Did you know that the Carterton branch of the Lions Club is looking for new members? In becoming a member of an organisation such as Lions International, not only will you be able to help your local community by getting involved in a wide range of fundraising activities, but you will have the chance to meet new friends and have lots of fun.
By offering your talents and skills you will be able to play an active part in being part of a team of people who do extraordinary things to help others in the Witney area. You will also be part of a global organisation of 1.4 million people and 45,000 Lions Clubs around the world.
Lions Club International was established in 1917 by Chicago businessman Melvin Jones who wanted to draw on peoples’ talents to help improve the local communities that were struggling with the effects of World War I and the rapid industrialisation in the Chicago area. He quickly established various business clubs around the USA, creating the Association of Lions Clubs. It was thanks to the support of the Canadian Lions and the intervention of Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, that the first Lions Club was founded in London in 1950. Seventy-five years later, there are 1,000 Lions Clubs around the UK supported by 18,000 men and women. Overall, Lions Club International is the world’s largest service club association globally.
The Carterton Lions Club was formed in October 1985 by their ‘Mother’ Club of Witney. Since the Carterton Club was formed, they have raised in excess of £300,000 for a number of local and national needy causes. Carterton Lions Club was the first Lions Club in the UK to receive the ‘Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services,’ equivalent to the MBE.
Meeting on the first Tuesday of each month at 17 Corbett Road in Carterton, the local branch organises a number of events around the town annually whilst also enjoying various social meetings and outings. The Club is a wonderful way for people to meet new friends whilst supporting the local Carterton community.
Amongst the organisations the Carterton Lions have supported are the Oxfordshire Air Ambulance; Sobel house; Paramedic Motorcycles; Debra; Hearing Dogs for the Deaf; Alzheimer victims; providing books and various requirements for local Schools; buying such things as a special tricycle for a paraplegic youngster; planting trees in various places around and in different towns in our area. They have also offered direct assistance by members helping to move a partially sighted man and his injured wife to a new home.
Lion’s President and Secretary of Carterton Lions, Rosemary Calcutt, tells us more: “I do so hope that people reading this article will come along and find out more about the Carterton Lions. We are an active group, and the Club has a good social calendar. Club members are asked or allocated various roles and invited to join various fundraising Committees. We raise money for a wide range of things including over the past nine years running an Art Exhibition at the Carterton Community Centre in Marigold Square. We have also run large Motor Shows at Burford School and held race nights and car boots in the town. Christmas is a special time for Lions Club members as we tow Santa’s Sleigh around the town and also attend events such as switching on the town Christmas lights. Even though we have been restricted over the last couple of years with our fundraising events due to the Covid pandemic, we have still managed to raise £900. We would love to do so much more but we do desperately need more people to join us. Lions are ordinary people who do extraordinary things to help others.”
To become a member, you need to be 18 years of age or over, of good moral character with a good reputation in your local community. Membership fees are applicable, paid twice per annum with the amount determined by Lions Club head office.
To find out more about becoming a member of the Carterton Lions please contact Rosemary Calcutt on 01993 842655.
