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The Lions Club of Rutland: Was created in 1975 and is a small but important part of the International Association of Lions Clubs, the largest service organisation in the world with 44,500 Clubs in 205 countries, and with a total of 1.3 million members. In the pages of this website you will find information describing what the Rutland Lions do to help their local community - particularly supporting those less fortunate than ourselves. Being a Rutland based club we use most of our resources to support Rutlanders, over the last 35 years have contributed many thousands of pounds each year to help local organisations and individuals. We do also support in conjunction with other clubs National and International projects and appeals - this includes the Lions Clubs International responses to disasters throughout the world.
KEEP UP TO DATE WITH RUTLAND LIONS
Lions Visit Uppingham Cricket Club: Twenty-nine members of Rutland Lions visited Uppingham Cricket Club, Wednesday 16th May, as guests of chairman, Charlie Scott, and his team. Charlie gave a short talk headlining the development of the club and their new ground over the last four years or so, which has cost around £700K. This money has been raised both nationally through organisations like the ECB and Sport England, as well as locally through donation and club fundraising activity.
Rutland Lions, as part of their support of junior sport within Rutland, have contributed toward the development through two donations totalling £1,500. This has gone toward practice nets and a bowling machine (in picture below), both of which help provide a state of the art environment for coaching young cricketers.
CHAIRMAN CHARLIE SCOTT (R), THANKS PRESIDENT NIGEL CAMPION FOR THE SUPPORT OF RUTLAND LIONS
Rutland Lion Elected Oakham Town Mayor: At the AGM of Oakham Town Council on Wednesday 9th May, Lion Alf Dewis was elected Oakham Town Mayor for the next year. Mayor Alf could be known as "Mr. Oakham", as he will be Mayor, Chairman of the Oakham Town Partnership and a serving Lion concurrently. In his first interview with our webmaster, Chairman Alf refuted suggestions that there would be any conflict of interest, commenting that he felt the three organisations were highly synergistic, in that they all existed to enhance Oakham and improve the lot of people in Oakham & Rutland. I am sure we all wish Alf every success in the coming year.
LION ALF DEWIS - MAYOR OF OAKHAM
Presentation to Royce Rangers Saturday 5th May: As part of a continued support of junior sports clubs in Rutland, Chairman of Community Service, Mike Cropper represented Rutland Lions at Royce Rangers annual presentation evening. Whilst he was there he remembered he had to present a cheque for £250 for club trophies to Rangers Chairman, Chris Green, and even more fortunately, a man with a camera was there to record the happy scene!
ROYCE RANGERS CHAIRMAN CHRIS GREEN WITH MIKE CROPPER
First Catering Event Falls Foul of Weather: Rutland Lions first catering event of the 2012 season fell foul of the weather, today Sunday 29th April. It had been intended to feed the large crowds who gather to see the start of the annual CiCLE Classic cycle race in Oakham High Street, delicious bacon and sausage baps, accompanied by tea, coffee, and hot chocolate. Lashing rain, winds gusting to 25mph and temperatures around 4 deg C, were enough to thwart all but the most valiant of spectators, but not the competitors who began the race at 11.00am and passed back through Oakham High Street again at 12.10pm.
THEY'RE OFF; RACE START BY OAKHAM MARKET SQUARE
The District Governor Comes Calling: Lion District Govenor Robin Duke joined members of Rutland Lions at their meeting at The Whipper-In Hotel, Wednesday 18th April. Lion Robin commented that he was honoured to visit, and said he felt that he had the best job in the world, visiting so many Lion clubs in the East of England region. He said that no two clubs are the same, but all 60 clubs in his region live up to the Lions International motto, "We Serve".
Lion Robin informed members that the MD-105 appeal toward the Blind Veterans (formerly St. Dunstan's) had now closed, having raised a fantastic £116,800. For more information click Blind Veterans. Robin then mentioned two further projects that he felt proud about. Firstly the global project to plant One Million trees. Robin reported that world-wide a stagerring 8.2 million trees had now been planted and of the 1,250 he pledged for MD-105E, 4,900 had so far been planted.
