Lions' pride

I am well aware that some of the visitors to my blog not only recognise that logo but know a lot more than I do about the work of Lions Clubs around the world. If you are one of those, then by all means feel free to click the ‘next blog' link at the top of the page. Come to that, even if you are not one of those there is nothing I can do to stop you clicking that link, but I do hope you will bear with me for a couple of minutes.

What you may not realise is that the International Association of Lions Clubs is the world's largest volunteer service organisation with over 1.3 million members spread across more than 200 countries and geographic areas. That is part of the problem, at least it is here in England. Although the Lions are big across the world, it seems that very few people have heard of us and what we do. Why is it that people have heard of Rotary even though (here) they are a lot less active than Lions? It doesn't help that the British rugby team is known as the British Lions, nor that Brighton once had an ice hockey team known as the Tigers, although there are fewer and fewer people who remember that and ask if we are a new version. It's not just Brighton Lions Club, but others in our area as well who find it almost impossible to get a mention in our so-called local paper. And as for radio or television - well, forget it. If it is the same where you come from, do help by looking out for the Lions badge and supporting your local club - you don't have to be a member to do that. And if you don't know what Lions Clubs do, visit http://www.lionsclubs.org/ for the international organisation, or www.brightonlions.org.uk for my club. You'll find that ordinary people - just like you - can do amazing things.