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Our work in the community
We aim to promote the health and wellbeing of the Reading community by helping individuals in times of need, improving the local environment, and supporting Reading based community groups and local charities. Every penny raised goes into our community projects. Our aim is to serve the people of Reading and make a difference.
We do this in many different ways by:
SAVING LIVES with our Prostate Cancer Awareness programme: With one man every hour dying from prostate cancer and 40,000 new cases diagnosed every year the Lions Club of Reading aims to provide an awareness event and free PSA blood test to as many men over 45 as possible who chose to take the test. More...
COLLECTING FOOD DONATIONS every week and deliver these to local food banks, for distribution. More...
Supporting and Inspiring Young People with our 'ROAR' Schools Programme
This year (2024) is the 9th year of Lions ROAR. This inspirational competition is run by the award-winning education company, 8billionideas, and Lions Clubs British Isles.
This unique Lions programme aims to inspire children and young people to think big and dream bigger about their ideas. Lions ROAR helps to improve children's confidence and levels of self-esteem.
Lions Clubs across the British Isles are supporting this initiative by providing funding and support for local primary schools in their local community. Reading Lions Club is currently sponsoring two schools in Reading and would love to do more.
Visit our ROAR website for more detail.
MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE scheme:
We are well known for our distribution of Message in a Bottle bottles. A simple scheme to assist people living alone or those that are vulnerable to keep vital medical information in a safe place. More...
HELPING INDIVIDUALS IN NEED: We answer calls for assistance from individuals and families in genuine need.
It could be something simple like needing a few food vouchers at a difficult time or involve complex needs such as specialist medical and support equipment, like the youngster below. Contact: communityservices@readinglions.org.uk if you need help.
OUR LIONS DEN COMMUNITY GRANT SCHEME: Supporting local small community groups with our 'Lions Den': Our aim is to reach out to small local Reading community groups and small local Reading charities and award grants for local community projects. More...
COLLECTING AND RECYCLING UNWANTED SPECTACLES:
Each year we collect and recycle thousands of unwanted spectacles.
Working with local Reading opticians. More...
CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT: We have adopted a green space to keep clean and tidy so that everyone can enjoy the area. More.
SANTA and his helpers bringing cheer to the streets of Reading. Santa brings seasonal cheer to thousands of local children and parents during the three weeks he visits the streets of Reading with Reading Lions Charity.
SUPPORTING OTHER GROUPS: We support other local charities and community events, such as collecting for the Royal British Legion for its Poppy Appeal, supporting the Marie Curie Daffodil appeal with collectors, and providing ongoing marshalling support for a local Covid Vaccination Centre in Tilehurst.
If you know of a local community service project that may need our help then please contact us, or email secretary@readinglions.org.uk We also answer calls for assistance from private local families / individuals
These are just some of the people and groups your donations have enabled us to help this year:
Helped prepare and serve Christmas lunch to Southcote pensioners.
Donated towards the cost of home adaptations for a local lady with MS.
Supported a local single Mum struggling with her own and her children's health issues, to with mental health to a series of gym / physio sessions.
Donated computer equipment for seven local deaf children, to help with schoolwork, via the Fleet Lions Club IT programme.
Arranged for the installation of a replacement cooker for a client of Reading Mencap.
Donated to the family of baby Robyn, suffering from a rare eye cancer. The donation assisted the family with travel costs to and from hospital appointments.
Funded the removal and relocation of a defibrillator, previously donated to a local church hall. It will now be located outside for use by the wider population.
Provided a bed and bedding for a local elderly couple having to adapt to changing and deteriorating health circumstances.
Donated annual Christmas food vouchers to local needy families.
Donated to the Tilehurst Fundraising for Ukraine group to help with crafting materials for their weekly workshops.
Volunteered as collectors for Marie Curie Daffodil Appeal and the Royal British Legion Poppy Day appeals.
Replaced flooring for a young single Mum recently re-housed.
We agreed to a donation for the Reading Family Aid 'Toys & Teens' Christmas appeal.
Our Food Bank Collections continued throughout 2022 / 23, collecting more than £140,000 worth of food since this began in 2020.
We supported further Covid vaccination Clinics with volunteer marshals.
We supported a local family with the purchase of bunk beds and white goods.
We continue to collect spectacles for recycling and to deliver 'message in a bottle' bottles.
We continued with sponsorship of two children in Rwanda through 'Gift of Hope' appeal.
Held our annual Prostate Cancer Awareness and PSA test event – testing 927 men.
Installed a cooker and washing machine for a young family in need.
Provided carpeting for a young family plus a food voucher and toys for the baby, at Christmas time.
We donated towards a wheelchair for elderly disabled person.
We provided white goods for a young family in need.
We donated £2,000 for food vouchers which were distributed to needy families at Christmas, via schools, a church group, and Reading Mencap.
We donated to Royal Berkshire Hospital radio for new broadcasting equipment.
Made a donation to a local Choir that assisted us with our Santa static event.
Made a donation to Reading YMCA to purchase 'moving-in' packs for young people.
Helped fund a specialist tricycle for a local young boy with cerebral palsy.
We paid for 20 people plus carers to attend the Lions District Family Day at Marwell Park.
Our International Efforts: Lions Clubs are also members of an international network of men and women who work together to answer the needs that challenge communities across the world.
Lions have been carrying out community service in a very wide range of areas since their formation in 1917. This community service is carried out mainly at local level but also at wider national and international levels. Visit 
for more detail.