Lastly, and of great interest, he mentioned the Young Leaders in Service project. Lions clubs are aiming to identify young people between the ages of 11 &18, who are serving their community. Robin talked about the Lincoln club where they had hooked up with an organisation that supported young unpaid carers, and went on to comment that Lions were aiming to get the silver and gold leaf awards recognised by the Scouting Association. The overall aim is to identify, recognise and reward these young people...............food for thought in our area! For more information click Young Leaders in Service
PRESIDENT NIGEL CAMPION WELCOMES DISTRICT GOVENOR ROBIN DUKE TO RUTLAND LIONS
2012 Fundraising Plans Take Shape: Following a record fundraising year in 2011, Rutland Lions are preparing for another active year raising funds. The programme for 2012 is now largely planned, with an increase in our catering presence at local events, as well as taking on the management of car parking and payment at The Rutland Agricultural Show on Sunday June 3rd. To see the full fundraising programme click Club Projects.
More About Rutland Lions in Rutland Living March 2012: In a full page article in March's edition of Rutland Living, President Nigel Campion tells reporter Amander Meade about the history of Lions International and what Rutland Lions are all about. Click Read All About It to find the article.
Rutland Lions Award Donations Totalling £1,400: At their meeting on 7th March 2012, Rutland Lions approved three donations following presentation by Community Service Chairman Mike Cropper. The first was £500 for "Warning Zone", a charity that enlightens year six school children about understanding risk, consequence of actions, peer pressure and personal responsibility. This is the High Sherriff, Peter Lawson's, chosen charity, and it was felt appropriate that we reciprocate the great support Peter has given us over the last year. The second donation of £500 was for re-stocking children's toys and craft items at the visitors centre at Stocken Prison. Finally a donation of £400 was approved to enable Market Overton Cricket Club to rejuvenate their junior membership, and run junior teams this year.
RATS Panto Evening & Meal 16th February 2012: Rutland Lions hosted an evening meal and trip to the annual RATS pantomime on Thursday 16th February for local people with physical and learning disabilities along with their carers. Over 60 people attended the meal at the Railway Inn followed by the panto at Victoria Hall. Lions and their partners joined guests, served and waited tables.
PRESIDENT NIGEL CAMPION POSES WITH GUESTS
For more images of the evening click RATS Panto & Meal
Record Breaking Year: Chairman of Fundraising, Lion Allan Grey, reported to the first club meeting of 2012 that it had been a record year for fundraising. Firstly we had the best ever Fireworks Display raising £5,800 and beating the previous best in 2008. This was followed by the Xmas Tableau, again a record year, raising a fantastic £4,300, and bringing the total raised throughout 2011 to £13,700. During the same period the club has donated £15,200 to charitable causes, around 90% of which has stayed in Rutland.
For full year fundraising navigate to Fundraising
For full year donations navigate to Community Service Donations
The Rutland Lions Xmas Tableau: Every Christmas Rutland Lions Fundraising & Community Service teams get togther to bring the spirit of Xmas to the streets of Oakham & Uppingham. Santa Claus arrives in his sleigh playing Xmas carols and songs supported by a team of helpers. We are usually eagerly awaiting by children and adults alike, and after ensuring children have been good and enquired what they want for Christams, Santa hands out sweets to everyone.
SANTA CELEBRATES WITH SOME OF HIS ADORING FANS IN TRENT ROAD OAKHAM AT THE END OF THIS YEAR'S TABLEAU.
TO SEE THE XMAS TABLEAU STORYBOARD CLICK
Off To See Santa, Courtesy of Rutland Lions: Lion David Kirtland was delighted to be able to secure a donation of £200 from Rutland Lions to support eight special needs children from Parks School on their annual trip to Peterborough to see Santa. Along with David, parents, carers and govenors, David waits at Oakham for the train.
PARKS SCHOOL OFF TO SEE SANTA
Pacesetters Set for Another Ten Weeks: Pacesetters is a partnership project between Leicetershire & Rutland NHS, and the Local Sports Alliance (LSA), part of Rutland County Council. It has recently completed a ten week course to provide mixed sports for a range of disabled and special needs adults. The course has been run at Catmose College Sports Centre by professional trainers. To enable a further ten week course to be undertaken, Rutland Lions have donated £250 to cover the cost of the hire of the Sports hall and the professional trainer. At a presentation event today to mark the completion of the first course, Community Services Chair, Mike Cropper presented a cheque to the NHS/LSA team of Bernard Powell and Rich Kerr.
