Barnstaple Lions Club is part of the International Organisation of Lions Clubs operating worldwide with a membership in excess of 1.3 million in over 44,000 clubs and 202 Countries.
Lions Clubs International is the worlds largest service organisation dedicated to helping others in the  community.

Although the majority of the money raised locally is donated to local needs, Barnstaple Club is also involved with LCIF (Lions Clubs International Foundation) providing  money and technical knowledge to dig water wells and introduce hygiene to the remote villages in Africa and India (Water Aid).  Providing doctors and clinics to remove cataracts and restoring the sight to people in 3rd world countries. (Sight First & now Sight First 2) and many other deserving causes.

Did you know that the Lions were the originators of the white cane for the blind. This came from our association with Helen Keller in 1925 who challenged the Lions to become"Knights for the Blind".

Recently Aid has been given to the Tsunami victims in Indonesia, Sri Lanka & India and the Pakistan and Italian earthquakes. Lions teams are also working in Haiti, providing much need help with tents, food & water. To date In access of $1.5 million  has con in from Clubs all over the World.

The first Club was formed in the USA in 1917 by Melvin Jones and the first Club in England formed in 1950 (London Host Club). There are now over 900 Clubs in the UK & Ireland. Locally there are Clubs in:  Bideford,  Holsworthy,  Ilfracombe, Lynton & South Molton.