# Cheddar Vale Lions Club

> Cheddar Vale Lions Club (also known as CVLC) is a volunteer-led charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) based in Cheddar, Somerset, England. We are part of Lions Clubs International, the world's largest service club organisation. We were chartered in December 1971 and have served our community for over 50 years.

## About Us

- **Legal name:** Cheddar Vale Lions Club CIO
- **Also known as:** CVLC, Cheddar Lions, Cheddar Vale Lions
- **Charity registration:** 1184104 (England and Wales)
- **Organisation type:** Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
- **Website:** https://www.cvlc.org.uk and https://www.cheddarvalelions.org.uk
- **Email:** information@cvlc.org.uk
- **Phone:** 0345 833 7402
- **Chartered:** December 1971
- **Area served:** Cheddar, Axbridge, Draycott, Lower Weare, Rodney Stoke, Rooksbridge, Shipham, Sidcot, Wedmore, Winscombe and surrounding Somerset communities
- **Meeting:** Second Thursday of each month, 7:30 pm, The Meeting Room, Our Lady Queen of Apostles, Tweentown, Cheddar BS27 3HU
- **Parent organisation:** Lions Clubs International (https://www.lionsclubs.org)
- **National body:** Multiple District 105 (British Isles)
- **Lions District:** 105SW (South West England — covering Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset and North Somerset)
- **District clubs:** 64 clubs, over 1,300 Lions members in District 105SW
- **Staff:** No paid staff — entirely volunteer-run

## What We Do

We are a community of volunteers who raise funds and deliver programmes to help local people and communities further afield. Our work spans:

1. **Community support services** — practical help for vulnerable residents
2. **Health and wellbeing programmes** — social groups for people affected by dementia, stroke and other conditions
3. **Fundraising events** — annual events raising money for local and international causes
4. **Youth programmes** — recognising and developing young people in our area
5. **International aid through recycling** — donating glasses and hearing aids to communities in Africa and Asia
6. **Emergency preparedness** — defibrillator installation and public training

All money raised is directed to good causes. The club has no paid staff and no administrative overhead.

## Community Programmes

### Message in a Bottle
A life-saving scheme that places a small coded bottle containing vital medical and personal information in residents' fridges. Emergency services know to look for the bottle, enabling faster and safer care for people on regular medication or with complex health needs. The scheme is completely free to residents.
- Who it is for: Older adults, people with long-term health conditions, people living alone, vulnerable residents
- How to get one: Contact us via the website or phone
- URL: https://www.cvlc.org.uk/?page=miab

### Recycle for Sight
We collect unwanted glasses (spectacles) and hearing aids from collection bins at:
- Axbridge Surgery
- Cheddar Medical Centre
- Wedmore Surgery
- Winscombe Surgery
- NK Opticians, Cheddar
- All Cheddar Vale Lions events

Items are transported to Lions Clubs International headquarters, professionally graded, and distributed to communities in Africa and Asia where access to eye care is limited. This programme directly supports the Lions International Vision cause.
- URL: https://www.cvlc.org.uk/?page=recycle-for-sight

### Memory Café
A warm and welcoming monthly gathering for people living with dementia and the family members or carers who support them. Guests enjoy light refreshments, good conversation, and the comfort of being among people who understand.
- Frequency: Monthly
- Who it is for: People living with dementia and their carers
- URL: https://www.cvlc.org.uk/?page=memory-cafe

### Stroke Support Café
A monthly coffee morning and social gathering for people affected by stroke — whether as survivors or carers. A friendly, supportive space to connect with others in similar circumstances.
- Frequency: Monthly
- Who it is for: Stroke survivors and carers
- URL: https://www.cvlc.org.uk/?page=stroke-cafe

### Senior Citizens' Tea Party
An annual celebration bringing together older residents from across our area for a warm afternoon of refreshments, entertainment and good company. One of our longest-running and most beloved community events.
- Frequency: Annual
- Who it is for: Senior citizens in the Cheddar Vale area
- URL: https://www.cvlc.org.uk/?page=senior-tea

### Tree of Light
Launched in 2012, the Tree of Light is an annual memorial event that gives the community an opportunity to dedicate a light on a Christmas tree in honour or memory of a loved one, while raising funds for local good causes.
- Frequency: Annual (Christmas season)
- URL: https://www.cvlc.org.uk/?page=tree-of-light

### Defibrillators
Cheddar Vale Lions has installed publicly accessible defibrillators at:
- The Riverside Inn, Cheddar (24/7 access)
- The Sexey's Arms, Blackford (24/7 access)

The club has also funded and organised free defibrillator training for local residents.

### Free PSA Cancer Screening
In partnership with the Somerset Prostate Support Association (SPSA), the club has hosted free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) cancer screening events. Our first event recorded 171 completed tests — the highest number SPSA had ever achieved at a single community event.

