A recent WIN NEWS video shared details about an important Lions program — Australian Lions Children’s Mobility Foundation (ALCMF) — and the great work they do!
“Three-year-old Ethan was born with a rare brain disorder, leaving him unable to walk or talk. But a foundation – established by the Lions Club – is funding a set of wheels to get him moving, providing equal opportunity to children with disabilities.”
The video shows Ethan and other disabled kids participating in an exercise event hosted by Frame Running Wollongong, where they can run and scoot through a series of activities using customised assistance devices to help them move about more easily.
In the video, District Chair Steven Sherwood highlights the importance of these events, and spruiks the work of ALCMF in helping provide the specialised (and often expensive) devices that help disabled kids like Ethan.
Founded nearly 30 years ago, the ALCMF works closely with each child’s physiotherapist to determine what kind of walker will give them the best support while also enabling them to move around freely.
The benefit to the kids is immeasurable. According to Ethan’s mum, Natalie Zukowski, almost immediately after trying out his frame runner for the first time, Ethan was smiling and enjoying seeing the world from a different point of view.
At first, he wasn’t able to take many steps on his own, but is quickly learning how to use the frame runner to get around on his own after attending several of the Frame Running events.
The ALCMF’s mission is to provide “walking devices that get kids out of their wheelchairs and on to their feet, so they are able to walk, explore, play, work and socialise.”
ALCMF was founded shortly after the Whitfield family of Allambie in Sydney travelled to the UK to have their four-year-old son Luke fitted with a new type of walking assistance device designed by David Hart, called the Hart Walker.
Seeing the dramatic improvement in Luke’s health, they were inspired to bring this opportunity to more Australian children.
In 1996, the Spastic Centre of New South Wales was granted the Australian license by David Hart, and the Children’s Mobility Program was born.
They have since branched out to different types of walkers addressing a range of disabilities.
So far, they have given away over 2,000 walkers to children across the country, funded by the generous donations they receive from Lions of Australia and corporate sponsors.
Lions Lap the Map for Diabetes 7 Times for World Diabetes Day
/in HEALTH, NEWS, OUR STORIES /by JemmaLions across the country were on a mission to reduce the prevalence of diabetes and improve the quality of life for those diagnosed this World Diabetes Day.
Lions invited members of the public to join them in putting on their walking shoes with the aim to travel a combined distance that exceeded Australia’s circumference (25,760 km) by the 14th of November.
The Lions Club of Bungendore and Districts were joined by members of the RFS at their Lap the Map event. Image: Rob Lane
With that target being easily met early on by hard walking volunteers, Lions were quick to double their goal and lap the map twice.
By November 14, Lions had not only lapped the map twice, but reported a combined distance of more than 190,000 km – over 7 times the distance of Australia’s circumference!
V5 District Governor Lyn Perera with National Diabetes Coordinator Pat Mills. Image: Brian Perera
National Diabetes Coordinator Pat Mills says Diabetes is a key focus for Lions and they would do what they can to help reduce the impact of the disease in their communities.
“Diabetes is a serious health issue affecting so many across Australia,” says Pat.
The Lions Club of Dalby had a huge turn out for their Lap the Map event.
“Across Australia, 1.3 million people have been diagnosed with Diabetes and 283 people are diagnosed every day. The disease can lead to serious health issues affecting the heart and blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, nerves and teeth.”
“In most high-income countries, Diabetes is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower limb amputation. It’s expected to affect 629 million adults by 2045.”
Members of the Valentine Lions Club at their Lap the Map event.
“Our Lions Lap the Map family friendly walks and campaigns in the community encourage people to get outside and have a walk to promote healthy lifestyle and raise awareness of the Diabetes epidemic in Australia.”
Congratulations to Pat and all other Clubs and volunteers who took part in Lions Lap the Map for Diabetes this year – a superb result for 2023!
You can see all the photos from participating Clubs on Facebook here.
P.S. Did we mention how on point the Lions branding looked at your Lap the Map events this year?
Click here to shop apparel, signage and other PR materials from our online shop ready for your next event in the new year now!
Lions Bushfire Relief in Queensland
/in EMERGENCY RESPONSE, OUR STORIES /by JemmaThat was the case for Lions in Queensland, who jumped into action during the recent devastating bushfires in the Western Downs region.
Many local school children lost everything in the fires so Dalby President Julianne purchased backpacks, hats, water bottles, school pads, pencils, towels, socks and underwear and sent three large bags to the Tara Lioness Club Branch.
