Peace Poster Competition

Newcastle Lions Club members prepare prizes and certificates for the annual

Peace Poster Competition

In preparation for their annual convention last year, the Lions in Ireland commissioned a survey asking 1029 people, Are you aware of who the Lions are? The results saw 54% of respondents saying they were aware but compared to groups such as the the St Vincent De Paul who scored 96%, the Lions have work to do to make themselves known. When the survey reviewed the question with different age groups , younger people only scored 11% but those over 65 scored 89%.

In trying to make young people aware of the work of the Lions and increase that percentage of awareness of the Lions, over the years Newcastle Lions Club have had a great relationship with local schools and inspite of the difficulties caused by Covid, this year has been no different. In the past numerous primary and post primary schools took part in competitions Newcastle Lions had organised , such as asking schools to produce art work for a Harry Ferguson Centenary event and for calendar on the Theme Don't talk to a stranger. For the Lions this has been helpful in encouraging young people to learn more about the work of lions whether that work is world wide, of lions helping to finance clean water projects or small projects in our town.

This year seven local post primary schools, Kilkeel High School, St Louis Grammar, St. Malachy's High School ,Shimna College, Assumption Grammar, St Colman's School and Sixth Form College Ballynahinch and the High School Ballynahinch are all taking part in a Lions International event, for the Lions Peace Poster, on the theme "We are All Connected". The closing date for entries from the schools is Friday 22nd October at 4.00 pm . the art work will then be judged by two independent professional artists and the winners announced. The Lions International Peace Poster event has been running for more than thirty years. During that time over four million young people from 100 countries worldwide have taken part. The whole idea of creating the peace poster is to give children everywhere the chance to express their vision of peace and inspire the world through art.

Lions commission 10th GCDA defibrillator at Castlewellan.

On Saturday last the possible cardiac arrest of the Danish footballer Christian Eriksen was watched by millions on live television. The incident occurred while he was playing for his country against Finland in the Euros 2020 and has brought home to many that the instant accessibility of a portable defibrillator can help save a life.

This week following the renovations at the Castlewellan Community Centre, Newcastle Lions arranged to relocate the 10th Geoff Cartwright /Newcastle Lions Club defibrillator. and then registering it with the Circuit/British Heart Foundation .This then enabled President elect Liz Murphy to confirm that the Castlewellan defibrillator was now emergency ready. Newcastle Lion guardians will now monitor the 10th defibrillator and the nine other defibrillators located in Newcastle and Maghera.

The defibrillators in Newcastle have been using numerous times and recharged to ensure their continued availability. The most recent incident occurred on Wednesday 16th June and the same defibrillator was also used the week previous for another emergency incident.

Finally President Elect Liz Murphy would also like to thank everyone who supported the club's street collection which raised £406.00 . Like all donations to the Lions, 100% will be going to worthy charities.

Photograph: Newcastle Lion President Elect Liz Murphy installs the 10th GCDA defibrillator at Castlewellan Community Centre.

Lions thankful for donation

A story that featured in last week's Mourne Observer had a double happy happy ending. As part of the monthly monitoring of defibrillators, Newcastle Lions identified that the Maghera Inn defibrillator needed repaired. On Monday, Newcastle Lions Club were pleased to install a new replacement defibrillator at the Maghera Inn. This has now been registered as available for emergency use. Prior to installing the replacement, Newcastle Lion Dan O'Reilly while collecting the temporary device was pleased to receive a donation of £100.00 from Matthew McKenna, Managing director of the Maghera Inn for the Lions defibrillator maintenance fund. This will be added to donations received on the 12th of June when the Newcastle Lions club have their street collection. If you are unable to donate on the day you can also donate by visiting the lions web site at lionsnewcastlecodown.org and clicking on the donate indicator

In other news, in spite of difficulties in raising funds, Lions throughout Ireland have now donated an incredible $50,000 to The District 133 India Appeal . Both euro and sterling donations from Lion clubs have now been exchanged for dollars and this has been forwarded to Lions Clubs International Fund. to support the supply of oxygen and medical supplies to the rural areas of India. This fund will increase significantly when donations from other Lion Clubs throughout the world is then added to The support of Lions Clubs in Ireland and all over the world, through the Lions Foundation will help to address the challenges in rural India during the Pandemic."

Photograph caption: Newcastle Lions Dan O'Reilly receives a donation of £100.00 from Matthew McKenna, Managing director of the Maghera Inn for the Lions defibrillator maintenance fund.