Grantham Lions are calling for new members
Grantham Lions Club is a charitable group formed in 1971, part of Lions Clubs International, the largest service organisation in the world.
Best known in the town for its annual Santa sleigh tour before Christmas, the Lions’ main activities are fund-raising, supporting good causes and welfare in the community.
The club is made up of paid members and has a small board of directors who oversee the legal and moral welfare. However, in recent years, membership has been on the decline. Now down to just 11 members from a high of 36 just a short while ago, the Grantham Lions are searching for fresh faces to help them with their various good deeds.
The club will be holding a ‘what it’s like to be a Lion’ meeting at the Angel & Royal Hotel, in the King’s room, on Thursday, March 19, from 7.30pm.
Club president Phil Marshall said: “Being part of Lions gives you a sense of achievement, a sense of purpose. It doesn’t matter what walk of life you’re from, anybody is welcome.
“With the funds we raise, everyone in the group gets to have their say on where the money goes, but Lions isn’t just about raising money, it’s also about social care.
“We are now seeking more like-minded individuals and/or groups to support or help our club with a view to potential membership and help continue the good work carried out by Lions in the past, to take us forward into the future.”
Funds raised by the Grantham Lions are held within the club’s charity account, which is for supporting causes discussed at the twice-monthly meetings. All donations granted are voted upon by all members present at the meeting, giving everyone a say on how the funds are distributed.
The majority of funds raised are donated back to good causes that benefit the local area, including Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Rainbows Children’s Hospice in Loughborough, St Barnabas Hospice and Kesteven Rideability. The club also donated a defibrillator to Wyndham Park recently.
Grantham Lions elect a club president each year for a one- year term of office. The role of the president is to chair meetings and guide the club in its activities throughout the year.
A club secretary and treasurer are also elected each term for one- to two-year terms.
An activity chairperson heads up the fund-raising team and is responsible for making funds available to the club for any causes its members wish to support. Fund-raising activities include the annual Santa sleigh, horse racing nights and a ‘bed push’.
A community services chairperson heads up the team responsible for investigating requests for help, be it financial or any other type of request made to the club. These requests are then brought to the club meetings for further discussion before being voted on democratically by members.
Phil continued: “Being a member of Lions brings with it many important social aspects, from taking part in club activities, engaging with the public, working as a team, and raising awareness of moral welfare within the local community. This then creates and encourages a great spiritual understanding of social wellbeing.
“If you have some spare time – you do not have to attend all club meetings – and would like to spend some of that time in a rewarding, social, worthwhile and fun way then please attend our ‘what it’ like to be a Lion’ meeting at Angel & Royal hotel.
“Being part of the Lions will make you feel proud.”
Anyone interested in joining Grantham Lions can email lionsclubgrantham@gmail.com or go to www.facebook.com/lionsclubgrantham
