National and International Projects
Whilst 85% of the money we collect is donated locally the balance is used to support national and international projects funded by Lion Clubs. These are some of the projects.
LIBRA
This stands for Lions International Blood Research Appeal, see www.libralionscharity.org.
It was initiated in 1976 when the then South East District Governor, Ian Scott Mackenzie, was told of an urgent need for funding for the Haematology Unit at Kings College Hospital. The Unit carries out invaluable research and treatment on haemophilia, leukaemia and sickle cell disease. Fund raising began, essential equipment was purchased, a Charitable Trust was set up and a close relationship, which still exists today, developed between the Lions of District 105SE and the Haematology Unit.
Now the Blood Research team at Kings College Hospital is respected throughout the world for the progress it has achieved in providing solutions to blood related diseases. The Lion Clubs in the South East continue to support the LIBRA unit with funds because it is their very own initiative and so many lives are saved each day as a result of the work.
Korle Bu
This is a unique venture between Moorfield Eye Hospital and Lions Clubs of UK and Ireland to build a teaching hospital in Korle Bu, Ghana. At the time there was very limited advanced eye care in that part of Africa and the aim was to build a unit that not only treated patients with eye problems but became a teaching centre of excellence. It has taken two years to complete the project but the unit opened at the end of 2015.
