Lions have surprised Gold Coast local athletics star Huddy Glubb with a $5,000 donation at this year’s Lions National Convention held at The Star on the Gold Coast.

Huddy has achondroplasia, a genetic condition which impacts bone growth. Despite doctor’s early warnings that he probably wouldn’t be able to participate in sport, he has developed into an inspiring young athlete and recently qualified for the World Dwarf Games junior team competing this July in Germany.

Lions support Huddy Glubb as he takes aim at the World Dwarf Games in Germany.

Along with the donation from Lions Australia, Huddy’s local Oremeau Lions Club hosted a BBQ early on to help kickstart his fundraising to get him and his team to the games.

Huddy’s mother Kerry Glubb is incredibly proud of her son’s achievements so far, and of his determination that has motivated him to excel in the activities of track and field, basketball and soccer.

“When Huddy was born we were told that he probably wouldn’t be able to participate in sport. The day that he got his first gold medal, that was just — there were so many tears — it was such a special moment,” she said.

Kerry says they are so grateful for all the support received to date from the community.

“I’d like to thank everybody in the community for their support for Huddy so far, we’re already over halfway to reaching our fundraising goal!”

Huddy and his family joined Council Chair Steve Boyce and Lion Sari-Elle Kraemer on stage at the Lions Australia National Convention on the Gold Coast.

Huddy shared his heartwarming story with volunteers from right across the country at the Lions National Convention on the 29th of April, which you can watch here.

For more information on how you can support Huddy’s fundraising campaign to attend the World Dwarf Games, visit his GoFundMe page.

At their recent March dinner meeting, the Lions Club of West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook presented a Lions Nurses Scholarship for $1,500 to Nurse Anne Hoolahan on behalf of the NSW/ACT Lions Nurses Scholarship Foundation.

The grant will assist Anne’s attendance at the 2023 Psychogeriatic Association’s (IPA) international Congress being held in Lisbon. Portugal in June this year.

The mission of the NSW/ACT Lions Nurses Scholarship Foundation is to provide financial assistance for nurses to continue their professional development.

Clinical Nurse Consultant – Health & Wellbeing Specialist, Anne Hoolahan, being presented with her scholarship funds by NSF Director Graham Estreich and Lions Club of West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook Past President, Geoff Harrison.

Anne is a worthy recipient. She holds the position of Clinical Nurse Consultant – Health & Wellbeing Specialist working for Older Peoples Mental Health Services (OPMHS) team at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital. Her clinical role is to provide in-home health and wellbeing reviews and support the GP and Case Manager in facilitating client focused health management.

She has been involved in the NSW state-wide project aimed at improving the physical health for older mental health consumers and has submitted an abstract for consideration for presentation at the forthcoming Lisbon conference.

Anne spoke to Lions members about her nursing career and where she has specialised and took the time to thank the Lions Nurses Scholarship Foundation for supporting her Congress attendance and all that will be learnt through this upcoming opportunity.

The Lions Nurses Scholarship Foundation was represented on the evening by NSF Director, Graham Estreich.

Ten-year-old Nicholas Tadros suffered extensive injuries in the recent helicopter crash on the Gold Coast which tragically killed his mother Vanessa.

The heartbreaking story has captivated the nation and now there’s a way for people to make a difference.

In an update on the family’s tragic situation, Channel 9’s A Current Affair is joining forces with Australian Lions Foundation to launch an appeal to raise funds to help support Nicholas and his father Simon who now finds himself a single parent.

Donations to the Australian Lions Foundation Appeal can be made online and 100% of the funds raised will be used to support Nicholas and his father Simon during this difficult time.

Australian Lions Foundation Chairperson Tony Benbow OAM says:

“Nicholas broke almost every bone in his body in the mid-air helicopter crash in January. When we recently saw his father confirm to A Current Affair that Nicholas’ right leg needed to be amputated due to infection, we knew we needed to do something.”

“Nicholas’ father Simon can no longer work as a truck driver and won’t for the foreseeable future as he needs to be by his son’s side for the long road ahead. Nicholas will spend months in hospital and will likely need medical care for the rest of his life.”

“We know many people are looking for a way to support Nicholas and his father through this difficult time and we are pleased to facilitate this through an appeal.”

The Australian Lions Foundation has been providing grants for compassionate support and community initiatives since the 1980’s.  Every year the Foundation distributes more than $1 million for projects through local Lions Clubs.

“Nicholas and Simon are from Western Sydney and we will be working closely with their local Lions Club of Parramatta to manage the support,” says Tony Benbow.

Thank you for your donations. This appeal is now closed.