Sad end for Eastbourne Lions after raising more than £1 million

December 31 this year marks the end of the Lions Club – which first formed in 1967 and has raised more than £1 million.

Covid has caused issues around fundraising for many charities this year and this teamed with the lack of new recruits has meant that the group has made the difficult decision to end.

Lions Clubs International has more than 1.45 million volunteers across 210 countries - making it the largest humanitarian service organisation in the world.

The work from the Eastbourne branch of the club includes the carnival week through the 70s to the 90s and the Heart Beat Campaign, supplying and maintaining more than 50 public access defibrillators around the town.

Councillor Alan Shuttleworth said, “It is really important to celebrate the achievements of Eastbourne Lions Club.

“Over the past 53 years the Lions Club volunteers have been at the heart of the community helping so many people and supporting so many good causes.

“My first involvement with the Lions Club was in the 1980s when they were responsible for running carnival week which involved organising a parade as well as other activities throughout the week.

“The Lions Club have been at the centre of so much fundraising for many good causes over many years.

“More recently the club has been at the heart of the local Defibrillator Partnership and I have seen at first hand the enormous work that Alec Stephens and his team have put into the Eastbourne Heartbeat Campaign which has established many public access defibrillators across our town.

“All Lions Club members should be proud of their achievements for our town.”

Group member Cyril Peskett said, “I have been a Lion in the club since 1998. I have enjoyed every minute.

“One memorable occasion was organising the Dragon Boat Race at the North Harbour. Various teams took part and what really stood out was the mayor at the time Ms Olive Woodall sitting at the front of one of the boats banging the drum, keeping time for the rowers.”

Club secretary Alec Stephens, who worked out the charity has raised more than £1 million over the years, said, “The event I will miss most is the Peace Poster Competition involving children in three junior schools around Eastbourne.

“Last year St Thomas a Becket Catholic Junior School supplied 225 posters to judge which was quite a task.

“I am sure many charities will miss our annual Swim-a-thon which has been held for more than 22 years raising approximately £8,000 each year for their organisations.”

Lions member Bob Wickham said, “I joined club in 1988, 32 years ago. My main memories surround the carnival, Swim-a-thon and the motor cycle event.

“These exciting events allowed our club to help many individuals and organisations, particularly over the earlier years of my membership. The social benefits of membership of this fantastic organisation have allowed me and my wife to make many friends.”

Jackie Stevens, another member, said, “Years ago we ran Eastbourne Carnival - I remember we had great fun. The Heartbeat Campaign is an amazing legacy for the club to give the town too.”

Despite the many years of success for the group, Mr Stephens said ‘there is no way back’ for the Eastbourne club.

If anyone wants to get in touch with Mr Stephens about the club, call 01323 511247.