MIKE CROPPER PRESENTS A CHEQUE TO BERNARD POWELL, WITH RICH KERR & SOME OF THE PACESETTER PARTICIPANTS
CLICK CAKE FOR MORE IMAGES
Royce Rangers Say Thank You: A young footballer, Harry Sargood, aged 12, heard about Dine for the Lions, and the aim to support junior sports clubs in Rutland. He wrote to Rutland Lions asking whether they could help his team , Royce Rangers Under 13s, who needed new lightweight jackets in which to train or warm up before matches. Lions were delighted to be able to donate £300 to cover the cost of the jackets. President Nigel Campion and Lion Keith Tyers were invited along before Royce Ranger's match against Barwell on Sunday 11th December so that coach Justin Lysandrou, Harry and his team could say thank you for our support.
Greater Mobility for Marigold Ball: On behalf of Rutland Lions, Community Services chairman Mike Cropper has presented Rutland resident Marigold Ball with a new mobility scooter. This will help Marigold reach her local shops and join in with community activities. Marigold had been identified as a suitable candidate for the scooter by her carer, Bev Cardall, who recognised that Marigold was becoming increasingly isolated in her house. HomeCare Rutland's founder Gillie Loft explained that by providing the same carers, day in, day out, they are able to build up an effective relationship and understand peoples needs that much better.
FROM L to R: LION MIKE CROPPER, MARIGOLD BALL, NEIL MOVERLEY (VAR), GILLIE LOFT & BEV CARDALL
Operation Xmas 2011: A major element of Operation Christmas has been delivered by Rutland Lions in conjunction with Rutland Community Spirit and Voluntary Action Rutland. Over 30 members of Rutland Lions found the Rutland shopping public in a generous mood outside the Coops in Oakham & Uppingham and Tesco in Oakham Friday & Saturday 2nd & 3rd December, collecting Christmas fare valued at around £7,500. An estimated 3,500 food items were packed into over 300 bags of groceries and delivered to individuals and families within Rutland needing a little extra support and recognition this Christmas.
A LARGE CROWD ATTENDED THE RUTLAND LIONS FIREWORK DISPLAY AT OAKHAM RUGBY CLUB
Firework Display November 5th 2011: A large crowd of around 1,500 people attended the Rutland Lions Firework Display at Oakham Rugby Club on Saturday 5th November. The weather remained dry and the foggy conditions cleared so that everyone had a great view of the highly professional display by Hi-5 Fireworks. The evening started with a display primarily for children and continued with a larger, noisier display for all the family. Over 650 giant sized hamburgers and hotdogs were served by the Lions catering team along with hot and cold drinks. Rutland Lions would like to thank everyone who attended, Oakham Rugby Club for their support and a big thank you to all our Local Business Sponsors who kindly supported the event. The event raised over £5,500 which will be used to support local charities over the coming twelve months. To view more images from the day click "I'd Like to View More Images Please"
Rutland Lions Collaborate in Operation Christmas 2011: On Thursday 3rd November at the Rutland VAR Centre, The High Sheriff of Rutland officially launched Operation Christmas. This project aims to reach the vulnerable and lonely at Christmas with gifts of toys, food, and a little bit of sparkle. Operation Christmas is a joint venture between Rutland Lions, Rutland Community Spirit and Voluntary Action Rutland, who are working with local businesses such as Land's End, Kevin O'Brien Gas Services, and local and national projects including the Toy Soldier Appeal. As part of Operation Christmas Rutland Lions will operate their annual tin collection outside Oakham Tescos & Coop, and Uppingham Coop on Friday 2nd & Saturday 3rd December.
LION MIKE CROPPER REPRESENTING RUTLAND LIONS AT THE LAUNCH OF OPERATION CHRISTMAS 2011
Jackson Stops - Dine for the Lions Top Performers: Dave & Laura Graveling of The Jackson Stops beat many other restaurants by miles in the recent Dine for the Lions promotion by collected a magnificent £184. The promotion ran throughout September in aid of junior sport in Rutland and across 26 restaurants raised a grand total of £1010. After Lion Chris Wallis presented a certificate acknowledging their excellent support, Dave & Laura thanked all their staff and customers for the enthusiastic way in which they supported this worthy promotion.
