Lions Clubs International, the World’s largest voluntary service club organisation is holding its Lions Awareness Week. From 9th to 17th October, many Lions from the 970 Clubs in towns, cities and villages throughout the UK and Ireland are working together to demonstrate some of the work that they do.

Lions Clubs exist to serve anyone and everyone in the community in times of need. Lions are ‘ordinary’ men and women who volunteer their time to humanitarian causes in their local and global communities. Lions are central and vital to their local communities. It is the hands on role in improving local people’s quality of life that really encapsulates the spirit of the Lion.

Across the British Isles and Ireland, Lions Clubs work in partnership with and support a wide range of organisations active in the community including Diabetes UK, Diabetes Federation of Ireland, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, International Glaucoma Association, Medic Alert, Sight Savers International and Tacade (Teaching Aids for Alcohol and Drug Education). Clubs all across the British Isles and Ireland support young people by recognising their efforts and providing them with opportunities to learn achieve and grow.

An integral part of Lions Awareness week is Lions Sight First Day.

Ever since 1921 when they were challenged by Helen Keller to become ‘knights of the blind’ members of Lions Clubs International have upheld an unmatched involvement in working for causes associated with blind and sight impaired people throughout the World.

In the 90 years since Helen Keller's challenge Lions can claim many successes in sight related initiatives including the introduction of the white cane for blind people. In recent years Lions Worldwide has raised over $22 million in their quest to eradicate unnecessary blindness globally. This commitment is unparalleled.

As a part of their commitment to sight related causes Lions World Sight Day has been held annually since 1998 to highlight the importance of eradicating preventable blindness and improving sight. An increasing number of Lions clubs are using this occasion to collect eyeglasses, conduct vision and diabetes screenings and plan educational programmes to inform their communities about the importance of sight and diseases such as diabetes that can impact sight.

Around the World Lions are recognised for their achievements and a Financial Times survey identified Lions Clubs International as being the best Non Governmental Organisation with which companies and corporations preferred to work. This is due to a vast global network of Clubs and an ethic which ensures that every penny donated for charitable and humanitarian purposes is efficiently used to provide maximum benefit.

Biggin Hill & Westerham Lions were in Sainsburys Otford on the 8th & 9th October and collected over £300 from shoppers whilst also letting them know a little about Lions. Lion President Malcolm Lowing said “We are very grateful to Sainsburys for allowing us to collect in the store, and to their shoppers for their generosity. The Club is always looking for new members to enable it to carry on its good work in the community. Interested parties can phone Malcolm Lowing on 01959 576628 or visit www.bigginlions.2ya.com