Members of Swindon BATS celebrated World Sight Day in style with a lively tenpin bowling contest against members of Swindon Lions Club – and came out on top, winning six games to two.
While the Lions may have been out-bowled on this occasion, the spirit of the match was firmly about fun and community. Both sides enjoyed the evening so much that a re-match is already on the cards for the new year.
Swindon BATS – short for Blind and Partially Sighted Tenpin Bowling and Sports – was formed in 2006 and has grown into a registered charity supporting nearly 50 visually impaired members and volunteers. The club provides opportunities for people living with sight loss to take part in sport and social activities, improving wellbeing while tackling loneliness and isolation.
Swindon Lions, part of the international Lions Clubs network, bring together people of all ages and backgrounds to serve their local community. A key focus of the organisation is supporting those with sight loss and preventing avoidable blindness – making this friendly fixture particularly fitting for World Sight Day.
First initiated in 2000 by Lions Club International Foundation, World Sight Day is now marked annually on the second Thursday of October to highlight the importance of accessible, affordable and quality eye care for all. Swindon Lions first marked the day in 2001 with a memorable lunch – blindfolding the then Mayor of Swindon to give him an insight into life with sight loss.
This year, the spotlight once again fell on the importance of protecting vision and supporting those with impaired sight – with Swindon BATS and Swindon Lions showing how sport, friendship and teamwork can strike right at the heart of community spirit.
Swindon Lions: contact@swindonlions.org | 0345 833 5745
Swindon BATS: info@SwindonBats.org
