Lions let loose at the New Forest & Hampshire County Show
Ringwood & Fordingbridge Lions Club joined forces with 15 other Lion Clubs from across the South Coast of England to pool their time, talents and resources to exhibit the important work of Lions Clubs International at this year's New Forest & Hampshire County Show in Brockenhurst on 28th, 29th and 30th July 2014. Whilst Roary the Lion entertained the children in soaring Jungle temperatures, 24 local club volunteers put on a display about what Lions were doing locally, nationally and internationally for their respective communities making a real impression upon the estimated 95,000 visitors to the show over the 3 days.
Lion President Geoff Kay was quick to congratulate all those involved with the project for their enthusiasm to promote the work of Lions in our area and encourage people to find out more about what their local club is doing. He commented that "it was a pleasure and a privilege to be involved with so many lions from so many different clubs to come together to explain to thousands of show visitors about what men and women volunteers of all ages do through Lions Clubs International. We all had so much fun at the show".
On display was a working model of a portable dentist chair and the utensils being used by Dentaid in their projects overseas improving the oral health of people in developing nations. Lions have actively supported Dentaid in their projects since 2001 by encouraging local dentists to donate dental equipment for refurbishment and recycling for use abroad. Whilst not many show visitors took our invitation to have a quick dental check-up seriously, they were certainly able to see the Lions Water Filtration Unit in action. Glass containers filled with dirty water were turned into crystal clear drinking water in a matter of seconds. The concept is very simple and of vital importance to areas of the world in desperate need of a quick and clean supply of water.Many such units were dispatched to the Philippines in 2013 when disaster struck in the form of Typhoon Haiyan, alongside in excess of $2 million US Dollars in grant aid from the Lions Clubs International Foundation.
The Lions stand also exhibited details of Message in a Bottle, the Lions Eye Healthcare Programme, and a wide range of projects being undertaken locally with schools in and around the New Forest, the close working partnerships struck with foodbanks and organizations that support the elderly and vulnerable in our society.
