News from Fleet Lions
9 May 2012
SpecTrek
On Sunday, 15 April, Fleet Lions handed over 3,500 pairs of used/unwanted spectacles to SpecTrek organisers Petersfield Lions Club.
Shortly afterwards, Petersfield Lions reported that a grand total of 116,600 pairs of spectacles had been collected plus hearing aids and mobile phones for recycling. This was the 30th year of running SpecTrek and the grand total of spectacles collected by Lions Clubs in the south of England over this period is a staggering 2,440,000.
"Thanks go to all the public who donate their used/unwanted spectacles to us" said the Fleet Lions' SpecTrek co-ordinator, Lion Grahame Pullen, "They are mainly collected in our specially marked collecting bins in four opticians in Fleet - Specsavers, Harwoods, Leightons and Brown & Whites - and Vision Express in Aldershot."
Next year the newly formed Aldershot Lions will collect from Vision Express Aldershot and they are hoping to add more collection points around the town centre.
"The value of these spectacles to those people with impaired sight in Third World Countries cannot be over-emphasised," said Lion Grahame Pullen, and added "participating in SpecTrek must be counted as one of the most worthwhile jobs."
27 March 2012
Diabetes Awareness
On Saturday 31st March Fleet Lions will be asking shoppers in the Hart Centre in Fleet whether they have been screened for Diabetes or are aware of the serious side effects this disease has when not controlled such as glaucoma, kidney failure, heart problems or possible gangrene with the loss of lower limbs.
Diabetes can be controlled but detection is required. Fleet Lions Club is working with Lloyds Pharmacy who will be undertaking simple blood tests to check for the condition.
Diabetes is a common life-long health condition. There are 2.9 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK and an estimated 850,000 people who have the condition but don't know it.
Everyone is at risk but the largest proportion of those found with diabetes are over 40, are overweight and have little or no exercise regime. There are symptoms which are recognisable by the patient - sudden loss of weight, excessive thirst and the subsequent use of the loo, tiredness and blurred vision, to name but a few.
Diabetes Awareness is a major Lions Clubs project. Lions are also working with Diabetes UK, who publish many and varied leaflets and handouts giving details of who is at risk, how to deal with diabetes without letting it disrupting your life, diet, travel and driving.
Said Fleet Lions Club President, Lion Ken Carter "Between the three organisations, Lions Clubs, Lloyds Pharmacy and Diabetes UK, we can work together to find possible diabetics and guide them in the right direction to be treated and avoid the side effects mentioned above."
Read more about Diabetes Awareness
2 February 2012
Aldershot Lions Officially Recognised
Aldershot Lions have received official recognition from Lions Clubs International on the Club's founding members being formally inducted as a branch of Fleet Lions. The ceremony was held at the Lismoyne Hotel, Fleet at the beginning of February in front of Lions representing the sponsoring Clubs of Hart, Hook and Odiham, Farnborough and Fleet Lions as well as Farnham Lions and Lions dignitaries from across the region.
Said Fleet Lion President, Ken Carter, "Aldershot has been part of the Fleet Lions' area for the past 38 years. We have sought on a number of occasions to establish a separate club in Aldershot and are pleased that this now looks likely with the setting up of a Club Branch in Aldershot. Once the Branch reaches 20 members it will be chartered as a Lions Club in its own right."
The founding members of Aldershot Lions badged up at the meeting include the new Club's inaugural President, Ian Hambleton and the current Mayor of Rushmoor, Cllr Alex Crawford.
Said Cllr Crawford, "it is important that service minded people in the area are encouraged to join Aldershot Lions which, as part of the world's largest service organisation, has outstanding potential for community service." People interested in joining Aldershot Lions should contact Lion Grahame Chenery on 01252 617033.
Fleet Lions are also looking to attract new members and the Club is holding an open evening on Wednesday 7th March at the Lismoyne Hotel, Fleet. Further details can be obtained from Lion Mike Collen on 01252 614086.
Pictured are Aldershot Lion President Ian Hambleton, Lion Carol Cross, Lion Carole Hambleton, Lion Janet Jones and Lion Alex Crawford together with Fleet Club's President, Lion Ken Carter
Find our more information on Aldershot Lions...
Fleet Lions attended convention on the Isle of Wight....
