Billingshurst Lions Club: Who are the Lions?

Who are the Lions? How did it all begin and what do Lions do in the world today?

Billingshurst & District Lions Club is well over here, from Lions Clubs in Canada. known in the area from our Jengers Mead To thank them, the then Queen sent her equerry, Charity Bookshop, projects at local Primary Colonel Edward Wyndham (later Lord Leconfield) to Schools and Santa at Christmas, but many Canada. He was so impressed that Windsor people remain unaware of the extent of (Ontario) Lions Club agreed to sponsor the the organisation, how it started, how it first Lions Club in London with Lord came to the UK and how it is spread Leconfield as its founder Charter President. around the world… Today, Her Royal Highness Countess of

The Lion movement was formed in 1917, Wessex is Royal Patron of the 800 Lions when Chicago business man, Melvyn Clubs in the UK. Jones, along with others, wondered what Billingshurst & District Lions Club was would happen if people put their talents to ‘We serve’ formed in 1974 and in the subsequent 46 work in providing help to poverty stricken years, as many will know, the Club has provided communities. The idea spread throughout America financial and practical help for many causes in the and Lions Club International (LCI) was created on area. For example in the last two years to June the formation of the first Lions Club in Canada. 2020, the Club donated £53,000. Typically, in the

Today, LCI is a worldwide service organisation in proportion 70% local, 30% international, often for 235 countries with 48,000 clubs and 1.4 million disaster appeals from LCI, where funds provided are members worldwide: “Where there is a need, there is all administered by the local Lions Club in that area. a Lion”. Each Lions Club is unique with the object of A truly worldwide service organisation. encouraging volunteers to serve their immediate You can keep up to date with Billingshurst & community with whatever it needs. District Lions Club through their Facebook page and

Lions came to Great Britain following intervention on their website www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/billingshurst by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Harvey Holmes Mother. After the war, on morale boosting visits to NEWS FLASH. Santa and his Elves are looking at poor areas of London with King George VI, she ways he can safely tour Billingshurst and nearby learned of orphaned children receiving food and villages this year and bring Christmas cheer clothing through Canadian servicemen stationed in these difficult times. Watch this space.

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