A young girl who lost her home in the fire was also given a Lions Bear and was ecstatic at receiving it.
Dalby President Julianne says she will continue to work with Tara Lions members to provide support where it is needed.
Tara Shire State College Principal, Lion Belinda Walker and club branch Secretary, Lion Judith Bridge with a few of the items they received for students.
As well as meals and school supplies, an Orange Sky van also arrived at the evacuation centre with washing machines and dryers for Dalby residents.
Dalby Lions Club has partnered with Orange Sky to provide washing and drying services free of charge for disadvantaged people at the Dalby Laundromat.
L to R: Lions Glenn Shipway, Lorraine Freeman and Brett Kruger (Lions Club of Dalby).
Furthermore, Lions in District Q4 are organising a much needed fundraiser for families who have been impacted by recent bushfires and drought in both the South Burnett and Western Downs regions.
The “Blackbutt Bands Together” fundraising event will take place at Hotel Radnor on Sunday the 3rd of December from 11.30am – 5pm for an afternoon of music and entertainment.
And the support doesn’t stop here. When the smoke clears, Lions will still be there doing whatever they can to help those in need and to support communities as they rebuild.
If you would like to help ensure Lions can continue doing their vital work, you can make a donation to our National Disaster Appeal via the Australian Lions Foundation here.
Lions Hay Run Helps Lift Spirits for Farmers
/in EMERGENCY RESPONSE, OUR STORIES /by Jemma15 farming families had a reason to smile thanks to a generous donation of hay organised by the Murgon Lions Club.
The South Burnett, as like many other regions, has faced its fair share of agricultural challenges over the years, with extended droughts taking a toll on local farming communities.
Lion Peter Coombes was approached by residents concerned about the well-being of some of their neighbours, and Lions in District 201Q4 stepped in right away to help.
Farmer Bree Knopke with her young son, Teddy.
The project, which cost over $20,000, came together over just a short few hours with the Murgon Lions arranging a B-double load of oaten hay from NSW, delivered by local business Gleich Contracting.
A drop-off point was then organised in the Mt McEuen area for the morning of the 25th of October.
Lions Q4 District Governor Jackie Scott with some of the farmers’ children … Henry, Teddy and Sidney.
The farmers and their families were invited to collect the much-needed bales of hay, as well as talk to Graham House representatives who had information about the various support available to them.
The South Burnett Suicide Prevention Working Group also provided bags of goodies.
Alan Eagleson, who was helping to load the hay into farmers’ vehicles, with John Campbell (Lions).
Thank you kindly to Torkit Business Solutions (Kingaroy) for producing the below video.
Coogee Lions Club President taking on the World’s Highest Marathon for Lions
/in OUR STORIES /by JemmaCoogee Lions Club President Sari-Elle Kraemer is taking on the World’s Highest Marathon for Lions.
Since joining Lions in 2019, Sari-Elle has become particularly passionate about advocating for the work of the Australian Lions Foundation.
She has taken that commitment to new heights by taking on the World’s Highest Marathon as a fundraiser for Lions.
Sari-Elle has set a goal – to not only climb 17,598 feet above sea level to Everest Base Camp but to then also attempt to run a full 42.2 kms crisscrossing the high Sherpa trails of Khumbu Valley contending with freezing temperatures, low oxygen, and mountainous terrain.
In the lead up to running the World’s Highest Marathon in May 2024, Sari-Elle is seeking to raise $120,000 for the Australian Lions Foundation’s Compassionate Fund which provides grants to Lions Clubs to help assist Persons or Families in necessitous circumstances.
This may be by the provision of medical aids, equipment or cash to provide relief from hardship.
Sari-Elle has commenced training and will be clocking up the kilometres in coming months to prepare for this audacious challenge. She is currently running 60-80 kms a week and is participating in a number of races and events where she is proudly promoting Lions.
She recently ran the Sydney Marathon, will aim to complete the Mount Kosciuszko 50 km Ultra Marathon on 7th December and is looking to enter some more events in coming months to prepare for the World’s Highest Marathon in May 2024.
She’s planning to do some weekend runs out of Sydney in coming months so keep an eye out – she may be running in a community near you!
You can follow Sari-Elle’s journey on Facebook here.
Good luck, Sari-Elle!
How Lions Clubs and members can help
Help her reach her goal and make a donation online here.
Donations can also be made by EFT to the Australian Lions Foundation, with “Sari-Elle Appeal” as the reference:
Bank: Westpac
BSB: 036-157
Account#: 535251
Account Name: ALF Compassionate Fund
Reference: Sari-Elle Appeal
Donations over $2 are tax deductible and every dollar counts.
