralisedhefelt askingmefor them.Idirected him to avan where men were queuing for shoes.He looked so happyatthe thought of getting new shoes.

One thing we noticed while we were in Calaisisthat the refugees were pleased to see us, theyknew we were there helping and they were very grateful.

UNREST Every eveningnear the church, avan from avolunteer organisations gives out boxesof walking boots and shoes,and supplies were passed out to all nationalities: Sudanese, Eritrean, Syrian to name afew. ›› so hideous that the parents would fear for their families’ lives. So,that’s how we spent the day, serving tea and coffee to The mainroad through the camp was people who didn’t have shoes thickmud with puddles too deep to on, or whose trousers looked walk through. Although somepeople filthy, someofthem just lived in built shelters rather than tents, wearing asimple t-shirtand it would all be futile in bad weather. shorts. We asked them how But, that wasthe best they would they were, tried to find out what ever get. their plans were and where they camefrom. Someofusmixed Iwas impressedbythe positivityand withthe refugees playing chess the drive, but all Icould thinkwas how PICTURED: 600 cups of and playing the guitar etc. will these peoplewill survive the tea and coffee in five winter? That's if thecamp survives as hours On the Friday, there wasunrest at the time of my visit, prospects of its just outside of arestaurant. demolition increased. (The Jungle at so they can get clothes, underwear, Frenchpolice in riotgear had shown Calaiswas closed by the French cosmetics and sanitaryprotection. up.Behindthem wasaswarm of authoritieson4th November 2016, There is alibrary with books and where volunteers and refugees filmingthem when around 6,000 refugeeswere teachingfor adults takes place. We on their phones. If there wastobe bussed to new centres all wanderedafew minutes through the trouble then it would be captured on around France.) site to see it − dirtyand bleak, camera, no-one innocent wasgoing to but active. get theblamefor anythingthey didn’t There wasamakeshift churchacross do.Daysbefore, the French police has the street where we parked. Some It wasobvious to all that Iwas a used tear gas on agroup of refugees days it becomes awomen-only space volunteer,sopeople approached me as they hung around by the sideofthe ››

24 December2016/January 2017 www.lionsclubs.co World

›› road.The attackhad caused great There are more men than women in the moment my trip turned. The unrest in the camp. The French police Calais.Some sentahead of their reality. As if the lenses of acamera haven’tbeen seen to be very families to get to the UK, sometrying zoomedonto the camp.This is the compassionate. Accordingtoreports, to reach their families who are already most intense story of what could have this has been one of the main reasons there. Someyoungand fit,some been asudden deaththat Icould that the refugees don’twant to seek middle-aged and weak. But not many ever imagine. asyluminFrance. elderly.None that Isaw.Were they too weaktoattempt the journey,ordid Istarted to ask everyone Ispoketo Once we finished our dutyonSaturday they just not makeit? Maybe a how they planned to get to Britain. evening, we parked the vanand we mixture of both. The journey to Calais “Jump”.“We jump at the other end.” walked intothe hèart of the camp. is brutal. Manypacked, cheek-to- “Do youhave plans?” Iasked one of Tent after tent wascrammedin. Some cheek, in the back of lorries for days the Kurds while waiting for his cup of on higher ground, someatpath level on end. No food,nowater,nobreaks. coffee.“Yes, we have the same plan that are flooded from justaspot of Somethrough dangerousseas. Likea every evening,”replies, aKurdish gentle rain. Some tents were so small, soul-destroying rush hour that would Englishteacher.Hehad awry and sad that Ipresumed they were for drive us all to despair.Your relatively smile on his face as he asked for more supplies, only to be horrified to realise short commute shouldfeel likea sugar in his coffee. they often housed multiple adults. One breezenext time youtakeit, when tent had two tomato plants growing at imaginingthe endless mission these the outside. desperate people have been on. SEE YOU THERE We climbedtothe top of asand dune Our timeisup. The goodbye is long where atower of protest had been JUMP and difficult.Not once since we arrived built in the recent days. The tower Aman hobbled up to us and he shook had anyofthe dozens we met asked faces GreatBritainand it has abig my hand.Hetold me his legswere for astowaway lift in our boot, a sign saying ‘WeLoveHumanity’. getting betterand that he’ll be well Kurdishschoolteacher with perfect enough to “try again soon”. Both his English, senses our shameand tries to NO ONEKIND OF REFUGEE legsbrokeafew monthago when he placate it. “Wedon't say, 'See you jumped on to amoving train in an later',”hesays, smiling. “Wesay Istopped and chatted to people as I attempt to get to England. This was instead: 'See youthere'.” walked. “Howare you? Where are you from? How long have youbeen here?” Quickly,Icame to understand that this wasnot ajust Syrian camp,but many nationalities were there, and for just as manyreasons.

We sawagroup of men lightingafire just outside alarge sheltermade of tarpaulin. They were cook abig pan of chicken and they talked to us as we walked past. Alittle further into the campand another firewas burning to keep people warm as the evening drew in and the temperature dropped dramatically.They had littlefirewood but used what they had to be comfortable.

Now Iunderstand better than ever, that there is no one kind of refugee in thishorrific humanitarian crisis.There are all colours, all creedswith all sorts of different stories. We have to stop generalising,and acting as if ‘they’ are allthe same. That theyare all from thesame place, reaching for the same thing. Other than just ‘a better life’, the incentivesvary so much.Iwant to see fathers reunited with their children,husband and wives reunited

after years of been separated by PICTURED: New friends disgraceful and horrific situations.

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Each issue this section will focus on aClub, their history and what they’ve been up to recently. To appear on this page, please encourage your President or Press and PR Officer to email [email protected] with information and photographs (in ahigh resolution JPEG format). Hednesford Lions Club: The StorySoFar As GMT Chairman for 105-BS, it is Graham Stanyer’s job to start new Clubs, he says it’s a challenging but arewarding task. Here, he describes the decision process.

I sat in apleasant café in Hednesford’shigh Street with my All waswell until Istood to speak. As Idid so,abrass band wif D.O. Beverley and Iblurted out :“I’d love to start aLions sprang into action! It waspractise night in the room next door Club here!” so Iwas competingagainst them and in truth, waslosing. Well, everyone laughed and before long, we were all Cannock (myClub) and Burntwood and Rugeley,were all socialising − we could see anew Club Branch in the making separate communities having theirown identities. Following and the band playedon! the coal-mine closuresand manyyears of decay, the town seemed to be on the up again. Re-generation money had helped. With lots of new housing, flats and abrand new NEXT CHAPTER supermarket planned, there wasabuzz in the air and it would Robert Blount, Vice President for Hednesford surely benefit from having its own Lions Club. Centennial Lions Club, takes up the story now and describes the next stages in the formation of “Are there needs for one, is there povertyaround?” asked the Club. Beverley.Just then an old lady passed by wearing atorn mac and atattyumbrella, the rain lashed down and she looked a Everyone at the great Meet the Lions evening, that Graham poor soul. ”There is the answer,” Isaid. described, were invited to join Cannock Lions at their next business meeting, upcoming event and finally the first Now Ihad to convince my club Cannock, themselves only four Hednesford Lions Branch Club meeting. years old, to sponsor the idea. The first meeting wasattendedbyeight potential members, After much discussion with the membershipcommittee, seven of whom chartered with us at the start of the year,they headed by Mark Wyton, members voted to support the began the Hednesford Lions journey with aclear vision of formationanew Club Branch in Hednesford. what they wanted to achieve, who needed their support and Aleaflet drop of 2,000 houses plus posters around town how they could provide for the local community.Only eight produced ahealthyturnout of 14 prospectivemembers to the months later,Hednesford Lions Branch Club wasformed, as ‘Meet the Lion’ evening. our first members accepted the invitation to become Lions. ››

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We agroup of Lions from across the country to take part in Ride had to The Wall. More members joined the Club and our second solo event, ‘Putting on the Blitz’,grew in popularity.

We finished the year on ahigh and with the ambition of becoming aClub in our own right. Thankful of the help and advice we had receivedfrom Cannock, we grew quickly and after astrong membership drive, we reached the magic number 20 in January 2016 with our youngest member, Jordan. We continued to grow and by Charter daywehad 22 Chartermembers, with afurther two members badged up shortly after.

Our Club continues to be vibrant and enthusiastic. We are not the most conventional Lions club,orthe largest,orthe most successful, or steeped in years of history.However,weare young, ambitious, diligent and ever more focused on serving our communityand helping others. We are Hednesford PICTURED: Hednesford Centennial Lions. Centennial Lions Club ›› Charter evening ›› ideas and enthusiasm for our first fundraiser in Hednesford Park amonth later,but lacked weatherproofing as near the end of awet and windy daythe gazebo finally gave up resultinginafew soggy,but not discouraged Lions.The workload picked up and we were soon attendingall the events that Hednesford had to offer,picking up new members along the way such as our current President, Chris, and his wife, Lisa.

By 2014 we were ready to hold our own event. An afternoon tea with entertainment to bring the elderly members of our communitytogether with atheme of ‘Putting on the Ritz’,an event that wassowell receivedthat it is now agrowing, annual event.

2015 wasagreat year.Our soggy gazebo wasreplaced by a PICTURED: Summer caravan and we attended an increasing number of local fete at HednesfordPark events and our then President, Shaun Middleton, arranged for

PICTURED: ‘Putting on the Blitz’ at asenior citizens’ afternoon tea

www.lionsclubs.co December 2016/January 2017 27 community

PICTURED: Ready for action BackinTimeat Pennington Hall Park Leigh Lions Club raised £450 for local charities at an event to commemorate the Battle of the Somme.

