Black Mountains Lions

 I hadn't really taken much notice of the local Lions Club before, but it seems I've been missing out on a group that does good work for the local community.

After a chat with their new President, Chrissy, I found a booklet in the Launderette that gives a lot of information about them.  For instance, I'd always thought they were a British thing, but the first Lions Club was actually set up in Chicago in 1917, and spread to the UK after the Second World War.  There are Lions Clubs in 200 countries worldwide, and the set up is very flexible, so they can do more or less whatever they choose to do to help their local community.  They can also work together with other Lions Clubs to help internationally.  

Here in Hay, they have sponsored a guide dog, planted trees at the Doctors' Surgery, have helped with the provision of defibrillators, and they're responsible for collecting old spectacles from drop off points like the Opticians in Backfold to send out to Medico France and Unite For Sight, to be re-used around the world.

They've also got a new initiative in association with Brecon Food Bank.  They have funding to provide £10 vouchers for people who need to use the food bank, which can be spent at a variety of local shops.  The vouchers can be used for general groceries, meat, veg, and pet food, and also go towards things like heating fuel, shoes and socks, and children's clothes - and it's benefitting local businesses, rather than big supermarkets.  The Brecon Food Bank already offer £10 vouchers for Spar to people who need to use their services.

There's a lot of hidden poverty in this area - visitors get the impression that Hay is a prosperous town, and it is, but there are also a lot of low-paid jobs, and it can be very difficult for families on benefits (which includes families with adults who have jobs).  The British Legion also started collecting food to help those locally who are in need when the lockdowns started.

Their website is at Black Mountains Lions Club - Lions e-Clubhouse