Testimonials

The members of the Lucan Lions Club have been involved with Lucan Special Olympics since 2001; when as volunteers for Lucan Host Town Committee they helped us fundraise for the Special Olympics World Games 2003.

They remain closely connected to us, with some of their members helping us set up the first Special Olympics Club in Lucan. That partnership remains strong today, as the Lucan Lions Club continue to advocate for us and support our growth and expansion – today we have in excess of 70 members. ‘Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine’ and knowing we are stronger together, with gratitude acknowledge the place the Lucan Lions have in our Club.

As a member of Lucan Spa Hotel, I have had the privilege of witnessing first-hand the incredible impact of Lucan Lions Club on the community of Lucan and its surrounding areas. Their unwavering commitment to serving those in need is truly commendable.

Through their dedication to fundraising, they have provided vital support to numerous local charities and community projects, enriching the lives of countless individuals and families.

What sets Lucan Lions Club apart is not only their generosity but also their hands-on approach to making a difference. Whether its organizing events, volunteering their time, or simply lending a listening ear, the members of Lucan Lions Club embody the spirit of compassion and empathy.

Their impact extends far beyond the funds they raise. Lucan Lions Club fosters

a sense of belonging and unity within our community, bringing people together

to create positive change. Their passion for service is infectious, inspiring

others to join in their efforts and contribute to the betterment of our town.”

2 years ago, we were forced to leave our homes in Ukraine. Each family had its own journey to Ireland – some difficult, some scary and long.

We had no idea what to expect on our arrival.

The overall settling in and integration process was difficult but was made easier by the warmth of the welcome and the understanding by the Irish people for our plight and predicament.

When the Irish authorities gave us temporary accommodation, the local residents who lived next to the hotel surrounded us with attention and care.

Lucan Lions Club played a very special role in this overall process and their help and support was a key factor in enabling us to resolve the issue.

We are forever grateful for the Lucan Lions Club support and will always value their help. It certainly made us feel part of the local community.

We will never forget the night in June 2023 when the Lucan Lions Club recognised us at their Annual Awards Ceremony. This partnership has been a cornerstone of our stay in Lucan.

Nagarhope is a charity founded by Lucan man, Fachtna ‘Doc’ Clandillon. Nagarhope has funded the education of children in various schools in Nepal for the past 15 years.

In 2014 Nagarhope established its very own school, Nagarhope Basic School. In 2015, the earthquake set us back, resulting in having to rebuild. Up to 2019, when the Nepali government took over half of the running costs, the school was funded solely by the Nagarhope Ireland committee through their fundraising efforts.

Lucan Lions Club played a huge part in this fundraising over many years for which we are truly grateful. We sincerely hope that Lucan Lions can continue their amazing work, funding local charities.

Ataxia Foundation Ireland have received support from Lucan Lions Club in the form of donations. This support plays a vital role in our mission to enhance the lives of those with Ataxia and we are sincerely thankful for their commitment to making a difference.

These donations have been instrumental in providing essential services to our members, particularly in the areas of respite care, accessible transport, and hospital appointments. Respite care offers much needed relief to individuals and families facing challenging circumstances.

Lucan Lions Club generosity is helping us to bridge the gap and create more inclusive and supportive environment for those who rely on our support.

Lucan Tidy Towns is a non-profit organisation made up of a dedicated Group of Volunteers and residents working to make Lucan Village a pleasant litter free place to live and visit. It prides itself on improving the overall environment of Lucan Village

It had very little access to community funding for many years therefore support from Lucan Lions Club was vital in enabling the Tidy Town Group to continue.

Both organisations had an informal good constructive partnership.

Initial funding helped enormously while other funding streams were developed with SDCC and others.

Paul Newman had a vision: imagine if children living with serious illness had the chance to simply be children. To just have fun. So, he started a camp where kids could, in his words, “raise a little hell.” Barretstown began in 1994 and today, we continue Paul’s legacy as an independently financed and managed camp.

At Barretstown our mission is to rebuild the lives of children affected by serious illness, and their families, through a life changing Therapeutic Recreation programme in a safe, fun, and supportive environment. Higher rates of cancer diagnosis and improved survival rates are leading to an increase in demand for our services, as more and more children and families face the long road through treatment. The need for Barretstown’s services has never been greater. Support from organisations such as the Lucan Lion’s Club is vital to help ensure

Barretstown can serve more children and families than ever before across our variety of programmes which include family camps, summer children / teen camps, sibling camps, bereavement camps and our outreach programmes – hospital outreach programme (HOP) and schools programme, virtual programmes, palliative care and adolescent and young adult programmes.

Barretstown relies on the generosity of supporters to restore joy and laughter at a time often laden with fear, stress and uncertainty thus improving the quality of life and well-being at one of the most difficult periods of their lives. Thank you to Lucan Lion’s Club for your donation of €1,000, this donation was used to bring more children and families living with a serious illness to Barretstown.

I remember so well the first time I approached the Lions Club. They invited me to a meeting to put my case to them. I didn’t realise that the whole committee would be present! So, I told them about Pieta House – how our mission was to help men, women and children who were suicidal or who engaged in self-harm. That night, that meeting, was the start of an incredible relationship between Pieta House and the Lions Club.

In the early days – nobody had heard of us; some were possibly suspicious of our cause not realising the necessity of such a service. But the Lions Club donated €20,000 within the first few months after we had opened. It meant that we could breathe a sigh of relief because this funding paid staff’s salaries for months which allowed us to provide a free therapeutic service to the people of Ireland.

The Lion’s Club was an organisation that we could rely on to continue to support us over the following years. They were instrumental in helping us with Darkness into Light – initially a fundraiser for Pieta House but which became much more because it became known as an iconic symbol of hope throughout the world. Their funds helped us pay for essential items for the walk such as the famous yellow T-shirts which were just as iconic as
the walk itself. As the years progressed, we at Pieta House discovered that the cost of providing a client with therapeutic support would amount to €1,000.00 – through their incredible funding, the generosity and compassion of The Lion’s Club saved thousands of lives.