In August,this freefamily event washeld at Pennington Hall Park in Leigh.LionsClub PICTURED: The Leigh Lions Club stall raised £450 members dressed in vintage-inspired war fashionand uniforms fromboth world wars for the occasion, and the crowds were entertained by afield gun demonstration and afive-a-side football match.

Musicalentertainmentwas provided by the Bolton CaledoniaPipe Band, Ambil Street Drummers,the HopeCarr Morris Dancers Music, the GeorgeFormby Ukulele Society and abrass band.

The event wasorganised by Wigan Council and the Friends of Pennington Hall Park.

PICTURED: President, Jenny Curry, The Mayor of Wigan, Councillor Ron Conway and wife Janet, Deborah Lechouritis, David Curry, Maureen Ratcliffe and Julie Dean

28 December2016/January 2017 www.lionsclubs.co community

PICTURED: Marley ‘gets on his bike’ watched by his mum, Vanessa and Hereford Lion David Lions help Marleyget on his bike! Marley George has cerebral palsy and can’t walk, but the 18-year old is able to ride a specially designed trike and Hereford Lions Club bought him one for Christmas.

The £3,000 machine will not only help him strengthen his leg muscles and improve his stamina,but givehim the opportunity to go for bikerides likeotheryoungsters. Marley said: “I couldnot have wished for abetter present.

“It’s cool.”

Club President, David Hartland, said:“It is our privilege to help Marley achieveone of his ambitions and seeing the smile on his face when he took his firsttrialrun made it all the more worthwhile.” The club bought him asmalltrikewhenhewas just four years old to helphim get round.

Lions help tacklemental health crisis

Hereford Lions Clubhas responded to ashocking report Richard Kelly,ExecutiveDirector of MIND said: “The grant thatone in 10 children and teenagers are riskofsuffering from LionsClub could not have come at abetter time. from mental healthissues by givingMIND,the local mental There is no public funding for early intervention in the field health charity, a£5,000 grant to set up atherapyservice in of mental health. We had already recognisedthe need for a countyschools and youth clubs to tackle the crisis. support service in schools and youth clubs to helpyoung peopleshowing signs of mental health problemsbut lacked Club President DavidHartland said: “The report made grim the financial resources to set it up.” PICTURED:readingHollyoaks’and we wanted to help the 500 countyyoungsters actress Nikki Sanderson withbelievAccringtoned to Lionsbe at risk.” President and mascot www.lionsclubs.co December 2016/January 2017 29 Crisp, bright and BIG! We welcome your photographs to go with your stories. But, the vast majority are of avery low resolution and too small or for us to use in LION. To resolve that and to save your disappointment, here are afew tips:

This isn’tadefinitiveguide to taking pictures, but rather,what type and size of images we need for publicationinLION magazine.

FIRSTLY,THEY NEED TO BE CRISP! Have alook at the images youwant to send. If they look even the slightest bit blurred on your camera,phone or PC, they will look ten timesworse in print, so don’tsend them.

This lovely issue) image SECONDLY, THEY NEED TO BE BRIGHT! fits (from 5.92MB. the bill. page Per It 55 We can lighten digitalimages alittle,but risk everything fect is 300dpi of this and looking very ‘washed-out’orbleached in print.

THIRDLY, THEY NEED TO BE BIG! We can onlyacceptimagesasjpgs around 1MB at 300dpi. Anythingsmaller is very risky and will probablynot be used. If youwant to check thesizeofimage youhave on your PC to see if it is good enough to send,bring the image up on screen, right click and scroll downto‘Properties’.

• The ‘Horizontalresolution’ shouldbe300dpi (dots perinch) Please note, this is no reflection on the Club • The ‘Vertical resolution’ should also be 300dpi or its photographer; it just serves as a Scrolling right down towards the bottom,will takeyou to ‘Size’ perfect example for this article where youshould ensure your imageis1MB (or bigger). but issue When yousend your image to the editor,please send it as an in this . tused ont cover 70.7KB wasn’ the fr atiny attachment,and then we should be in business! image it to and This made 96dpi have sonly could ,iti tunately Unfor

30 December2016/January 2017 www.lionsclubs.co CHARTER CELEBRATIONS

Centennial 100 Lions Club

The newest Lions Club on the block, so it wasagreat pleasure to badge Club members, and they will be sent Centennial 100 Lions Clubof105-EA, up its 50th member and ex-Leo, to Chichester for themtopass on to celebrated theformation of theClub Karen Kerbyshire, as anew member third world countries. and held its Charter presentation duringthe evening’sproceedings. evening on 10th September.Asitwas On other occasions, Clubmembers theirfirst Charter and because many Afterspeeches were over and the takepart in fundraisingactivities of the members liveall over the UK badges and certificateshandedout by together.For example, the Centennial and abroad, this wasthe perfect Vice District Governor Derek Prior, Lions were joined by Lions from opportunitytobadge up the charter 2Vice DistrictGovernor Mandy Knutsford and theHelen Keller members who attended the evening, Hawksleyand International Director Internet Lions Club, to hold a‘tiara includingmembers from the ElisabethHaderer,Lions and their and ties’ casinonight to raise £500 Netherlands and America, who flew in guests danced the night away.Abig for The Little Princess Trust. specially to be there. thankyou to Lion Sarah Hutchinson for organising agreat evening for all. Afurther£550 wasraised for The This Unique Club marksthe Little Princess Trust at the Centennial celebrations, set up by Because so manyofthe members live Charter evening. LionPhil Nathan, DistrictSecretary, so far apart, manydotheir own LionDavid Pope and Charter fundraising and service activityand Lion Annette Price also did an President, Lion Derek Penney.The offer what help they can, when they amazing job running 10K (or should idea is to have four meetings can. Some of the projects that the we say‘hobbling’ 10K on aset of throughout the year and then Centennial 100 Club has been crutches because she hurt her knee in communicate the rest of the time via working includes collecting reading training) butdedication shines email, phones and Facebook. Many glasses from localopticians for throughasshe still completed the ex-Leo's from several districtshave recycling. So far 1,130 pairs of courseand raised£225 for Cancer joined the new concept club already, glasses have been collected by four ResearchUK. www.lionsclubs.co December 2016/January 2017 31 BLACKPOOL 2017 CONVENTION

Amessage from Chairman of Council 2016/17, Lion Heather Jeavons.

Thisyear,wecelebrate our Centennial Year,asweLions were founded in June 1917 by an exceptional group of people,who recognised thatitisawonderfulthing to cometogether in the service of others.Wecan achievesomuch more service together than alone,and along the waywecan enjoyfun and the fellowship of our fellow Lions.Every Lion contributesin their own waytothe success of us all,and every contribution is equally valuable –weshould be proudand thankful for what we achievebyworking together.

The Centennial gives us the chance to celebrateloudlyand proudly the achievementsofthe last 100 years, and to show the Lions of the future, who areyet to joinus, how their service can add to the successes of the here and now and of the future.

Thisisthe last year thatwehave District105IIreland with us as part of MD105, as they willbecome the separate District 133 Ireland with effect from 4th July 2017.Wehave enjoyed their hardwork and the enthusiasm with which they have shared being part of our Multiple District, and Iknow thatwe all wish them wellwith their new status,and we willcontinue to meet andwork with them as friendsinthe future. The Council of Governorshas sought to act without parochialismorself-interest in theirconsiderationofre- districting.Ithas not been an easytask to bring together all RE-DISTRICTING MD105 the suggestions made for the future shapeofthe Multiple There will be some challenging decisions to makeatthe District, and it willbealmost impossible to giveevery member, Blackpool 2017 Convention abouthow we organisethe shape every Club,orevery District exactlywhat they want; but Iask of the remainingpart of our Multiple District. Several of the youtogiveyourwholehearted support to Council as they seek remaining12districts have struggledfor membersoverthe to findproposals which are fairestoverall to everyone –even lastfew years, despite the sterling effortsofDistrict and MD if those proposals are not everythingwhich youpersonally Membership teams.The Eastbourne Multiple District would prefer. Convention of 2016 instructedthe 2016/17 Council of Governors to put forward proposals to Convention 2017 for We will look back with pride on the achievementsofthe last re-districting MD105with effect from1st July 2019, and to 100 years, we celebrateour Centennial with glad hearts, and consultand communicate on those proposalswithmembers we will look forward together in friendship and in the via Districts.Council has reached out to every member, expectationoffutureachievements. through their Club and District, to askfor everyone’s views on the wayforward. Heather

32 December2016/January 2017 www.lionsclubs.co Venue and booking Lions International MD Convention and Council Meeting details.

Date: Wednesday19th to Sunday Friday evening: Servedhot buffet and 23rdApril2017 cabaret,includingDJScottie, and local young peoplewill provide amusical Venue: NorbreckCastle Hotel, Queen's celebration of Lions’ first100 years Promenade, BlackpoolFY2 9AA Dress code: Optional–theme (TBC) or Convention programme includes: smart casual andBlack Tie Presentations accompanied by exhibitions and Lionsdisplays Saturday evening: Gala dinner with entertainment

ABOUTTHE HOTEL The Britannia Norbreck Castlehotelisone of the largestBritannia hotels and offers excellent value formoney.Grand and vibrant, this unique structure sitsproudly overlookingthe IrishSea and is only ashort tram rideawayfrom all the major Blackpool attractions.