LION CHRIS WALLIS with DAVE & LAURA GRAVELING
Rutland Day 17th September 2011: Members of Rutland Lions were out in force on Rutland Day at Rutland Water. Club members again organised the car parking for Anglian Water as well as running a Dine for the Lions special in conjunction with the Food & Drink Festival. In total around £700 will have been raised over the day for the fundraising account; thanks to everyone involved including three special ladies.
Presentation to Cottesmore Amateurs 17th September 2011: Community Service chairman Mike Cropper presents a cheque for £1500 to Barry Suggett, manager of Cottesmore Amateurs Football Club U18s, and club Chairman, Allan Westray. This money along with many other offers of financial and physical help will enable Cottesmore Amateurs to resume home football matches after an arson attack destroyed most of their equipment recently. Unfortunately there will be no U18 team this season, but Allan stated that they are determined to have an U18 side playing in the floodlit league next season, and the support from Rutland Lions will help that happen.
ALLAN WESTRAY, MIKE CROPPER & BARRY SUGGETT
Rutland Sailability Supporters Day 8th September 2011: Lions Charles Robertshaw, David Thompson & Brian Naylor represented members at Rutland Sailability Supporters' Day at Rutland Sailing Club. They were hosted by Phillip Ashton and shown what organisation and facilities exist for the disabled who wish to take up sailing. Rutland Sailability have around 200 members, half of whom are able-bodied and may become Helpers or Instructors; they are also supported by the majority of local Rotary Clubs and a number of commercial companies, not least Cummins Generators Technologies. Rutland Sailability need around £45,000 per annum to operate, but currently have over £20,000 in their bank account, so although a fantastic charity, they are not currently in financial need. The Lions day was completed by taking to the water and taking the helm of one of the Sailability boats. To see our boys click Sailability Supporters Day.
The Beating Retreat 7th September 2011: Rutland Lions attending their regular meeting at The Whipper-In Hotel were treated to the music of The Minden Band of the Queen's Division at the 7th Annual Beating Retreat in Oakham Market Square. Historically The Beating Retreat was used to recall patrolling troops back to their castle after a days fighting, but is now ceremonial and organised by the Leicestershire & Rutand Branch of the Army Benevelent Fund. For more images click The Beating Retreat.
THE MINDEN BAND OF THE QUEEN'S DIVISION BEATING RETREAT
Tiger Invades the Lions Den: The Lions catering team at the second OTP Car Boot sale on Sunday 28th August were taken by surprise when the Leicester Tigers mascot paid a visit. As a meat eater, he made straight for the barbeque, shoved Brian Skevington out of the way and cooked himself a "Skevy-Burger". The car boot sale was in aid of local sports clubs and the Lions catering has returned a profit of over £290.
LIONS DEN INVADED BY TIGER
Involved - You Bet We Are! 20th August 2011: The Rutland Lions Catering Team were out in force to dispense over 300 hamburgers, 150 hot dogs, along with soft drinks, tea & coffee at the Involved event in Cutts Close yesterday. Involved was run by the RCC Community Safety Team for young people between 11 & 18.
LOCAL PC SUE COCKERILL SAMPLES OUR WARES BEFORE THE EVENT
for a couple more images from yesterday go to Photo Gallery (2)
Rutland Lions Pledge Support to Local Football Club 3rd August 2011: At their quarterly business meeting members of Rutland Lions voted unanimously to pledge £1500 to Cottesmore Amateurs Football Club to help them restablish competitive football at Rogues Park after the arson attack that destroyed virtually all their equipment. Goal posts, nets, generator, floodlight swithgear and two ride on mowers were destroyed in the fire. Lions were one of many local organisations that have offered help, ours hopefully going toward re-establishing the floodlights for the U18s who play in a floodlit league.
Press Report 28th July 2011: To read the latest press report in the Rutland Times about Rutland Lions click HERE
OTP Car Boot Catering 24th July 2011: The Rutland Lions catering team were back on the road for the first time since the Fireworks display last November. The event was a car boot sale outside the RCC offices at Catmose organised by the Oakham Town Partnership, and raising funds in order to support junior sport in Rutland, one of our chosen themes this year. Over 50 car booters were in place by 10am, with the Lions providing delicious bacon & sausage baps along with tea & coffee to them and the public alike until 1pm.
