About Haywards Heath Lions Club

Summary

Lions Club International

Our main focus has always been on local support and up to 80% of what we raise, stays and goes local. However, we are also part of a wider, international organisation – Lions Clubs International. Involvement with Lions Clubs International means that we also contribute to international appeals to provide funds for those affected by international disaster such as Haiti. If you’d like to know about the wider Lions Club International group and their actives, please click on this link to be taken to their official website: lionsclubs.org

Fund Raising

Our fund raising events and activities include local street collections, jumble sales and attending many local fetes raising funds through games. However, we have two main fund raising activities, our annual Swimarathon and our Christmas Carol collections.

Our Swimarathon has been held for over 30 years and in that time we estimate to have raised over £300,000 for local charities and good causes. In 2013 our chosen beneficiary was Canine Partners, a Sussex based charity that provides assistance dogs for people with disabilities. Sixty four teams of 6 swimmers swam every hour from 8.00 am until 6.00 pm raising funds for their chosen charity and our chosen good cause and the funds raised enabled Haywards Heath Lions to present a cheque for £9000. As a result of this donation, we have provided for 4 dogs for disabled people locally in and around Haywards Heath. On a similar note, our Christmas Carol collections helped raise over £5000 which was eventually distributed to local people in 2014.

Club Meetings

We meet formally twice a month, normally on the 1st Monday of each month for a business meeting where current activities are discussed and future ones approved and then meet socially on the 3rd Monday of each month for a dinner meeting or social activity where we sometimes have a speaker.

Our business meetings are normally held at Lindfield Golf Club, East Mascalls Lane, Lindfield, RH16 2QN on the first Monday of each month at 5pm and covers the more formal club matters & HHLC members can have their say about what the Club is doing.

Membership & Subscription

If helping others and for a sense of purpose and personal satisfaction that comes from serving and helping others, then come and join us!

As members we pay an annual subscription in two halves, due in January and July and which covers all admin activities within the club. No money raised through our activities is used to manage the club. Instead, it all goes to good causes. You give of your time as and when you can but members are expected to take part in local fund raising activities and to contribute to the running of the club.

For more information and an opportunity to meet other members please Contact our Club Secretary by calling 0345 833 5807 or email: enquiries@haywardsheathlionsclub.org.uk

How You can Get Involved

Lions Clubs International – A Little History

The International Association of Lions Clubs began as the dream of Chicago businessman Melvin Jones. Melvin Jones was born in 1879; in 1913 he formed his own Insurance agency.

He joined a local businessmen’s luncheon group and asked: “What if these men, who are successful because of their drive, intelligence and ambition, were to put their talents to work improving their communities?” At his invitation, delegates from men’s clubs met in Chicago to lay the groundwork for such an organization and on June 7, 1917, Lions Clubs International was born.

Clubs were not to be social in nature nor were members permitted to promote their own business interests. Jones eventually devoted himself full time to Lions International. As a result of his dynamic leadership the Lions Clubs earned the prestige necessary to attract civic-minded members. The association’s founder was also recognized as a leader outside the association. One of his greatest honours was in 1945 when he represented Lions Clubs International as a consultant in San Francisco, California, at the organization of the United Nations.

In 1925, Helen Keller addressed the Lions international convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, USA. She challenged Lions to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.” From this time, Lions clubs have been actively involved in service to the blind and visually impaired. Melvin Jones’ personal code was “You can’t get very far until you start doing something for somebody else” – This became a guiding principle for public-spirited people the world over. He died in 1961 at 82 years of age.

Questions? Let's Talk

Telephone Numbers

Club Secretary:

0345 833 5807

Email Address

All enquiries:

enquiries@haywardsheathlionsclub.org.uk