All 480 en-suitebedrooms aretastefully decorated with themajorityboasting magnificentsea views. Therooms allfully equipped with privatebathrooms,hairdryer, TV,tea/coffee facilities andworkdesks.

The Norbreck Castle's Health Club includes a children’ssplash pool, as well as amain pool,steam roomand aspa bath. It also To book, visit offers guests accesstoanon-site www.md105convention.uk and amusement arcade, a36-seater cinema and follow the link to the booking form achildren's entertainment programme and for more Convention information during the schoolholidays.

PARTNERS’ TRIP TO THE LAKE DISTRICT

DepartBlackpooland traveltoAmbleside, one of themanyquaint villages in the Lake District, where avisitto‘Hays Garden World’isamust.

After lunch, head to Grasmere, home of William Wordsworth and theworld-famous ‘SarahNelson’sGrasmereGingerbread’.

Finally,traveltoWindermere on theshoresofthe largestnatural lakeinEngland. Take aboat trip on the laketosee thenatural splendour of the countryside.

Beautiful scenery and first class shopping, all in one trip to the Lake District! Cost is £15.00 each

(This trip is subject to minimumnumbers for it to run andtimings to be confirmed later).

If youare interested in this trip please contact Lions HQ on 0121 441 4544 or email [email protected]

www.lionsclubs.co December 2016/January 2017 33 Lions nEWs One Thousand Miles at 72 After his wife died at age 57, Keith Ogley knew he had to raise money for the hospice where she stayed. “I was told to,” he says. His wife made her wishes clear to him before she died.

JoanOgley had belongedtoasocial club that raised funds for Cransley HospiceinKettering, so she understood its value. Then, unfortunately,whenshe got cancer,she learned firsthandofits comforting ways.

“Shewas able to liveincomfort and dignity,”saysOgley, amemberofthe Kettering &District LionsClub.“She,my daughters and granddaughter and Iwere treated throughout this terrible time,with care and compassion.”

Keith did ashort walk to raise funds for thehospice six months after she died in 2004, and another one six years later.But more thanadecade after she died,after he had become aLionand had turned 71, he decidedtoupthe anteand hikefrom Land’sEnd to John O’ Groats.

His plandrew “a fairly highlevel of resistance” from friends concerned abouthis health.Some were less delicate abouttheir objections.“They toldmeitwas a hare-brained scheme that had no chance of success.”

In decent shape, Keith did practicewalks nearhis home. Using guidebooks,hehunkered down in apub to plan his route.Heplottedacourse that for the most part avoided roads and relied on long paths.Hesecured pledges,then he set off,supportedbyfriends, family and Lions.

The hikewas arduous. Keith scrambledoverrocks, negotiated innumerablehillpaths, long and steep.He withstood heavy rains in a“good old Britishsummer.”

Hisrucksack borehis clubbannerand asign about his fundraising.Once,stoppingtochat withstudents on a school outing,the teenagers reachedinto their pockets and droppedcoins in his tin can. On another day, a woman abruptly stoppedher car after shedrove pasthim, chased him on foot and made adonation.

Lions in towns he passed did their part. Theyoften providedmeals and lodging. Keith attended Club meetingsand celebrated his birthdaywith the Morpeth and Teesdale Clubs.

In 82 days, Keith covered 1,132 miles andraised thousands of pounds. WhenhereachedJohn O’Groatsin the distancehesaw acrowdofchildren –and he knew them.“They were my grandchildren, withtheir

parents − to celebrate theend of my walk.” PICTURED: Keith Ogley battles the elements in Upper Teesdale

34 December2016/January 2017 www.lionsclubs.co FREE Sport, Leisure, Spa & Craft Tuition Early 2017 Bargain Breaks from £50pppn Full Board TheManor House Ashbu& ry Hotels The Only Sport, Craft & Spa Hotels in the UK Great Value, Full Board activity breaks in the heart of Devon. FREE FACILITIES For All Residents

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Snowdon

SPECIAL 500 10% DISCOUNT Challenge OFF LIONS 13Th-14Th MaY 2017 TOMBOLA GAMES

Serving Lions Club Climb the tallest mountain in england and wales in aid of PCRC! International for over 35 years. Every year 40,000 men are diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in the UK alone. The Prostate Cancer Research Centre is the only charity funding research solely focused “PDK’s Lion Tombola Games are perfect for raising on the fatal spread of Prostate Cancer. By funding this world class research, we are funds and rraaisingising our Lions Club’s proﬁ lele.. WeWe bought working towards increasing the survival and quality of life of men with Prostate Cancer. 22 tombola games from PDK in one year, raising nearly £3,000 for our Club” Great Yarmouth Lions Club @ThePCRC #snowdon500 www.prostate-cancer-research.org.uk Registration: £35 Visit our new dedicated fundraising website Charity reg. 1156027 www.snowdon500.co.uk www.charnwoodfundraising.co.uk oR Call 0207 848 7546 Contact us: [email protected] or 01626 437290 Lions Te Plea Lions New They assi Catc Sigh optici Becc guid Lion conti busines thank Club and to parti Gr be yo memb Lions 2016 36 lep aham uw yo negoti Under PICTURED: stan se ed vis hpole tD ally les nd, Fred nually hone Preside an were nEWs ful Club ould ersh ›› email: uall the ay ses Lions t, Kilro to we sigh cover for ate .T December2016/January : Helsd also ip and mr lik yi of blindf mark 0845 tryin of meet he the nt, the ted to et ya mpaire Ble secretar Clu Becc ound athletes Ms joi Ma on, oh 32 Lio nd gt support tchl olded man peo Lions bt ned on 833 .T Bletcheley yo Elli elp nF les, oi Maria and the eamed ey dp ple he ro the yo eC mpro the red 9592 ,w peopl y@lc ha Cl we eop fB Club Lion stre with bstac nW ossey of first ub hile ve wa Hels eccl feel ve le the up ei ets bmk. Inter elc wel in lk. Chris welcome and face Clu les thing nt es, ,a don, with the our Wo h, publi of comed he bP no 2017 tha nati co.u third bri Mr Beccle ev La sf to com said: al Ble reside ptic ca ngi tt ery mbert wn onal Gr or sn k ocal he tchl Tu two nd munit ng aha al blind ew st is da “W esda blind Wo nt the ey ot y. m new ea members, , rld y. area and ry yi Club ” re rld members; nt and he month so if . Sight PICTURED: ›› Lion Marian and Man mee sho Ay Mary Ass gaz Ay Para Home Fr We les les oci ebo ws lch devi ti Mik Day -A bur bur ng om atio pa nn eW to lle yL yL at rt n( Ev th ,t ici the oo io io PICTURED: eB ans oget BW pan ns. ns do

›› lym Lions Ms PICTURED: Gu ritis AA rec ts and ft her Ellie The ttma ). at he ently hW on Of Th with Ro Lion ar Cossey BW Wo nn heel ep nT ecen dona Beccles pics rld AA Bar Marian Stad hoto omasi ch Sight and with ta ba www.lionsclubs.co air ted Th ium, gr ra thlet We Mayor na At ap Day Beccles a Hool lch hlet h of Sto ics e and e ics ke Lions nEWs Bletchley Shoe Boxes The Lions Club of Bletchleyhave filled30shoeboxes with Christmas giftsfor children in Romania, these will be added to the other shoeboxes filledbyLions Clubs in the UK and Ireland.They will all be loadedinto a PICTURED: To Romania lorry in Milton Keynes and driven to Romania in time from Bletchley for Christmas.

Growing With Lions Garden

“This is one of the best Lionsprojects that I have ever seen”said PDG JohnHall,ashe spent timetalking to the public at the Lions Garden at the HarrogateAutumn Flower show.

First VicePresident, Michael, felt that the gardenacted like amagnet making it so easy to engage with the public.

The project team is very grateful to all those whomade the garden possible;tothe many organisations and businesses whodonated plants and materials, to Lions fromClub Zone, Districtand Multiple District who gave up time to makethis happen, but of course, the icing on the cakewas to win aSilver GiltAward at the firstattempt.

Lions President of Harrogate Lions Club,Carol Houseman, summed it up by saying that this project, which required an immense amountof time and hard work,provedtobeahuge success. She said: “Wehad aconstant flow of visitors who showed greatinterest in the concept of the garden and LCI. All the doubts, fears and sleepless nights prior to the event were forgotten with the success of this project. We aimed high and we reached our goal!“

www.lionsclubs.co December 2016/January 2017 37 Lions nEWs Clevedon Lions CentenaryProject

Some monthsago,membersof Clevedon Lions Clubnoticed that the seatsnext to the bandstandflowerbed on Clevedon seafront were in aterrible state, with somemissing and others damaged.

As they presented apoor image to visitors and locals,the Club decided that with the agreement of North Somerset Council, they would replacethem with anew set of seats and rename the areaas‘Lions Centenary Crescent’.This waspart of Clevedon Lions Club centenary project;something that that would benefit the town and be along-standing and permanent reminder of the centenary.

The opening ceremonywas heldonabright, sunny September Saturday afternoon by Jane Geldart, Chairof ClevedonTown Council together with Clubmembers who cut the ceremonial blue and yellow ribbon. The Lions District Governorfor the SouthWest of England,Fred Broom, unveiled the special commemorativeplaque.Brenda Wood, PICTURED: Clevedon the Lions Centennial Chairperson wasalsopresent. Lions sitting comfortably

Talking Newspaper Edition1,000!

Since November1977, Downpatrick Lions Club has been Lions Club has distributed35,000 tapes. The voiceson keeping people with visual problems informed about what the tapes belongtomembers of theDownpatrickLions is going on through the Downsound talking newspaper. Clubwho set up the talking newspaper.

