The truly international strength of Lions means that we have ready access to peoples in so many areas of the world, enabling our assistance to the needy to be so much more meaningful.

Particularly important is the fact that we can make every penny raised count and our link up with overseas Lions Clubs, particularly in the Third World, enables us to have direct access and feed back once a project is ongoing or complete.

Some examples of the projects Clubs, individually or collectively have supported in recent years:

Waterwells - 50p enables a person to have clear water for life.

Secondary Education - a child can be sponsored (fed, boarded and educated) for the cost of a pint of beer a week.

Eye Camps - many thousands of peoples' eyesight has been restored or saved at Eye Camps sponsored and manned by Lions, particularly in the Indian subcontinent. Just a few pounds gives someone the gift of sight.

Leprosy eradication - Lions are tackling the problem of early recognition of leprosy in both Africa & India alongside LEPRA.

School Building - Lions have projects in the black townships of South Africa and in Kenya to build schools for their children.

Sight First Programme - Lions Clubs International intend to spend almost £60m over the next six years to combat blindness in third world countries.

Lions Clubs International Foundation - Lions Clubs also give voluntarily to an international fund which provides appropriate help in an emergency such as earthquake or flooding.

Special projects, beyond the reach of any single Lions Club, are also considered for funding through this channel.