2002/03

Howth-Sutton Lions Club

Lion Year 2002/03

The year has got off to a dream start:

The Golf Classic, held in Donabate during August, was well supported again this year resulting in €3,500 for Lions charities. Well done once again Paddy O'Donnell and all his supporters.
The Walk around the Howth Peninsula on Sunday September 1st, organised by Michael Moroney, was particularly enjoyable and a pleasant function followed in the Marine hotel. Some €6,000 was pledged for charity.
Once again the 'Taste of Howth' function was a great success. Grateful thanks are due to the restaurants of Howth, Guinness/Heineken drinks and of course to Michael Fitzpatrick who once again provided a unique Howth evening for 300 guests, netting some €25,000 for Lions charities including Howth Lifeboat(RNLI).
A great night was had by all at this year's Table Quiz on November 21st (run by Tom Keane and his team). 30 Tables of six attended. While the questions were testing, this in no way prevented it being a fun night. Up to €4,000 was collected for charity. Grateful thanks to all the patrons and sponsors.

News Headlines for 2001/2002

Eye Glasses Collection

During November/December,2001 an eye glasses collection was made at the local supermarket, Superquinn for people in developing countries with poor eye health care programmes. A similar collection was made at Nolan's Supermarket during February and March 2002. A total of over 1,000 spectacles were donated and forwarded to Vision Aid Overseas.
The collection bin overflowing with spectacles is seen in the accompanying photo. Standing in for the photo (with several pairs of eye glasses in hand and pocket) are Lion President Eamonn McEvoy, Superquinn manager, Ronnie O'Neill and Howth/Sutton Sight First Officer Tom Keane.

Some of the spectacles collected at Superquinn laid out on display - over 600 spectacles collected by December 23rd, 2001.

Helping the world to see

12 The Bell Centre,

Newton Road Manor Royal,
Crawley West Sussex RHIO 9FZ
Tel: 01293 535016 Fax: 01293 535026
Email: info@vao.org.uk

29 April 2002

Mr Tom Keane
Howth/Sutton Lions Club
c/o Marine Hotel Sutton
DUBLIN 13 IRELAND

Dear Tom
Thank you for your letter of 21 April which arrived this morning containing a magnificent cheque for €1OO0, this being a contribution to our funds from the Howth/Sutton Lions Club. In view of the state of our finances at the moment, your gift is as welcome as it is unexpected and, an behalf of everyone in the charity, I would like to say how grateful we are. Your contribution will make a real difference to our work with some of the poorest people in the world. Please pass on our thanks to all your fellow Lions and tell them their generosity has been noticed and is greatly appreciated.

You will be interested to know that on 18 May, VAC's 100th project deports for Ghana. It will be going to an area about 2 hours' drive from Accra where the team will operate a series of clinics in the surrounding villages. All being well, about 2,000 people will be screened and about 1,500 pairs of spectacles dispensed. We con be quite certain that many of these spectacles will have the effect of changing lives. For example, they will allow people to go back to work, or allow schoolchildren to take advantage of their schooling, or allow mothers to see their children properly for the first time. The provision of spectacles is a remedy which is quick, simple and cheap - but so effective!

Finally, end on a personal note, 1 would like to say how particularly moving it is to receive such generous support from our many friends in Ireland. Long may it continue!

Yours sincerely and best wishes

Tym Marsh
Director

Ed: Grateful thanks to Superquinn Sutton and to Nolan's Clontarf for affording Howth/Sutton Lions for the space and opportunity for a successful collection. A grant was also made to help defray expenses associated with the grading and distribution of the spectacles. The following letter of appreciation was received from Vision Aid Overseas

Final version September 16, 2003

Lion Year 2002/03

The year has got off to a dream start:

The Golf Classic, held in Donabate during August, was well supported again this year resulting in €3,500 for Lions charities. Well done once again Paddy O'Donnell and all his supporters.

The Walk around the Howth Peninsula on Sunday September 1st, organised by Michael Moroney, was particularly enjoyable and a pleasant function followed in the Marine hotel. Some €6,000 was pledged for charity.