Distributedevery two weeks, Downsound’s1,000th Although it has had several homessinceits launch, editionwent out in Maythis year,and since its launch,the Downsound is currentlybasedatthe DownshireHospital where, after recording, tapes are made ready for distribution with thecostgenerously coveredbythe Post Office.

The Downsound tapes run for around an hour with stories from two localnewspapers –the DownRecorder and Mourne Observer –providingpeople with news, sports reports, up-coming events and snippets of interestfrom a wide-ranging areaaround CountyDown.

Music is playedbetweenarticles and readersdescribe some of the photographs reproduced in thepapers. The editors try to ensure that there is awide range of stories to suitevery age group–from current affairstothe ever- popular court reports!

Thereisverypositivefeedbackfrom the recipients of the

›› tapes andDownpatrick LionsClub are delighted that PICTURED: Downpatrick Lions Downsound has been such ahuge success and that so Club making the Downsound talking newspaper many peopleget suchenjoyment from it.

3840 December2016/January 2017 www.lionsclubs.co Lions nEWs

Milton Keynes Hospital Gardens The MacIntyre charityprovides learning, support and care for more than 1,500children,young people and adults who have a learning disability and/or autism, at more than 150 services across Englandand Wales. Their diverserange of services includes registered care homes,supported living,outreach, accredited training schemes and lifelonglearning services, as well as aresidentialspecial school and furthereducationprovision.

The Lions Club of Bletchley have been working on the gardens at MacIntyre Fletchers Mews, at MiltonKeynes Hospital, for people PICTURED: Lions team and Jacqui Ormerod, MacIntyre to enjoy. The garden wasofficially opened in September. Acting Head of Service

AMasterclass in Scrumping Kevin Loydall and David Swanson from Oadby&WigstonLions Club pretended they were teenagers again and went 'scrumping’ apples, all in agood cause!

In ashort timethey had picked fivelarge carrierbags of apples fromtreesinahiddenorchardinthe centre of Wigston,these apples were given out at the foodbank that the Clubruns in SouthWigston, withthe members of the South Wigston Congregational Church.

PICTURED: Super- scrumpers Kevin Loydall and David Swanson www.lionsclubs.co December 2016/January 2017 39 Lions nEWs

PICTURED: Members of Rugeley and District Lions Club with Staffordshire Search and Rescue Team Rugeley &District Lion Hunt Rugeley &District Lions Club teamed up with Staffordshire Chase, then members of SSART had to find them as quickly Search and Rescue Team (SSART)recently,tohelp raise as possible. fundsand awareness of the two organisations. As the Lions were found, the exactspot wasrecorded by the With sightings of various wild animalsreported on nearby GPS equipment,which wasthen compared to the number of Cannock Chase over recent years, a‘lion hunt’was in order, the square on the map.This determined the winners of the so an areaofCannockChasewas divided into 1,000 raffle tickets with the firstfound determining fourth prize, squares on amap,then eachsquare wasgiven anumber. the second third prize and so on.

With the assistance of SSART,onone of their training days, (All Lions were found safe and sound…) members of Rugeley Lions hid in fourdifferent areas of the

Thanet Lions Club Blind Driving Challenge To encourage people to get their eyes tested and to realise Lion David Barwick of StokeonTrent Lions Club,isadriving thatthey mustn't drivewitheye problems,membersof instructor, he suggestedthat thefront seatpassenger could Thanet Lions Clubdeveloped the'Blind Driving Challenge'. direct ablindfoldeddriver around apre-determined course in his dual-controlled car.Sainsbury’satWestwood Cross agreed that Thanet Lions Clubcould runthe event using a part of theircar parkand the Blind DriveChallenge and Sight AwarenessDay wasborn.

The coursewas asimple oval withtwo straights about one hundredmetres each, thefirst lap wasdriven without the blindfold, and nearly every driversaid it waseasy.That changedwhen theblindfold wasput on. Each driverhad two lapsand their confidence in theirabilities soonevaporated. Nearly everyonebecamevery aware of howmuch they took their sight forgranted, and help wasneeded for them to continue the drive.

There were drivers fromthe local communityincluding local mayors and MP SirRogerGale. SirRogersaid:“It wasa ›› PICTURED: Blind salutary remindertolook afteryour eyes.”LionLucyShort driving challenge said: “I felt totally dependent, vulnerableand frightened.”

40 December2016/January 2017 www.lionsclubs.co Lions nEWs

PICTURED: Best feet forwardwith Furness Lions Lions World Service Day FurnessLions heldtheir service dayatthe RoyalBritish Legion in Barrow.Lion President, Jim Rhodes, greeted the Mayorand Mayoress of Ulverston.Lion Jim said: “Every year we hold apie and peas lunch for up to 100 pensioners and young disabled people. We have our resident one-man-band for singing and dancing, agame of bingo,and araffle. The afternoon ends witha cup of tea or coffeeand abiscuit.”

Four Lions On ABoat Trip So on asunnyday in October, 22 adultsfrom Mencap (Harrow) and theirfivecarerswent on aboat trip with Wembley (Brent) Lions and they all enjoyed every minuteof it. Everyone took turns to open the canal lock gates and even steer the boat. Our friends turned out to be excellent baristasand treatedthe Lions to delicious cups of coffee and tea.

Lion President, Snehlata, wasaccompanied by her husband, Nanda,Lions Sunjay, Dineshbhai and Lion Madhubhai.

PICTURED: Wembley (Brent) Lions raised funds for Mencap (Harrow) and then asked them what activity would bring a ›› smile to these wonderful people. Tring Lions Sponsor MemoryBook In 2015, the peopleofTringcelebrated the 700th anniversary of the granting of acharter by Edward II.

Thesecelebrations were captured on cameraand ‘Tring Together’ collated the photographs for a memory book. The Lions ClubofTring sponsored the production of these books and at aget together recently,presented copiestothe Tring Town Mayor, MikeHicks, Diane Saletes from Tring Library and to Cllr PennyHearne. The MayorofDacorum, Cllr Robert PICTURED: (L-R)Mayor of Dacorum, Cllr RobertMcClean, Vivianne Child, Tring McClean wasalso present. Copiesofthe memory book Together,Diane Saletes, Tring Library, Lion Alan Pollard, Cllr Penny Hearne, Mayor of Tring, Cllr Mike Hicks and Tring Lion President, Steve Mitchell will be given to allthe schools in Tring. www.lionsclubs.co December 2016/January 2017 41 OR THE

Letters TO EDIT

DearLions, When BorisJohnson MP left his position as MayorofLondon to become Foreign Secretary,Lion David Skinner wrotetohim to thankhim for participatinginthe HealthySchools Programme London and he replied with thisletter:

42 December2016/January 2017 www.lionsclubs.co Lions’ Letters

PICTURED: Ahandout pictureprovided on 7th October 2016 by MINUSTAH showing the city of Jeremie, Haiti, on 6th October 2016, in the west of the country (EFE/UN/MINUSTAH)

DearFellow Lions,

HAITIHURRICANE APPEAL As youwill all have witnessed through our news channels concerning Hurricane Matthew,the mostpowerfulCaribbeanstormin adecade has had adevastating effect uponHaiti.

Accordingtothe UN Office for the CoordinationofHumanitarian Affairs, there are an estimated 350,000 people in need of assistance.

80% of buildingshave been destroyed and sadly the deathtoll is expected to rise and the extremely poor sanitation system has been totally overwhelmed by flooding. Acholeraepidemicspread by contaminatedwater has already killed 6,000 people in thelast 6years, since the earthquakehit Haiti in 2010.

Members of Lions Clubs of the BritishIslesand Ireland are coordinating with our Lions Clubs International Foundation and it has been agreed to supply water treatmentequipment directly to help the peopleofHaiti. Clean water is one of theirgreatest needs.

Please would youand your Lions Club consider making adonation to the Haiti Hurricane Relief.Please sendyour donationvia your District Treasurer with details of the donor together with the name of the appeal,inthis instance ‘Haiti Hurricane Relief’on the reverse.

Thankyou for givingthis your consideration.

Lion Heather Jeavons Lion Geoff Leeder www.lionsclubs.co December 2016/January 2017 0043 LIONS YOUTH EXCHANGE Dumfries Lions Club Hosts Lions International Youth Centre Over aweek in July, 39 young people of 28 different nationalities descend on the Cairndale Hotel, Dumfries, for the Lions International Youth Centre hosted by Dumfries Lions Club.

The othershelped create anew footpath for visitors to Ellisland Farm, a former home of Robert Burns.

Thursday wasafull dayvisit to Edinburgh arrangedbythe Cityof Edinburgh Lions.The highlight of the daywas of course, the Edinburgh MilitaryTattoo.Along very satisfying daysaw us returning to Dumfries at 3.00am.

