In the hustle and bustle of work and family life, finding time for additional commitments may seem challenging. However, if you’re seeking a meaningful way to spend a few hours each week contributing to Swindon and our local community, the Swindon Lions Club beckons.
Affiliated with Lions Club International, the world’s largest service organisation boasting 1.4 million members across 200 countries, the Swindon Lions Club is at the forefront of community service. The core ethos revolves around the concept of giving time and energy to benefit others—a truly rewarding avenue to support the community.
Lions, hailing from diverse backgrounds, engage in extraordinary acts to aid others. Joining a team that actively takes steps to enhance the local community creates an incredible sense of fulfillment for everyone involved.
Peter Kennewell, currently the Vice President and a dedicated Lion for nearly four decades, shares his journey: “In the early 1980s, amidst a bustling career, my first encounter with the Lions was during a fireworks display attended by my daughter and her new friend. This friend happened to be the adopted daughter of a neighbour, Ken, who soon became a close friend. Invited to a Lions meeting, I’ve been a Lion ever since. The landscape has evolved since the ’80s, but the Lions’ unwavering commitment to assisting the disadvantaged and addressing global calamities remains unchanged.”
While many may recognise the club through its renowned Polo Ground firework displays and Christmas collections, the Swindon Lions Club extends its impact far beyond. From providing essential items to families in need to supporting the disabled with necessary equipment, the club has also made significant donations to local charities like Prospect and Julia’s House hospices, as well as local food banks. Furthermore, international contributions have been made to Lions clubs in regions affected by natural disasters. In almost 60 years, the Swindon Lions Club has raised over £350,000.
Former Lions President Helen Marson reflects on her experience: “When I moved to Swindon, I sought a way to connect with like-minded individuals. Swindon Lions, with its charitable ethos and monthly social events, mirrored my previous club in London. Joining the club almost 30 years ago, I still find being a Lion incredibly rewarding.”
If you’re curious about the Swindon Lions Club, you are invited to attend one of the meetings on the first and third Mondays of each month (excluding bank holiday weeks) at 8:00 pm at The Village Hotel, Shaw Ridge, West Swindon. Alternatively, for an informal chat about life as a Lion, email contact@swindonlions.org with your telephone number, and someone will be in touch.
Make a difference—become a Swindon Lion.
