Newcastle Lion is awarded the Melvin Jones Award

The Melvin Jones Award which is named after the founder of Lions Club International Melvin Jones, was created in 1973, and is the highest form of honour and recognition made by Lions Club International. It recognises outstanding commitment to humanitarian work made by an individual and Melvin Jones Fellows receive a lapel pin and a personalised wall plaque. At their monthly meeting on Tuesday last Newcastle Lions president John McDonagh and Vice District Grosvenor Marian McGreevy presented the award to Dan O’Reilly. Over a number of years Dan has been involved in club projects such as looking after the ten defibrators in Newcastle, Maghera and Castlewellan, organising the collection of glasses which are sorted and sent to Lions Medico France where they are refurbished and graded before being dispatched to Africa, Asia and South America through the network of Lions Clubs as well as organising the Annual recycling day when donations of bicycles both rusty and good, as well as sewing machines, treadle or electrical and tools- broken or good are collected and after refurbishment are sent to Malawi, Tanzania and Madagascar. District Governor of Ireland Lions District 133 James O 'Loughlin stated he could not think of a more deserving Lion to receive the award and he reflected on Dan's quiet but effective work which is an inspiration to us all. He sent his warmest congratulations to Dan and his family on this superb achievement.  Dan's wife Eilish, sons Dominic and Daniel, daughters Jane and Aoife and Jane's 3 sons were all present for the occasion.

New Lion President John accept donation to club.

Barely one week since receiving his chain of office Newcastle Lions  President  John  McDonagh, was pleased to join with other members of the club, in taking delivery of numerous spectacles  from  Northern Ireland  Resource Network Centre manager  Helen  Tomb.

These spectacles will be despatched to Lions  Medico  France ,where they will  then be sent all over the world to help people in need. The  Newcastle Lions  Club have found NIRN a great organisation to work with as it has helped the club with their recycle ,reuse policy also it has sign posted the club to grants that are available and through networking with other NIRN members this has helped promote the work of Lions. 

Newcastle Lions are the only Lion members of  NIRN and are encouraging other  Lion  Clubs to join them. The vision of  NIRN is to promote sustainable reuse and repair,  NIRN is the representative body for reuse and repair organisations. Their aim is to promote sustainable reuse and repair as a practical and effective way of tackling Northern Ireland’s waste generation and develop opportunities in the Circular Economy. Other members include every council in  Northern  Ireland alongside Habitat for  Humanity, Friends of the Earth and Hope 365  Ethiopia. 

Newcastle Lions  members including new President  John McDonagh accept a donation of spectacles from  Helen  Tomb NIRN Centre  Manager (Helen at end holding box of glasses).

New Newcastle Lions President receives his chain of Office at Lions Picnic.

Newcastle Lions recently held their end of year picnic for members, family and friends in Castlewellan Park. Although the weather was inclement all enjoyed the delicious food and camaraderie. During the event outgoing President Liz Murphy passed over the presidential chain to incoming President John McDonagh. John has been a member of the local club for the past 12 years and is really looking forward to his term of oce and continuing the great work of past holders of the role. The lions also donned their new hats which should make an appearance at the Daisy Dander Charity event on Saturday 28th September 2024 which involves a short walk from the Cone of Light to the White Bridge to raise awareness of Childrens Cancer Month.

Details of this event later.

Retiring President Liz Murphy passes on the Chain of oce to new President John McDonagh

Group of Lions, family and friends enjoying the picnic