The English Federation of Disability Sports (EFDS), Midlands Regional Athletics Finals Part 1 < | Part 2 >

In May 2009, I was fortunate to be asked by fellow Lion Alex Patterson from my Lion’s Club Birmingham Sheldon could I approach the Lion’s from within our Zone C to ask if they could volunteer to assist with the running of the of The English Federation of Disability Sports (EFDS), Midlands Regional Athletics Finals to serve as volunteers at the at Alexandra Stadium, Perry Barr, Birmingham. My duties for the day were to present the bronze, silver and gold medals with others to the respective participating Athletes throughout the day.

This was truly an amazing and humbling experience for me and it was so rewarding, win or lose, the competitors never lost their smiles even when they were runners up, on the contrary, they congratulated those who were fortunate to gain a medal, it is a most fantastic experience that I shall never forget.

At the end of that day, Dennis Hodgkins, Regional Development Manager asked me “what was the likelihood of The International Association of Lions Clubs in the Midland Area supporting this event in future years providing up to 80 volunteers and an invaluable service, and in addition, to assist with providing volunteers for 4/5 smaller events with 20/30 volunteers on a regular basis as they always seemed to struggle for regular, consistent, quality and supportive volunteer staff to man these wonderful events”. I explained, “I would have to observe Lion’s protocol and go through the correct channels and procedure and approach our District Cabinet”. Newly appointed District Governor Lion Femi at that time asked me to organise an exploratory meeting with a few Cabinet Officers, namely Lions Eric Hughes, Paul Murphy and Trevor Jones, Harry Fry myself and with Dennis in the chair, this I did and the meeting went ahead,

At the end of the exploratory meeting those Cabinet Chairmen were all of the same opinion as I was, that their were huge benefits to be gained by both Associations some are listed below: -

• Some of the winners from the Midlands Region who achieve the required National Standards will go on to represent the Midland Region and our Country at the Para Olympic Games Nationally and Internationally.
• bSome of the winners from the Midlands Region who achieve the required National Standards will go on to represent the Midland Region and our Country at the Para Olympic Games Nationally and Internationally.
• The athletes all aged between six and eighteen will reward you ten fold with their unstoppable smiles, their continued thanks and their numerous funny stories.
• The games could not go ahead without such invaluable volunteer support.
• It gets Lions away from the usual fund raising exercise and back to what we all do best, giving service because (WE SERVE).
• It gets Lions away from the usual fund raising exercise and back to what we all do best, giving service because (WE SERVE).
• T-shirts are provided free to all volunteers with the main sponsor on the front of the shirt and in addition our own Lions logo would be printed next to the EFDS logo also on the front.
• Luncheon will be provided (sandwich, fruit, crisps and drinks throughout the day).
• Huge Lions PR material can be displayed around the Stadium to capitalise on the publicity.
• Other Lion’s regalia to be displayed around the Stadium.
• Lions to man the VIP Suite to meet and greet the civic Dignitaries, the main sponsors CEOs, MDs and Corporate Directors and Executives and in addition there will be previous and current Olympians along with members of the various media/press.
• It would potentially be a huge Lions PR Exercise (local, national and sometimes international media interest).
• Opportunity to Marshal other National and International events.
• Dennis has offered training prior to each of the events to ensure all volunteers will feel comfortable and confident of what volunteers duties and tasks will be on the event days.
• There is a wide variety of tasks/roles/duties to be performed, there is something for everyone.
• At the end of the day you will have done a hard days work, but the feel-good-factor will last for weeks/months afterwards, in fact it never goes away.

At the November 2009 Cabinet meeting it received overwhelming support in principle, and that I should now write to the Lions within 105M to gauge support and numbers from interested Lions.