"Message in a Bottle" Scheme

This label is displayed on the refrigerator door and on the inside of the front door to help the emergency services locate the bottle containing the medical information.

The bottle itself is stored in the refrigerator door.

Some of the money raised by the Harpenden Lions fundraising activities finances a life saving project which helps frail, elderly and those living alone to store vital medical and personal information in such a way that it can be easily found by the emergency services.

The "Message in a Bottle" scheme was started by a police officer in Perth in Scotland and has been enthusiastically taken up by Lions and other clubs around the country.

People taking part fill in a short form detailing name, doctor, medication and other useful information. (See the form - PDF 359 KB.) The confidential information is stored in a plastic bottle in the fridge - a secure and easily-identifiable location. A label is also placed inside the front door of the house and on the fridge to draw the attention of emergency services to its existence.

The Harpenden Lions Club distributes the kits in cooperation with the emergency services. You can obtain a free kit from:

Your local pharmacy

Your doctor’s surgery

Harpenden Day Centre
Leyton Road
Harpenden
AL5 2HU

Tel: 01582 723500

The District Nurse

Town Hall,
Leyton Road
Harpenden
Hertfordshire
AL5 2LX

Tel 01582 768278

Or call Lions’ representative at 01582 768124 or e-mail miab@harpenden-lions.co.uk

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Senior Citizens' Party

Guests at the Senior Citizens' Party held in February 2007.

For millennium year the Lions clubs of District 105A (Herts, Beds, Bucks and North London) threw a big party for senior citizens in the district. The party, held in Harrow Leisure Centre, was a huge success and it is now repeated every February on a Sunday afternoon. And it gets better!

In 2007 Harpenden Club invited 50 local senior citizens, predominantly from Redbourn and Slip End, to the party. There were 800 guests who had been invited by 36 of the clubs in the District.

The guests at the mega party were treated to music from Luton Youth Jazz Band and to a nostalgia disco. A magician on a unicycle, dressed as a fairy, entertained throughout the afternoon. Plenty of sandwiches, cakes and tea were available.

Watch a video of the occasion (WMF - 3.9 MB).

Plans for February 2008 are already in hand. If you, or someone you know, would like to be added to Senior Citizens Party waiting list please phone 0845 833 7426 or e-mail: party@harpenden-lions.co.uk.

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Annual Carol Service at Sue Ryder Care, Stagenhoe

Harpenden Lions and friends, accompanied by members of the St. Albans City Band, entertain residents at Sue Ryder Care, Stagenhoe.

In the week preceding Christmas Harpenden Lions, accompanied by families and friends, have travelled to Sue Ryder Care, Stagenhoe, to sing carols for the patients. This tradition was established over 20 years ago.

The home, near St Paul's Walden, Hitchin, provides 24 hour holistic nursing care for residents with neurological disabilities such as Huntington's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, strokes etc. The caring is carried out in a comfortable and homely atmosphere. See www.suerydercare.org/stagenhoe

In recent years members of St Albans City Band have accompanied the Lions singers to give a rousing rendition of carols. The choir moves to different parts of the building to ensure that even those who cannot move from their beds can join in the Christmas cheer.

Traditionally the carols are followed with mince pies with the staff. In 2006 the celebration was enhanced by a donation of funds to Stagenhoe.

The singers enjoy the event - some say that it is the real start of Christmas.

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Other Activities

Harpenden Lions does more than raise money. The club assists in many other ways:

Transport for the handicapped and disabled:

• Britannia Club – evening club for the disabled.
• Salmon Club – swimming for the disabled.
• Furniture removal - individual cases as requested.
• Decorating - individual cases
• Provision of holidays for the blind – in conjunction with Great Yarmouth Lions Club
• Provision of holidays for the needy in association with Norfolk Broads Club).
• Provision of teaching literature to all local schools in conjunction with the Hertfordshire Education Authority.  (See Schools Support page.)
• Support for local youth organisations and students embarking on community aid schemes.
• Support for child education in Africa, Malawi and Gambia especially
• Help in providing special equipment such as wheelchairs in individual cases.
• Help at Stagenhoe Sue Ryder Home.
• Support for Phoenix Jumbulance – holidays for the disabled
• Co-operation with other Lions Clubs.

In addition the club is involved with contributions to many other areas:

• International disaster relief (Turkey, Mozambique, Orissa) in association with other clubs.
• Relief of blindness through Lions SightSavers.
• SightFirst programme, to conquer preventable and curable blindness.
• Lions’ programmes for the provision of water wells, predominantly in Africa

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