On Fridayacivic receptionwas arranged by the Town Council, where the group waswelcomed by the Provost of the town. Saturdaywas aquiet daytoallow time for rehearsals for the concert being planned by the Acomprehensiveprogramme was students the following day. planned by Lion Jim and Ann McCormack, and LionJim and LindaNelson, ACeilidh and dinner held in the involving visits to Glasgow, Edinburgh evening wasgreat. All the guests and sites in Dumfriesand Galloway. danced the night away and the sight of everyone attempting to Saturdaybegan with afamiliarisation ‘Strip the Willow’ (Google it) will walk roundDumfries led by Lions Club linger long in the memory. members, later thegroupvisited nearbyMabieForest and after a Sundaywas the dayfor packing, ‘getting to knowyou’ walk and some rehearsing and finishing off country presentations. The team-buildinggames organised by the PICTURED: At the Icebowl local YMCA, local Lions providedan concert wasanamazing, entirely excellent barbecue. puttogether and performed by AdventureCentre at Loch Ken. The the students. The talent on display On the Sunday, theyhad agoat adventureday ended with abarbecue from pianists, guitarists, singers, curling and skating at the Icebowl. In laid on by Dalbeattie Lions Club who dancers, poetryreaders, drummers the evening they went to aBurns are due very big vote of thanks. The and jugglers would grace anyTVtalent supper tasterwhere they were highlight of the evening wasthe show. entertained by alocal young piperand attendance of the GallowayPipes and the ‘Addresstothe Haggis’,translated Drums, he students were allowed to try Monday,the last day, sawthem all up by Norwegian gues Eivind. their hand at piping and drumming and and ready to go at 7.00am for the the sight of astrapping 6'5''Norwegian journey home. Threeyears of intensive Mondaywas taken up with atrip to trying to blow up aset of pipes usually planning and 10 very busy days were Glasgow and avisit to the Transport playedbya5'3'' wee lassie was suddenlyoverand we were all sad to Museum and Kelvingrove Art Gallery indeed, asight to behold. see thesewonderful,friendly young and Museum. people leave. On the Wednesday, the group tookpart Tuesdaywas an all actionday and in local communityprojects. One group We thank our own Club,Dumfries, and involved the studentstaking part in six helped tidy up and prepare flowerbeds the other Clubs from NE who supported differentdisciplinesatthe Galloway in an old playarea in aprimary school. us so well.

44 December2016/January 2017 www.lionsclubs.co Youth Ryedale LionsBoost For Scouts One of the smallest scout groups in Ryedale has had abig boost from Ryedale Lions Club to help buy new camping equipment.

The donationof£500 went to the ThorntonDale scouts, who are the latest to benefitfrom the Ryedale Lions 2016 share out of more than £8,000 of club funds, much of it raised on board the Lions’ SantaSleigharound Pickering, Kirkbymoorside and Helmsley to help localgood causes.

“Throughout the year we target our supportatdeserving local groups who do great workonbehalf of the communityand the scouts are atremendous benefit to young people,”said Lions Club President, Jim Ingham.”

The moneywill be used to buy much-needed equipment to benefit just over 40 scouts, beavers and cubs currently in the Thornton Dale Group,which also includes members from surroundingvillages.

Scout leader,John Mortonson,said:“This is avery generous gift from the Lionsand the people of Ryedale, which is all the more welcome in such asmall groupwith very limited resources.”

Lions Clubs Of Solihull Partnership With Solihull Healthy Schools Programme Throughthis existingprogramme, LionsClubs, the 16 schools that had This is part of arolling programme for which is acornerstoneofpublic health achievedHealthy Schoolsstatus and Solihull schools, as they are required and educationprovisioninSolihull, theMayorofSolihull, Councillor to revalidate their status every two the Lions developed apartnership Mike Robinson. years, and as there are withthe schoolsusing the Lions 89 educational establishments in Lifeskillsresource. As well as opportunityfor networking Solihull to go through theprogramme, betweenthe Lions and the schools, thisshould be the beginningofa The culmination of thiswas a theMayorrecognised each school in long-term relationship between the ceremonyorganised by District turn, presenting them with their Lions and their local schools. LifeskillsOfficer,Lion Terry Smith, HealthySchools Certificate, aLions in which wasattended by theCommunity brochure and aLife PICTURED: Teachers and the Lion representatives from the seven Solihull representatives from the Borough’s Changes book fromthe Lifeskills Lions Clubs EducationDepartment,the seven Resource, paid for by the Lions. ››

www.lionsclubs.co December 2016/January 2017 45 Youth Stafford Grammar School Lions Club International Awards Ceremony

At an all school assemblyatStafford significant levels of unpaid service to number of hours recordedbypupils as Grammar School recently,the District theircommunities in a12-month part of the of Schools Year 8 105BS Youth Chairman of Lions District period. It worksalongsidethe Duke Challenge, an initiative set up by 105BS,DistrictOfficerRick Talbot, of of Edinburgh Award Scheme, is Mrs Rhiannon Beauchamp. Thisyear, Gnosall Lions Club, presented Young recognised by all three services when it wasyear awarded to Talbot House, Leaders In Service Awards for looking at officer-entry applicants and represented by OliviaStocking. outstanding workinthe communityto is also recognised by UCASasavalue the following pupils: added item on universityapplications. Alsohonoured wasSiddhant Guipta, lastyear’s winner of the school round Gnosall Lions were also proudgivea of the Lions International Peace Poster Silver awards: trophytothe headmaster,MrDarley, poster competition. • Nayantika Chaudary thisistobecompeted for annually, and will be known as the ‘Gnosall The schoolisinvolved in both of these • Olivia Stocking Lions Community Challenge Cup’. competitions again; the YLiSinitiative has been launched to the Year 8pupils • Kate Souster The trophyisawarded to the school and Year 7pupils have started workon • Jessica Lakin house that accumulates thehighest their Lions Peace Poster entries.

Gold award: • Kate Temperton

In addition to their certificates, each winner received aYoung Leadersin Service Badge and aLetter of Appreciation from International Lions President, Chancellor Bob Corlew.

The Young leaders in Service (YLiS) PICTURED: Rick Talbot of Gnosall Lions Club with the YLiS Winners, including Olivia Stocking with award, is an international one, which the Gnosall Lions Community Challenge Cup and recognises young peoplewho provide Siddhant Guipta with his framed poster

BS SuccessinYLiS

Morethan150 young people tookup Staffordshire DeputyPoliceand Crime manyofwhom comefrom challenging the YLiSchallenge, afterRick Talbot of Commissioner, SueArnold, the County backgrounds. To date,one young Gnosall Lions Club (with other local CadetAdmin Officer, Carol Barrs, cadet cadet is now aSpecial Constable and Clubs) made presentations to local leadersofall sixunits and serving another has justreturned from South Police cadets, guiders, and localpupils. Police Officers. Africa whereshe had been working in atownship. She has entered the Young Work with the Staffordshire Junior Each unit wasgiven aYLiS Ambassador Competition. Police Cadets started about 18 months presentationtolaunchthe Award, to ago when each of the six units in the much enthusiasm, and over 130 Gnosall Guides arealso taking up the Countywere set up,settled in and cadets registered and received their Award, whichmeansthat in thepast became active. YLiS log books. month, morethan 150 youngpeople have startedworking towards the YLiS Once thatwas accomplished, Rick Sue Arnold of theStaffordshirePCC’s Award.Happily for Gnosall, theyhave Talbot, Secretary and Youth Officer of office sees only good coming out of the got aYoung Ambassador candidate and Gnosall Lions Club,and the current scheme, as it has suchapositive anumber of Peace Posterentrants, not 105BS Chair, had ameeting with the influence on the lives of young people, bad for one of our smaller clubs.

46 December2016/January 2017 www.lionsclubs.co Youth

More Members Means More Service

Dear Lion,

We surpassed the 1.4 million member mark at the end of October thanks to Lions likeyou. It's a great accomplishment, and Iwant to thank youfor working to makeyour club and your communitystronger.

Reaching the 1.4 million mark early in the year puts us on apath to continue membership growth into 2017 and beyond. It also puts us in position to be the largest we'veeverbeen, allowing us to servemore people than ever before.

The goal of our new strategic plan, LCIForward, is to triple our service impact by serving 200 million people ayear by 2021. More members means we can provide more service to those who need us most. Each member serves 70 people on average, so imagine how manymore people we can help by inviting others to join us in service, and by keeping our current members as Lions.

To keep this momentum going and to help reach our service goals, Iamasking every member to think about someone they know who shares our desire to help people and then ask them to join us in service.

Thank youagain for helping us grow so we can serveevenmore people. Let's keep climbing new mountains together!

Very truly yours, Chancellor Bob Corlew Your International President

Lions Clubs International &LCIF |300 W. 22nd St. |Oak Brook, IL |60523 |USA www.lionsclubs.co December 2016/January 2017 47 COVER STORY Lions guide blind children down the slopes Youth AGreat Day on the Slopes The blind children have heard the cautionary words from well-meaning people their whole lives: “Be careful.” “Slow down.” “You’ll hurt yourself.” Safety comes first on the slopes. What comes next are peals of laughter, squeals of fun and apride in mastering –or, at the least, gamely trying –anew activity.

“Manyofthemhavenever gone thisfast at anything,”saysLion Donna Brown, ateacher at the West Virginia Schoolsfor theDeaf and Blind. “When they don’tfallthey getasenseof accomplishment. When they finally ski on theirown [without holding apole heldbya certified guide],they gettoski likeeveryone else.”

Fornearly 40 years, LionsofWestVirginiahave hosteddaysofskiing for blind and visually impaired people and then for deaf people.The weather sometimes does not fully co-operate. The thermometer canplunge far belowfreezing. But a dayonthe slopes can’tbebeaten.Well, at leastthe children feelthatway.“ Iprefer cross country,”saysBrown, who is blind. “I have more success at that.”

