Lions Show the Way
Thursday 8th October saw the Lions Club of
Billericay promoting their World Wide SightFirst Campaign, when Town
Councillors, Church leaders and a School Headmistress joined other members of
the Public, to be led through Billericay High Street, to promote Aid for the
Blind. The route from Somerfields to the War Memorial though short, gave all
those participating, a taste of the difficulties the blind and visually
impaired face when tackling the simple task of walking in public. All participants
wore blindfolds and agreed to be aided by a white stick and a helpful arm from
a Lions member. All members of the
parade made it safely along the route, though some said they felt unnerved all
the same. Paul Carr, Minister for the Emmanuel Church was surprised at the
effect the walk had had on him. Sue Hammond, Headmistress of Billericay School
was also stunned by the experience. Leaflets promoting SightFirst were handed
out as well as other literature. Redundant spectacles are willingly collected and
‘recycled’ by Billericay Lions Club through most Optometrists in the High
Street. All spectacles collected in this way are shipped to Lions Clubs around the World were promoting SightFirst, during their Lions Awareness Week. Over 950 Lions Clubs around the
It has long been a tradition of the Lions movement that avoidable blindness should be tackled in all countries of the world. Indeed, it was the Lions back in 1931 that introduced the White Cane to help and distinguish those with sight problems. Since then Lions around the World have raised an incredible £250 million just for their SightFirst Projects, as well as monies for their local communities.
Billericay Lions wish to thank all those who took part in their SightFirst Parade.