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. Providing the 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).
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".
More recently Aid has been given to the Tsunami victims in Indonesia, Sri Lanka & India and the Pakistan earthquake 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 we have Clubs in: Bideford, Bude & Stratton, Holsworthy, Ilfracombe, Lynton & South Molton. For more information on the International aspects of the organisation please visit the International web-site: www.lionsclubs.org