ALL IMAGES BY VICTORIA WEEKS

48 December2016/January 2017 www.lionsclubs.co Youth

PICTURED: Theskiers develop arapportwith their guides

PICTURED: For some, snow mostly has beenan inconvenience. “It’s the firsttimetoget out in the snow,to playinthe snow,” says Lewis

PICTURED: Riding the chairlift up is almost as much fun as skiing downs

PICTURED: Acertified guide skies with achild. The children arefromthe West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind and throughout the state. Skiing allows them “to use their orientation and mobility skills,” says Christine Lewis of the Morgantown Lions Club www.lionsclubs.co December 2016/January 2017 49 HealtH APlace for Kids The Tennessee Lions Eye Center skillfully and lovingly caters its care to children. By Claire Gibson

room, big-screen televisions enable children withlow vision to watch from a normal distance. Toys andbooks occupywaitingpatients and their siblings. Adark room provides quiet and peacefor infants with sensitive eyes. Large murals of zooanimals line the walls. In every treatment room, an electronic stuffed animal rests on a shelf,waitingfor adoctor to pressa pedal near the patient’s chair that activates its movement. Forachild, a stuffedcow waving his tail back and forth is amuch better vision test than an eyechart. PICTURED: Dr Sean Donahue makes sureachild is relaxed It’s aplace anychild would feelat beforeexamining him home. But it’s also aplace where children receive excellent treatment At aStarbucksoutside Chattanooga, and since then, has provided regular from some of the best eyedoctors in Tennessee, Abigail Bean, 10, sipsa check-ups and carefor Abigail every the nation. The Tennessee Lions Eye Vanilla frappe and shivers. Blonde and few months. Center accommodatesmore than fair skinned,she’swearing anavy 25,000 pediatric visitsevery year. cardigan and apair of pinkglasses. Amanda said: “Dr.Donahue gave us a Donahue,chief of Pediatric She’sboth happyand freezing because diagnosis of ocular albinismand OphthalmologyatVanderbilt,has seen she’senjoying asweet, icy drink. But congenital nystagmus. He told us it just how transformative that treatment when her shoulders finish quaking, her can’tbecorrected with glasses, but has been for children in theregion. eyes keep moving. “I’ve had amillion he said, ‘Wecan giveher the best “For years,most kids were seen for kids ask me, ‘Whydoyour eyes do vision possible.’” regular care by adult ophthalmologists,” that?’” she says, “I justtell them that’s he says. “Butkids are not littleadults. how Iam.” TENNESSEE LIONS INVEST IN Manyofthem are too young to read PEDIATRICOPHTHALMOLOGY the eyechart, and even if they know Abigail’seyesmoveinvoluntarilyasshe that they have aproblem, manyof has nystagmus, acondition that affects Abigail and her familyexperienced them won’ttell you.” fewer than one percent of the exactly whythe Tennessee Lions have invested their timeand theirmoneyin population, and in her case, the result Whilemedicine eventually called Dr pediatricophthalmology. Foryears, the of arare recessivegene passed down Donahue into the fold,his early Clubs provided glasses and surgeries from both sides of her family. Her educationfocused on neuroscience, for adults in need. But in 1995, the mother,Amanda, noticed the eye studyingproblems withthe developing formerhead of Vanderbilt’s movement when Abigailwas justthree brain. In the following years, he began ophthalmology programme, Dr Dennis monthsold and knew that something to draw connections between his study O’Day, challenged thestate’s Clubs to waswrong. of thebrain and the vision system. That see how they might helptocare for connectionled him to ophthalmology, “I planned to ask the pediatrician children. Emboldened,the Lions raised and ultimately,toVanderbilt. about it at her three-month checkup,” $4 million for the construction of a Amandasays. “But before Icould, he state-of-the-art pediatric LIONSRISE TO THE CHALLENGE asked me when the eyemovementhad ophthalmology clinic, as well as an started.” Her pediatrician endowment to sustainthe clinic for Coincidentally,Donahue arrivedin recommended that she took Abigail to years to come. Nashville the weekend of the pivotal see Dr SeanDonahue at the Tennessee Lions state convention in 1995, where Lions EyeCenter.Donahue performed The Tennessee Lions EyeCenter is as O’Daychallengedthe audience to surgery to correct Abigail’smisaligned inviting todayasitwas when it opened makeacommitment to caringfor eyes when she wastwo.Heperformed in 1997.Valet parking is complimentary children. While the Lions fundraised, more surgery to remove the stitches, for patients and families,inthe waiting Donahue treated complex patients like

50 December2016/January 2017 www.lionsclubs.co HealtH

Abigail Bean, and began experimenting develop ascreening system to identify ophthalmologist in theirlocal area. All with new technology to help identifya these patients.There wasonly the time, the Lions and Vanderbilt far more common pediatric one problem. would keep data about how the problem: amblyopia. programmewas working. “Weknew that if we could treatmore “Amblyopia is actuallyaproblem with children before age seven, they could Over the last20years, the Lions have the brain,” Donahue explains.Ifleft be savedfrom alife of poorvision,” screened more than 500,000 childrenin untreated, specifically during theyears says Lynn Wilhoite, ExecutiveDirector Tennessee, and of those, approximately of visual development between birth for the TennesseeLions. “Butchildren fivepercent have been referred for and sixyears of age, amblyopia can of that age aren’t in school or in further care. The data from this result in apermanentdefect that organised groups. So with [Vanderbilt], research has been so convincing that leavesaperson with only one we trained volunteers to do the 14 Lions programmesacross the functioning eye. Unfortunately,children screenings wherever we could find country have modeled theirscreening can compensatewith their strong eye, the children.” initiatives after Kids Sight. And this giving few cues for parents to see that year,the American Academyof somethingiswrong. And worsestill, KIDS SIGHT Pediatrics asked Donahue to write the children under the age of six can’t Donahue had accesstothis new group’snewestrecommendations: easily complete eyeexams —after all, research and technology.Wilhoite had encouraging MTI cameravision how do youread an eyechart if you acrew of eager volunteers.Together, screening for every childunder the age haven’tlearned your alphabet? they began apilotprogrammecalled of four. Kids Sight,hoping that with their Around the time Donahue arrived at “That’sall happened becauseofwhat strengths combined, more children Vanderbilt,new technology had we startedhere with the Lions Club,” would get the treatmentthey needed emerged. The MTI cameraused digital Donahue says. “Screening and beforeitwas too late. photographytoidentify children with treatmentofamblyopia is one of the amblyopia. If youGoogle ‚amblyopia Aveteran who spent morethan most cost effectivetreatments in all screen test,’you can see how the 34 years in the U.S. Army, Wilhoite that we do in medicine, not just cameraworks. With asingle black-and- had servedasanengineer,building ophthalmology,but all of medicine.” white photo, pediatricophthalmologists hospitals overseas to treatthe troops. can look for asymmetry in red-eye To him, buildingthe Lions EyeCenter CONTINUING INVESTMENT reflexes. (It turns out thosered-eye and creatingastate-widescreening staresyou usedtoget in old photos Year after year,TennesseeLions programmewas just an extension of are medically significant.) typically contribute $200,000 annually that service. But these were untested for updating instruments and other With this new technology,pediatric waters, and manyinthe medicalfield costs. And for all of thesurgeries, ophthalmologists could diagnosethe were wary of sending retirees out to do appointments and road trips to most common, treatable vision what wasessentially,medical research. Nashville, Abigail knowsher futurewill impairment among childrenwithout the still include low vision, but it doesn’t Undeterred, the Lions and Vanderbilt need for them to read an eyechart. slow her down. At school, she uses established aplan. Volunteers would Simpleand useful, the camera had the takeMTI photos of children wherever iPads, amini acrobat cameraand other potentialtorevolutionise pediatric they could be foundand sendthe equipment to help her see. In her free ophthalmology by identifying patients photos back to the Lions EyeCenterfor time, she’sacompetitivegymnast. far sooner than before. interpretation. Anychild flagged for After losing apair of glasses that went potential amblyopiawould be As one of the few Ph.D.s in his medical flying acrossthe gym after aroundoff contacted and referred to apediatric field, Donahue wasuniquely poisedto back-handspring, Abigail began wearing sports glasses with astrap that tightens around her head. With PICTURED: Donahue is the sports glasses, she says, “if Iland one of seven pediatric on my face,they don’thurt as much. ophthalmologists on staff And Ifall alot.”

And Abigail is now happytobeaguide as well. Until this year,she wasthe only visually impaired student at her school,but now,she mentors another little girl who is in the kindergarten.

Whenasked what it feels liketobea mentor,Abigail finishes the last of her frappe, smiles, and sums it up with one word: joyful. www.lionsclubs.co December 2016/January 2017 51 HealtH

PICTURED: Cheddar Vale Lions raised funds to buy adefibrillator for Cheddar Gorge First of Cheddar Vale Lions Club’sDefibrillators Installed As partoftheir Centennial CommunityProject, Cheddar generous support of publicans,Huw and Jo Davies, the Vale Lions Clubtookonthe challenge of installing services of electrician Richard Gregory andall those who defibrillators in theCheddar Valley. The first one was supported the variousfundraising events, oneofthe Club’s installedatthe beginning of August, just outside the Centennial goals is being achieved. Afree training session Riverside Innatthe bottom of CheddarGorge. on CPR and how to use the defibrillator tookplace at CheddarVillage Hall in September. Lion President, Janet Clark, wasparticularlykeen that the defibrillatorswould be installed in locations,where they CheddarVale LionsClub willcontinuing their fundraising to could be available to the public at all times. With the finance adefibrillator for Blackford village.