Read more
School is in session – International Peace Poster Contest
/in NEWS, OUR STORIES, PEACE CONTEST /by JemmaSchool is in session and our Lions clubs are ready to host their local Peace Poster contest for 2023-24!
For over three decades, Lions clubs around the globe have been sponsoring this very special art contest in schools and youth groups.
The theme for the 2023-24 International Peace Poster Contest competition is “Dare to Dream,” asking young people from around the world to show how they’ll turn their dream of a peaceful world into reality.
Chloe Hua was a Merit Award Winner in the 2022-23 Lions International Peace Poster Competition.
Student Chloe Hua was named the V5 District and National winner in the 2022 final, and a Merit Award winner at the Lions International Judging event held in February 2023 in Chicago, USA.
Chloe’s work was an outstanding artistic portrayal of the theme ‘Lead with Compassion’ and her Peace Poster message was immediately clear:
“A world of peace is a world where regardless of age, gender, race or size, everyone is united as a whole, in a limitless world; lead by empathy, compassion and acceptance”.
Pictured L to R: Vermont SC Principal Tony Jacobs, South Vermont Lions Club President Syd Giller, LIPP Chair South Vermont LC Max White, LIPP Coordinator Katherine Parzis, and student Chloe Hua.
V5 District International Peace Poster Chair Katherine Parzis was honoured to attend Chloe’s school last month to present the International Peace Poster Award Certificate to her; and an International Peace Poster Appreciation Certificate to Principal Tony Jacobs.
Lion Katherine Parzis with International Peace Poster Merit Award Winner Chloe Hua and her mother.
“I congratulated Chloe with the National Multi District Peace Poster trophy engraved with her name, and I wished her very well with her studies and future endeavors with her proud mother at the Award presentation,” says Lion Katherine.
“I would not be able to continue the District Peace Poster Contest without the support of my Lions colleagues, and I look forward to this year’s Peace Poster Essay Youth program.”
For further information regarding Lions International Peace Poster Contest, click here.
To see all current Peace Poster Contest winners and their peace posters, click here.
Lions Chemo Caps for Cancer Patients
/in OUR STORIES /by JemmaAfter attending a National Lions Convention, Jenny Peacock was inspired by a heartwarming project that she thought would be perfect for her club to adopt.
Lion Jenny Peacock with the handmade chemo caps. Image Source: supplied.
Started by the Battunga Country Lions Club in South Australia and known as ‘Carolyn’s Chemo Caps’, the project involves making beanies for cancer patients undertaking chemotherapy and consequentially going through the hardships of hair loss.
Jenny along with the other members of the Boroondara-Gardiners Creek Lions Club agreed they too would support the project and began making plans to help bring some comfort to those going through their cancer treatment.
As none of their members were sewers, Lion Jenny connected with local volunteering group GOLD (Growing Old Living Dangerously) where she met Denise, who was looking to get involved with a volunteer group.
Denise was happy to make the caps, sewing them when she had spare time.
To date, Denise has made over 1500 caps which are packed and wrapped by Boroondara-Gardiners Creek Lions members and taken to Eastern Epworth Day Oncology unit at Box Hill for patients.
The fine fabric used for the caps act like a lightweight sock over the head to keep them warm. They are thin enough for wear at home but can also be worn under a turban.
The Club also make a winter version using polar fleece (these can be worn under a beanie too).
Jenny says she noticed a woman at the supermarket wearing one of their chemo caps and started up a conversation.
The woman noted that the cap was one of the best things she’d received during her cancer treatment and that it was fantastic to be able to choose out the fabric in a style she likes (free of charge).
The Club raises money for the fabric through their community fundraising projects including barbecues and Christmas tree sales.
Well done to the Boroondara-Gardiners Lions Club on an amazing project – where there’s a need, there is a Lion.
ALCMF Featured on WIN NEWS
/in OUR STORIES /by Karen PriceA recent WIN NEWS video shared details about an important Lions program — Australian Lions Children’s Mobility Foundation (ALCMF) — and the great work they do!
“Three-year-old Ethan was born with a rare brain disorder, leaving him unable to walk or talk. But a foundation – established by the Lions Club – is funding a set of wheels to get him moving, providing equal opportunity to children with disabilities.”
The video shows Ethan and other disabled kids participating in an exercise event hosted by Frame Running Wollongong, where they can run and scoot through a series of activities using customised assistance devices to help them move about more easily.
