Joining forces with another club and combining initiatives is very successful and easy, as Lions Linda Cross and Barbara Dutton proved at Baggeridge Country Fayre.
Because sight and visual impairment and Diabetes are closely linked they were able to approach people explaining that they were promoting awareness of these two conditions. They gave them a food labelling guide and a free measuring tape together with the leaflet listing the symptoms & contributory factors of type 2 diabetes; both of these leaflets are produced by Diabetes UK and are free. Linda then introduced the sight and vision aspect and gave the Lions leaflet called Sight Tests. They said that they were Lions and that this was part of our service within the community raising the profile of heath issues. They also asked if they had heard of Lions and if they had not gave them a 'Making a Difference ' pamphlet.
Every one approached was receptive and appreciative and they had a few laughs.
They both highly recommend this exercise and it could be combined with any event without any extra work.
This is an opportunity to promote the name Lions and the more people recognise our name and what we do, the more people will want to join us. This could perhaps gain us a new member.
Lion Barbara added: “I hope that some of you were able to see 'Long Live Britain' which was on BBC1 on Monday evening. It was re scheduled from two weeks earlier when it was postponed because of the royal arrival. Diabetes was classed as one of the three most preventable 'secret killers' and can amongst other things lead to visual impairment and eventual blindness. Help Linda and me to spread the word that this can be prevented.”
Barbara Dutton Diabetes officer 105M
barbaramdutton@hotmail.co.uk