Mayor of Fingal praises the work of local Lions Clubs

MAYOR of Fingal Cllr Mary McCamley paid tribute to the work being done by Fingal’s six Lions Clubs at a civic reception in County Hall, Swords. 

They are part of a worldwide organisation that was founded 100 years ago in America and the mayor used the occasion of the centenary to honour the clubs located in Balbriggan, Castleknock, Howth/Sutton, Portmarnock, Malahide and Swords.

Mayor McCamley commended the members for their volunteerism. 

“Some of the work done by the Lions Club, like the Christmas food appeal, is high profile, but a lot of what you do in serving the communities you live and work in is low key,” she told them.

“I know that all of your members are volunteers in the true sense of the word. You do not seek or desire rewards for what you do.” 

President of the Swords District Lions Club, Seán Quigley, who spoke on behalf of the six Fingal clubs, described the varying volunteer projects that the Lions Club undertakes annually. 

These include the Christmas Food Appeal which benefitted 70,000 people in Ireland in 2016, suicide awareness and prevention programmes as well as fundraising for senior citizens’ holidays and International Humanitarian Aid.

Mr Quigley also used the opportunity to highlight the need for volunteer groups in Ireland. 

“In this age of modernity and prosperity it is sad to see that there are still the ‘have nots’ in our society,” he said.

“Whilst there is a welfare system in place, too often it is not sufficient and that is why we have charities appealing to the better nature of people.

“We believe the world gets better and problems get smaller when people unite to serve their local and global community.”

District Governor Teresa Dineen, who heads up the Lions Club organisation in Ireland, said she was delighted to attend the event and show her support for the clubs in Fingal. 

“I am very pleased to see the outstanding work that is being done by the clubs in Fingal being recognised by the council,” said Ms Dineen.

“I would like to congratulate the mayor on her decision to dedicate her year in office to the volunteer.”

Fingal County Council chief executive Paul Reid said: “Myself and the staff within the council are pleased to work with the Lions Clubs on a number of events. They are great role models within the county and it is extremely important for us, in building communities, to have role models like them as we are both serving the public.”