In the video, District Chair Steven Sherwood highlights the importance of these events, and spruiks the work of ALCMF in helping provide the specialised (and often expensive) devices that help disabled kids like Ethan.
Founded nearly 30 years ago, the ALCMF works closely with each child’s physiotherapist to determine what kind of walker will give them the best support while also enabling them to move around freely.
The benefit to the kids is immeasurable. According to Ethan’s mum, Natalie Zukowski, almost immediately after trying out his frame runner for the first time, Ethan was smiling and enjoying seeing the world from a different point of view.
At first, he wasn’t able to take many steps on his own, but is quickly learning how to use the frame runner to get around on his own after attending several of the Frame Running events.
The ALCMF’s mission is to provide “walking devices that get kids out of their wheelchairs and on to their feet, so they are able to walk, explore, play, work and socialise.”
ALCMF was founded shortly after the Whitfield family of Allambie in Sydney travelled to the UK to have their four-year-old son Luke fitted with a new type of walking assistance device designed by David Hart, called the Hart Walker.
Seeing the dramatic improvement in Luke’s health, they were inspired to bring this opportunity to more Australian children.
In 1996, the Spastic Centre of New South Wales was granted the Australian license by David Hart, and the Children’s Mobility Program was born.
They have since branched out to different types of walkers addressing a range of disabilities.
So far, they have given away over 2,000 walkers to children across the country, funded by the generous donations they receive from Lions of Australia and corporate sponsors.
Lions International Stamp Club
/in SPECIAL INTEREST CLUBS /by Rob OerlermansThe business of kindness on Free Trade Day
/in OUR STORIES /by JemmaPicture a world where families struggle without running water, lights, or a secure home.
Where an elderly couple’s kitchen sink blocked up three years ago and the hot water in their bathroom stopped working.
Image by Sue Graham for The Daily Telegraph. “Overwhelmed: Sandra Jackson breaks down in tears as teams of tradies start work on her Killarney Vale home”.
It’s heart-wrenching, but together we can make a difference.
This October, Lions volunteers are calling on compassionate tradespeople to give back to their communities for Free Trade Day – a day that will forever change lives for the better.
Free Trade Day is a Lions Club of Terrigal-Wamberal project connecting tradies who are willing to work for FREE for people doing it tough.
Tradies donate their time to repair damaged homes on Free Trade Day.
It’s an emotional day that highlights the Central Coast’s best tradies, helping their neighbours.
Free Trade Day founder and Lions member Ryan Wilson is now assembling a force of leading trades businesses, united by kindness, to dedicate a day to those in desperate need.
“Free Trade Day is a great opportunity for the trade community to come together and lend a helping hand to those who unfortunately cannot afford to have important repairs and maintenance done on their homes,” says Ryan.
A Lions volunteer chats with home-owner on Free Trade Day 2022.
“We have a website where tradies can register their services and people needing help can self register or be nominated by someone else.
We then connect tradies with people who need a helping hand.”
Registration is now open, click here to find out how you can get involved with Free Trade Day on the 20th of October 2023.
Lions to climb Mt. Kenya for kids in Tanzania
/in OUR STORIES /by JemmaOn August 28th, an amazing group of women will begin their 5 day climb on Mt. Kenya.
The 16 Lions members who are all from different countries, will be making their way along the Chogoria route to the peak, a difficult challenge that’s worth every minute.
They are raising $100,000 for the ‘Kili for Kids’ Project, which will provide the funds for much needed renovations of the Mwereni School for the Visually Impaired in Tanzania.
The school is also a safe haven for children with Albinism, who have sadly come under attack by people believing their bones hold magic powers.
Among this team of amazing women is Australian Sheryl Keppler, President of the Australian Online and Travellers Lions Club.
Sheryl says she agreed to join the expedition at the 2023 National Convention on the Gold Coast after Past International President Barry Palmer asked an Australian Lion to sign up.
Aussie Lion, Sheryl Keppler is ready for Mt. Kenya (Image from Facebook).
“I saw no reason not to take up the challenge, so I took him up on the offer and joined the Kili for Kids Team,” she says.
“We are 16 female Lions from 16 different countries, that will join together and climb Mt. Kenya.”
The Kili for Kids project was inspired by the first female Lions President Gudrun Yngvadottir, with the first international team of female Lions climbing Kilimanjaro to raise money and build a school for children in Kenya.
Through the Kili for Kids program, Lions directly help provide education and feeding programs to orphans and needy children.
We wish the 16 Lions all the best of luck on their climb!