One of the main attractions, aside from the car boot sale, was Filbert Fox and his Leicester City roadshow, where everyone was invited to sign a giant football shirt.
Filbert Fox joins the Lions Catering team for a group hug
For more images from this event CLICK HERE
Rutland Lions Charter Lunch 26th June 2011: Over 80 Lions, family members and invited guests attended the 35th Annual Charter Lunch at Barnsdale Country Club on Sunday 26th June. Following a fine lunch Ex-Lion and past President Dick Maris entertained with a witty and slightly risque talk before being thanked for raising over £500 for the Lions by charging for attendance at his recent 80th birthday party. Local cricket & music broadcaster John Shaw followed Dick and gave an amusing talk about the planned ad libs of his fellow cricket broadcasters, as well as the benefits of supporting junior sports clubs through donation. John was presented with a magnificent carrot cake in memory of an earlier visit to Rutland Lions where such cake was sampled.
The official duty was carried out by outgoing President Brian Naylor. He confirmed that Rutland Lions had had a steady and very successful year, raising over £10,000 and donating over £7,000, mostly to local groups and individuals, as well as the Japanese Earthquake Appeal. As well as this the club had had a full social programme regularly enjoyed by club members. He then handed over his chain of office to incoming President, Nigel Campion.
Incoming President Nigel Campion
Presentation to Uppingham Town Cricket Club 19th April 2011: Over the last 20 years Uppingham Town Cricket Club have been running youth cricket teams. They now have eight teams starting with the Under-9s through to Under-17s comprising nearly 150 young members. This year Uppingham Town have moved to their beautiful new ground on the Leicester Road having rented pitches from Uppingham School for many years.Hearing that The Lions Club of Rutland were making donations to support youth sport in Rutland, Club Chairman Charlie Scott wrote and requested support for two new mobile cricket nets. The Lions were delighted to be able to help and donated £1000, over 50%, toward the cost of the nets.
Lions Club of Rutland President Brian Naylor presents a cheque for £1000 to Charles Richardson, Uppingham Town Cricket Club Junior Committee Chairman.
Click Here for a further image of this presentation
Easter Egg Appeal Update 3rd April 2011: Large chocolate Easter bunnies or equally large chocolate selection baskets are being delivered this week to the fourteen local pubs hosting this years Easter Egg Appeal. For further information about this appeal click the following link to the Club Projects page.
Mark Goode of The Old Plough, Braunston proudly displays the Easter Bunny he will raffle on behalf of the Lions.
Wheelchair Presentation, 13th March 2011: The Lions Club of Rutland have purchased two new wheelchairs for Nicola & Daniel Skinner of Oakham who both suffer from the rare degenerative disease Friedrich's Ataxia. The donation of £2000, one of the Lions largest for some time, provided new made-to-measure wheelchairs from Ortomotion of Corby costing £750 each, along with other aids to ease their home living. The wheelchairs were specifically designed to maximise Nicola & Daniel's comfort.
Nicola, 23, was diagnosed with the muscle & nerve wasting disease 10 years ago and Daniel, 21, two years later. Mum Liz explained that the condition is inherited via a defective gene, but usually affects only one child in a family. Liz, and father Nick, heard about Rutland Lions' donations toward deserving causes and wrote just after Christmas. Lion Nigel Campion helped them apply for the donation which was recommended by the Community Services Committee and the Directors before unanimous approval at February's business meeting. Nick said the family were all delighted the process had run so smoothly, and thanked the Lions for their generosity and the speed of their response.
Lions Derek Eyres and David Thompson join Liz & Nick Skinner along with Nicola & Daniel in their new wheelchairs.
The Internet & How It All Started: If you want to find out then visit the members section of our website and visit the "Club Newsletter" page.
Easter Egg Appeal: Read more about our first fundraising event of 2011 by clicking this link, Easter Egg Appeal
Press Report: To read our latest press report in the Rutland Times & Mercury click this link Where Lions Cash Goes
RATS Panto Evening: Lion Roy Ainger is pictured with Chris, one of 65 special guests from local support groups on the occasion of their meal & panto evening, Wednesday 19th January.
Take a look at the Photo Gallery to see a selection of our activities over the last six months.
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