Flint Lions FightProstate Cancer Aprostate cancer awareness event, held by Flint Lions at Free refreshments wereonhand for those waiting their Flint High schoolrecently,was an overwhelmingsuccess. turn and Flint Lionsmadethe mostofthe opportunity, to Some163 men weretested during the evening and speakaboutLions to their captiveaudience! The collecting another 70 or so plantoattendasimilarevent at buckets dotted around weregoodand heavy at theend of neighbouring Club,Mold, later this year. theevening.

Three phlebotomistswere on hand to carry outthe simple blood test, which only tookafew minutes per man. ›› PICTURED: Flint Lions at their prostate cancer awareness event

52 December2016/January 2017 www.lionsclubs.co HealtH Supporting Omagh Diabetes Centre

PICTURED: Presentation of the Omagh Lions donation to the Omagh Diabetes Centre

Omagh President,Margaret Geelan, presented a chequefor £500toDrAbdul Hameed, Consultant at Omagh Diabetes Centre. Also includedinthe image are communitydiabetes specialist nurses Breid McGirr,Hilary Patterson, Helena McKeever and dietician Jemma Robinson.The money was part of the funds raisedbythe Blue Grass Concert PICTURED: Paul Gormley and organised by Lion O'Reilly and club members. James Mc Shane from the Drunken Lullabies with event Taking part in the concertwere the Knottypine organiser and Past President, String Band and the Drunken Lullabies. Geraldine O'Reilly

Honiton Lions Club Raise Funds for Dermatoscope Lion President,BrianRichards, presentedadermatoscope "Not too manypeople realise thatskin cancers and to the doctors at HonitonSurgery,just in time for the melanomasrank in the topfiveofcancers in the UK, Club's 'mole-screening'day in October. and the dermatoscope allows the surgery to betterassist thecommunity. HeldatStPauls Church,doctors from the surgery TO FILL were present, accompanied by consultant dermatologist "Atsimilarevents, anumber of peoplehave beensurprised Dr Tony Downs. to have been diagnosed with melanoma before it became tooserious." Dr DannyMurphy fromHoniton Surgerysaid thatthis was avery important medicalinstrument that theHoniton Lions On the mole-screening day, thesurgery doctors helped the have funded, which enablesdoctors to spot suspectedskin Lions set up and run theevent. It wasawonderful, cancersand melanomas at the surgery. collaborativeeffort in awarenessofskin cancer to the community, and all in aid of Cancer Research. He said: "Asthe surgery has aGPtrained in dermoscopy, this willreduce theneedtosend patientsinto Exeterfor Lion John Quinton-Navarro,led the wayinorganising the testing, whenwecan do it on the spot. purchase of the dermatoscope for thesurgery. www.lionsclubs.co December 2016/January 2017 53 Sport

The 2016 TourofBritain took placebetween 4th and 11th Septemberand has been acclaimed as the very best editionofthe UK's national Tour to date by riders, fans,venuesand sponsors. The eight-dayrace attracted millions of spectators both liveatthe roadside and on television.

Tour of Britain PICTURED: Yellow bikes are Keswick Lionspulled outall the stops themwith afantasticbackdrop of the synonymous with recently whenthe Tour of Britain local mountains.One memberpainted the Tour camethrough their town. They their bike yellow as yellowbikes have organised a‘social’ at astrategicpoint become synonymous with therace, of stage twoofthe event,(Carlisle to and Alan createdasignofhuge Kendal). It wasthe longest andmost letters, six feet high,made from old challenging stage of the Tour. bedsheets, which read‘KESWICK LIONS’.Itwas spottedbythe Withthis year’s Lions’theme of ‘New helicopterfilming the race. mountainstoclimb’,organiser ZC Lion AlanDunnthoughtitappropriate to Therewas alarge turnout and hostthe event nearthe top of everyone had agreattime – Chestnut Hill in the town, whichwas a spectatorsmade as much noise as ‘King of theMountains’ points stage. they could when the race came past. Keswick Lions are making bigger Keswick Lionsinvited theirmembers plans for the next time the race goes and the publictowatch the race with through the town.

Windsor Lions Bonanza Horseride Windsor Lions’ biggest fundraiser of the Club’sannualcalendar, the ’Horseride in the Great Park’,reached its targetof650 riders,10daysbefore theevent washeld in September.

Thisyearmarked the event’s 40thanniversary and over the years, has raised morethan astaggering £2m for local charities and good causes.

The Horseride offersthe riders and horses the amazing ›› PICTURED: Members opportunity of riding in theglorious surroundings of Windsor of Windsor Lions and Great Park. The nine-mile course through lovely parkland friends building the course in Windsor consists of three courses runningside-by-side–advanced, Great Park novice and non-jumping, so something forevery rider.

54 December2016/January 2017 www.lionsclubs.co Sport

PICTURED: Discussing tactics in Thame

Blind Bowling With ThameLions Thame Lions Club,with ThameBowls Club,organised the firstever(in Oxfordshire) BlindBowlingCompetition in September.

Some24contestants tookpart from bowls club around the area, all with varyingdegrees of sight impairment.The winners, MaryPitman and Sarah Marshall, werepresentedwith aplaque to recognise their win. Sarah is amemberofthe EnglandBlind Bowling Team and she willbeplaying in the International Competition in South Africa next March. The uniform that the team wore wassponsored by Lions and the £2,000 raisedonthe day, will be split equally betweenBlind Veterans and Calibre Audio Books. Enthusiastic Swimmers!

Over £3,000was raisedatthe Oadby& Wigston Lions Club sponsoredswim, held at Parklands Leisure Centre.

The Mayor, Cllr RobEaton, came alongto support the event and wasimpressedby the enthusiasmofall taking part, particularly the youngsters.Hespoketoa five-year old boywho had just swum50 lengths,and wanted to have another go!

All swimmers went away happywith PICTURED: Mayoress Cllr LynEaton, Club the knowledge of how much they had President Jenny Fyfe, Mayor Cllr Rob Eaton and Lion Iain Bell at the sponsored swim helped to raise, acertificate anda'Lion' chocolate bar.

Parklands' lifesavers looked after thesafety of the swimmers, and Lions Club members tookcare of all theadministration duties.

OADBY &WIGSTON LIONSRISE TO THE CHALLENGE Oadby&Wigston LionsClub took up the challenge fromthe 'Gateway Club' in Wigston,toagames evening. Having played, darts, pool, indoor archery and PICTURED: Members of the Gateway bowls, theGateway Clubwon by just one Club hold up the trophy with a point.Betterlucknext timeLions! well-deserved grin on their faces www.lionsclubs.co December 2016/January 2017 55 Sport

PICTURED: Ravenous athletes at the evening meal Morpeth Lions at National Orienteering Championships

Earlier this year,Morpeth Lion Adrian Barnes came to the Morpeth Lion and Youth Officer,Les Brindley,and Adrian Club with adilemma. swung in to action and organised overnight accommodation for the Fridayand Saturday, the venue His club,Newcastle and Tyneside Orienteers were hosting for the evening meal, the disco and the food. The the Youth Home International Match, in Northumberland, teenagers lived up to their reputation of eating plates on behalf of the English Orienteering Association. Some full after their dayofactivityonNorthumberland’s 96 youngsters aged between 13 and 18 and their Simonside hills! coaches, were to converge on Morpeth for aweekend in October.The two orienteering courses were fixed but Feedback from coaches and athletes wasthat they accommodation, food and entertainment needed to be thoroughly enjoyedthe weekend and, in particular,the arranged so Adrian asked the Lions for their help. welcome they received in Morpeth.

Curlers Roar For Lions Dumfries Lions Club recently held their 23rd CharityCurling Curling, known as the ‘roaring game’ (because of the noise Tournament at Dumfries Icebowl. of the stones on the ice), is agame open to all and on this occasion competitors' ages ranged from six to 86. In fact, Some 16 teams, including from Wales and the English the winners of the Low Road were the Carson family Wheelchair Curlers, took part in the event, which consisted consisting of father,Ryan, and his three sons, Struan, 13, of six, 90-minute games over two days. After the first day, Orrin, 11 and nine year-old Logan. the teams were split into High Road and Low Road sections for the remaining three games. The eventual winners, after £1,500 wasraised for Dumfries Lions charityaccount and anumber of very hard-fought games in both sections, were for that, we are very grateful. Overall, the Curling local teams from New Abbey in the High Road and Tournament has raised in the region of £35,000 for Dalbeattie in the Low Road. Dumfries Charityaccount.

