The Stamford and District Lions are a local group of volunteers on the lookout for new members this spring. 

Stamford and District Lions is part of an international organisation which assists in disasters all over the globe, as well as supporting local groups, individuals and other charities.

Lions Clubs International (LCI) is an international, non-political service organisation established in October 1917 in Chicago. 

LCI was founded by Melvin Jones, whose guiding principle was, "You won't get very far in this world until you start doing something for somebody else". 

Now the largest humanitarian service organisation in the world, Lions Clubs International have clubs around the globe, with over 1.4 million members at over 46,000 clubs. 

One of those clubs can be found in the market town of Stamford. 

Stamford town centre sign. Image credit: Nub News.

Stamford and District Lions Club is a modest affair, with only 5 members currently. However, these 5 hard working individuals manage to achieve a great deal, with the support of the local community. 

Headed up by their President of nearly 8 years, Gill Clarke, the group host four major events each calendar year, with other pop up stalls, raffles and endeavours thrown in for good measure. 

These events include their charity Christmas Tree Festival held at St John's Church, in which local businesses, individuals, groups, schools and charities can purchase a tree to decorate with the aim of attracting visitors to the historic building, buying charity Christmas cards, and donating to the cause. 

Their Christmas trees on display at St John's Church in 2022. Image credit: Stamford and District Lions.

Gill Clarke, club President, said: "We run along side Cards for Good Causes who raise money through the purchase of cards for many charities.  We bounce off each other very well with people coming in for cards and seeing the trees and vice versa which means we both benefit from the public's generosity."

The group source the trees from local farms, donate one tree to their chosen charity, and run the initiative themselves, with help from Cards for Good Causes volunteers and friends of Lions. Any trees left behind by the exhibitors are left outside for the public to take away in exchange for a small donation. 

Gill added: "All donations are given to our chosen charity for that year. All old trees are donated to local households, and funds raised given to a chosen charity."

In 2022, the team made and donated an impressive £600 for Sue Ryder. They have previously given to Second Helpings, Hearing Dogs for the Deaf, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Three Counties Dog Rescue and other local and national causes. 

They also host Santa's Grotto each Christmas as part of the Town Council's Christmas market.  We spend the day in our specially made Grotto in Broad Street outside Browne's Hospital where Santa sees many local children at a reasonable price and they receive an age appropriate gift (usually a reading book to encourage youngsters to read).  They usually come out with a great big smile on their face.  They can also have their picture taken with Santa if someone with them has a camera or phone. 

The Stamford and Distrcit Lions Santa's Grotto 2022. Image credit: Stamford and District Lions.

Prior to this, Stamford and District Lions work with SHEAC and Diabetes UK to host a diabetes event in November, aligning with Diabetes Awareness Week, as close to the National Diabetes Day as possible.  

Gill explained: "We have a lot of input from University of Lincoln, Diabetes UK and other bodies who give us lots of information about Diabetes and how to manage it."

Finally, they host an annual music event each July at Stamford Recreation Ground, Rock on the Rec.which is more of a community event than a fund raising event.  It is a free event with great music and entertainment for the whole family. In previous years the event has hosted some popular local bands, including Ben HurlJam Room, Amber Squad, Tin Pigeons and Los Cojones plus others.

One of the many acts performing in 2022. Image credit: Stamford and District Lions.

The group are currently gearing up for this much-loved local event and welcome new Lions members, or Friends of Lions volunteers, to help arrange, marshal and perfect the day-festival.  

Rock and on the Rec will take place on Sunday 2 July from 12pm – 7pm at Stamford Recreation Grounds.

Gill said: "We hope to have some of the bands back again this year along with some new ones.  There will be plenty of stalls to look round and fantastic items to purchase, tombolas to have a go on and food and drink available.  There will be a fun fair for the children and we hope of have free pony rides with Clip Clop Ponies."

If music festivals are your thing, a host of local bands will also be playing at Extonbury, set to take place just over the border into Rutland on 1 July from 11:30am until late.

Rock on the Rec 2022. Image credit: Stamford and District Lions.

On top of these other events, groups and initiatives, Stamford and District Lions also produce a weekly Talking Newspaper and distribute it to those with visual impairments as well as some who have difficulty reading the paper for whatever reason across the community. 

Gill explained: "We produce the Talking Newspaper 52 weeks a year, and even if we only had one user, would continue to do so. You can sign up for a copy to be delivered to you on a memory stick, and we include snippets from Mercury Memories, local features, good news and more." Just contact us and we can pop you on our mailing list all we need is a name and address and contact number.

She added: "I originally started doing the talking newspaper and I decided, in 2002, that I had time on my hands and thought I know, I can give something back to the community, so I joined the Stamford and DistrictLions officially. I had known quite a few Lions, and knew that all of the money raised would go straight back into the charity. I have now been a Lion for 20 years."

This isn't Gill's only foray into the world of charity work though as, in 2021, she shaved her hair in support of a relative overseas who was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma. 

She was joined by 4 other family members who all braved the buzz cut for Kevin, her nephew in America. 

Gill embracing her new do! Image credit: Stamford and District Lions.

She said: "Kevin watched it live over Teams, and I saw his face and thought: Yes this is why I am doing this. We raised over £8,000 between us. We had a dinner and raffle too. There were loads of people involved. Even my mum, who is 79 this year." 

Stamford and District Lions are currently looking for new members, who will pay a monthly fee need to pay an annual subscription to support the club and be at the heart of the team. They are also welcoming Friends of Lions, who are welcome and would be expected to volunteer with the events run by the club, from their upcoming July festival to raffles and stalls at occasional events throughout the year. 

One of these events could be Stamford Town Council's celebration of the King's Coronation, in which the Stamford and District Lions will be hosting a stall and raising money for a local charity.

To join in, get in touch with the team via their website or email [email protected].

They meet on the first Wednesday of every month, currently via Zoom. 

You can find out more on their Facebook and Instagram pages.