56 December2016/January 2017 www.lionsclubs.co Sport

PICTURED: Clevedon Rugby Club Juniors roaring like lions! Clevedon Lions ‘Dream Scheme’ As part of Clevedon Lions 'Dream Scheme', an award was made earlier this year to enable Clevedon Rugby Club to PICTURED: (L-R) Lion Club President, Paul Pollock, with buy new kit for its junior team. Eric the Lion with and Lion member,Glynn Hill

The kit, with the Lions emblem emblazoned the sleeves, has local youngsters when their annual Santa float tours the town been bought and the team photo shows the youngsters roaring before Christmas. likeLions! As always, the money raised this year will be donated to local One of our pictures show Eric the Lion with Lion Club President, groups who apply to the Lions 2017 Dream Scheme project. Paul Pollock, and Lion member Glynn Hill, who liaised with the club. Lions are again looking to support local clubs and associations complete aproject that will help their members and the Having already won aLions award, the Lions hope that the communityingeneral. junior team will win every match they play! Last year £3,500 helped 12 local groups and Lions hope that Clevedon Lions will be collecting at local supermarkets during awide range of communityprojects can be supported again December and will be out and about again with Santa to meet this year. www.lionsclubs.co December 2016/January 2017 57 Obituaries

OBITUARIESThese Lions of our Multiple District have recently left us. We honour their memory and the contribution they made in their Lionistic service for the good of others.

wasdiagnosed with avery aggressive ABEL: Lion PhiLiP Send in obituaries to Wirral Lions Club.Adedicated Lion for cancer just days after the MD convention over40years, Lion Phil wasaPast in Eastbourne, where he used his [email protected] President of the Club and, until recently, cupcakes to attract attention to his booth Please make sure they are engaged in all Club activities. He wasa in the entrance. He leavesbehind his no longer than 50 words true gentleman with avery warm heart − wife, Lion Sarah, and astunned club (after the Lion’s name and quite simply,one of the nicest men you and District. could wish to know.Hewill be fondly Club) to guarantee that HHH remembered and greatly missed by fellow they are published in full. Lions and friends. Our thoughts are with MchATTiE: Lion Alex his wife, Sheila, and all his family. DumbartonLionsClub. Alex wasa HHH prodigiousfundraiser, especially for Special OlympicsWest of Scotland. He hadbeena HHH ALLAn: Lion John Stewart (76) European Director of Special Olympics and MooRE: Lion BertieMJF (85) Anglesey Central Lions Club. Anglesey also,aDirectorofSpecial Olympics Great Douglas Valley LionsClub ALion for Central Lions Club are sad to report the Britain.When the GreatBritain Games 46 years, Bertiewas aCharter Member, death of Lion John. He wasagentleman, wereheld in Cardiff he, alongwith Presidentand DistrictOfficer,agreat Lion quietly spoken, alwaysthere to advise and sponsorship fromTunnock’s, organised a and friend. He wasastalwart to all Club gave his service willingly. train from GlasgowtoCardifftotransport activities, particularly active with Tacade Reliable and respected by all. all the Scottishathletestogether withtheir and Skills for Life projects.Above all, he HHH carers and families to the games.The wasatruegentleman, alwayskind, annual balls held in the Glasgow Marriot courteous and helpful to new and old ATKin: Lion Bryan (72) Hotel became almostaninstitution. It is members. He will be greatly missed. Berkhamsted Lions Club. Berkhamsted largely from his efforts that thefacilities Lions Club is greatly saddened to report HHH forathletes withlearning disabilities the death of Lion Bryan who battled with becamesostronginScotland.Hewas an oWEn:Lion norman (86) acute myeloid leukaemia for three years. Honorary Lionfor anumber of years Douglas Valley LionsClub. ALion for In his 15 years as an energetic Lion, Bryan beforejoining DumbartonLionsClub.He 32 years, Normanwas aPast President, a took aspecial interest in the SwanYouth wasavalued member of the Clubbut great Lion and friend. He wasastalwart to Project and getting young people more latterly,was unable to attend meetings all Club activities and had awry sense of involved in the life of the town. Our duetoill health. He passed away humour which reflected his merchantnavy heartfelt condolences go to his wife, Lindy, peacefully withall his family,wife Nancy, background. Above all, he wasatrue and family. daughter Marionand his two gentleman always kind,courteous and HHH granddaughtersaround him. helpful to new and old members. He will be sadlymissed. DAViES PhiL (71) HHH Bridgend Lions Club. Bridgend Lions Club HHH 105W is sad to report the loss of its MiLLAR: Lion Roger LlandrindodWells LionsClub. Llandrindod Immediate Past President, Lion Phil, who STRAW: Lion Charlie (81) Wells LionsClub is saddened to report the passed away peacefully in August after Bolton Lions. Charlie Straw wasamember death of Presidentand Past President, battling against ill health. ALion and a of Bolton Lions for 33 years. He wasa Roger,after adifficult illness.Roger,who gentleman, he wasserving his second great music fan and took agreat interest served Lionsfor 19 years, wasdedicated in our hospital radio service. As well as time as President of the Club,heisfondly to the social and fundraising activities of presenting our SundayRequest remembered and sorely missed by all. theClub. He provided storage and programme, he also acted as librarian HHH transportfor the tentsand shelters, and and compiler. alwaysshowed infinite patience when Despite ill health, he contributed fully to hiLL: Lion Martin 2d VDG 105M the Club’sactivities when he could. He Market Harborough 2012 LC and District trying to teach fellowmembers how to washeavily involved in our Christmas 105M. Only 58 years old and looking pitch them! Appeal and worked tirelessly to seek out forward to serving his Club as President Hispresence willbesadly missed. Our toys from shops and businesses in the this year and the District in two,Martin deepest sympathygoes to his family.

58 December2016/January 2017 www.lionsclubs.co Obituaries

Bolton area. During his last Illness, he Guiding Lion for Midhurst Lions and collected hundreds of toys and brought recipient of the International President’s them up to our Santa’sWorkshop at a Award, Geoffrey wasalwaysready to help local mill. Charlie wasavery approachable and support Lions and the community. He character who wasalwaysready to chat will be sorely missed by all who with friend or stranger.Hewill be very knew him. sadly missed by our Club and all who HHH knew him. Our love goes to Marilyn and his children. WILLIS: Ken (94) Bridgend Lions Club. Bridgend Lions Club HHH 105W is sad to report the passing in TWISSELL: Lion John Ward MJF (85) September of astalwart Charter Member. Lytham St Annes Lions Club. Lytham St Lion Ken, aquiet gentleman, wasalways Annes regrets to announce that John Ward actively engaged in every event Twissell,M.J.F.died October 5th 2016 aged throughout his membership but did not 85. After National Service, John began a seek office of anysort. He will always career in banking with Barclays Bank be remembered. rising to become manager of one of their HHH Blackpool branches in 1973 and in 1975, he became aLion in his local club. WOOD: Lion Peter He assumed the twin roles of Club Bristol Brunel Lions Club. Acommitted, Treasurer,and Trustee and Treasurer of caring Lion and loyalfriend to all those the Club’sHousing Association. During his who knew him, Peter served as President, time as Club Treasurer he oversawthe Activities Coordinator and wasanamazing distribution of more than £250,000 of Father Christmas. He wasarenowned charitable funds raised by the Club.John teller of ‘jokes’ to raise the spirit or put wasawarded his Melvyn Jones Fellowship things into perspective! His 40 year in 2011, as arecognition of his Service Chevron arrived three weeks after commitment and service in his local he passed away. community. Possessed of aquiet disposition and aready grasp of Club affairs, John wasapopular Club member with asupportivemanner and an understanding nature. Agentle man, a team player, and agentleman, he is greatly missed and the LSAclub extends its sincere condolences to Dorothy, son John Jr.and Joanne and Elaine.

HHH

WEAVER: Lion Graham Canterbury Lions Club. Canterbury Lions Club regrets to announce the sudden death of member,Graham Weaver. Graham had been amember for 11 years, but poor health limited his contributions to Club activities. However,his career in the media enabled him to perform the position of P. R.O.using his contacts with the local press. Although divorced, he remained on good terms with his former wife, Margaret, to whom we extend our sympathy.

HHH

WHITAKER: Lion Geoffrey (86) MJF Southbourne Lions Club. Southbourne (West Sussex) Lions Club.Adedicated Lion for 43 years, Geoffrey wasPresident of Chichester Lions three times and Charter President of Southbourne. He was President three more times, Zone Chairman and DeputyDistrict Governor; www.lionsclubs.co December 2016/January 2017 59 NEW YEAR – NEW CHALLENGE? A WEBSITE www.club-sites.co.uk Please consider fundraising for LIBRA FOR YOUR CLUB in 2017! From sponsored activities, • Your own domain name HOME through to afternoon tea parties and • Design includes your logo and colours quiz nights – there is so much you ABOUT US • On-line page editing for multiple users can do to provide support. Funds EVENTS • Easy to use calendar-of-events • Rota management for members help to ensure that the Haematology MEMBERS AREA - CHRISTMAS ROTA • An email address for each member Department at King’s College Hospital - IMAGE GALLERY

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www.lionsclubs.co December 2016/January 2017 61 Crossword .ALBERICHCROSSWORDS.COM :WWW CREDIT ACROSS DOWN

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October/November ACROSS DOWN 1 practical. 6 bash. 9 macabre. 10 spinner. 11 ogre. 1 pompous. 2 accordion. 3 tube. 4 clever. 5 Las Vegas. Crossword 12 degenerate. 14 skiers. 15 lacrosse. 18 innately. 6 bridegroom. 7 Sonya. 8 Greene. 13 fraternise. 19 morals. 22 disorderly. 24 char. 26 carbine. 16 spaghetti. 17 clueless. 18 induce. 20 strange. SOLUTION 27 glisten. 28 tyne. 29 saturnine. 21 blight. 23 surly. 25 pier.

62 December2016/January 2017 www.lionsclubs.co

TRAVEL INSURANCE Arranged by Golfguard

ANNUAL EUROPEAN COVER from £51 ANNUAL WORLDWIDE COVER from £76 The premium depends on the age, with cover being available up to 79 years subject to medical acceptance WORLDWIDE GOLF INSURANCE TRAVEL THE WORLD AND ENJOY 10% DISCOUNT COVER ALSO OFF ANNUAL PREMIUMS WHICH WE OFFER AVAILABLE TO LIONS AND THEIR FAMILIES

We can also arrange single trip cover, including cruises, for up to 120 days and no upper age limit.

For details of annual and single trip cover call us on 0800 581 801 or visit www.golfguard.com Offer available until 31/05/17. A copy of full terms and conditions is available on request. Golfguard Ltd. is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.