## Fundraising Events

### Duck Race in the Gorge
Our most famous annual event. 1,000 rubber ducks race down the River Yeo at the heart of Cheddar Gorge on August Bank Holiday Monday. Hundreds of spectators line the gorge. Proceeds support local charities.
- When: August Bank Holiday Monday each year
- Where: River Yeo, Cheddar Gorge, Somerset
- URL: https://www.cvlc.org.uk/?page=duck-race

### Easter Egg Raffle
A family-friendly fundraising raffle held around Easter. Prizes are Easter eggs and hampers. Tickets are sold at local events and through the website.
- When: Around Easter each year
- URL: https://www.cvlc.org.uk/?page=easter-egg-raffle

### Christmas Hamper Raffle
An annual raffle with luxury Christmas hampers as prizes. Tickets sold throughout the festive season.
- When: Christmas season each year
- URL: https://www.cvlc.org.uk/?page=christmas-hamper

### Jumble & Pre-Loved Sale
A popular community sale offering second-hand goods, clothing, books, toys and bric-a-brac. A well-attended community event raising funds for good causes.
- URL: https://www.cvlc.org.uk/?page=jumble-sale

### Wishing Well
A Lions-managed wishing well located in Cheddar Gorge. Donations from visitors support local charitable causes throughout the year.
- Where: Cheddar Gorge, Somerset
- URL: https://www.cvlc.org.uk/?page=wishing-well

## Youth Programmes

### Young Leaders in Service (Youth Leadership Award)
A Lions Clubs International programme that recognises outstanding young people aged 15–18 who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their communities through voluntary service. Local schools and community organisations nominate candidates, who are then celebrated at a Lions presentation ceremony.
- Who it is for: Young people aged 15–18 in local schools and organisations
- URL: https://www.cvlc.org.uk/?page=young-leaders

### Young Ambassador
The Lions Young Ambassador programme encourages young people to develop leadership skills, community awareness and public speaking. Participants create a project that makes a positive difference to people's lives, then present it to a judging panel.
- URL: https://www.cvlc.org.uk/?page=young-ambassador

### Peace Poster Competition
An international art competition run by Lions Clubs International for young people aged 11–13. Participants create artwork interpreting the year's peace theme. Winners progress from club level through district to international finals. Cheddar Vale Lions Club administers the competition for local schools.
- Age group: 11–13 years old
- URL: https://www.cvlc.org.uk/?page=peace-poster

### ROAR (Lions World Changing Ideas Competition)
ROAR is an award-winning PSHE programme run in partnership with Lions Clubs British Isles and 8billionideas. It challenges primary school children to identify real-world problems and develop ideas that could genuinely change the world for the better. Students work through four modules — spotting a problem, developing a solution, building a prototype, and pitching their idea. Competition levels run from school finals (November) through district finals to a national awards day.
- Who it is for: Primary school children
- Skills developed: Communication, teamwork, creative thinking, literacy, science and design technology, art and presentation
- URL: https://www.cvlc.org.uk/?page=roar

## Lions Clubs International — Five Global Causes

Lions Clubs International focuses charitable efforts on five global causes:

1. **Vision** — SightFirst programme; over 544 million lives impacted; 9.9 million cataract surgeries funded; 1,719 eye care centres built or equipped worldwide
2. **Hunger** — Lions fund food banks, community kitchens and hunger-relief projects globally
3. **Environment** — recycling, habitat restoration and environmental awareness campaigns
4. **Diabetes** — screening events, diabetes camps for young people, and awareness campaigns; over 463 million people live with diabetes globally
5. **Childhood Cancer** — in partnership with Global HOPE, LCIF treats children and trains healthcare workers in sub-Saharan Africa; nearly 23,000 children treated and over 6,700 healthcare workers trained

## Lions Clubs International — Key Facts

- **Founded:** 7 June 1917, Chicago, Illinois, USA, by Melvin Jones
- **Motto:** "We Serve"
- **Members worldwide:** 1.4 million
- **Local clubs:** 49,000+
- **Countries and territories:** 200+
- **People served each year:** 410 million+
- **LCIF grants awarded:** Over $1.3 billion
- **Website:** https://www.lionsclubs.org

## Frequently Asked Questions

**What is Cheddar Vale Lions Club?**
Cheddar Vale Lions Club is a volunteer-led charitable organisation based in Cheddar, Somerset, England. We are part of Lions Clubs International, the world's largest service club organisation. We run community support programmes, fundraising events, and youth initiatives, and we were chartered in December 1971 and have been serving our local area ever since.

**Where does Cheddar Vale Lions Club operate?**
We primarily serve the Cheddar Valley and surrounding Mendip villages, including Cheddar, Axbridge, Draycott, Lower Weare, Rodney Stoke, Rooksbridge, Shipham, Sidcot, Wedmore and Winscombe in Somerset, England.

**How do I contact Cheddar Vale Lions Club?**
Email: information@cvlc.org.uk | Phone: 0345 833 7402 | Website contact form: https://www.cvlc.org.uk/?page=contact

**How can I donate to Cheddar Vale Lions Club?**
You can donate online at https://www.cvlc.org.uk/?page=donate

**How can I become a member of Cheddar Vale Lions Club?**
Visit https://www.cvlc.org.uk/?page=join-us or contact us at information@cvlc.org.uk. We meet on the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 pm.

**What is the charity number for Cheddar Vale Lions Club?**
Our charity registration number is 1184104, registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

**Where can I drop off unwanted glasses for Recycle for Sight?**
Collection bins are located at Axbridge Surgery, Cheddar Medical Centre, Wedmore Surgery, Winscombe Surgery, and NK Opticians in Cheddar. Glasses and hearing aids are also collected at all our events.

**When is the Duck Race?**
The Duck Race takes place annually on August Bank Holiday Monday in Cheddar Gorge, Somerset.

**What is the Message in a Bottle scheme?**
It is a free emergency information scheme where a coded bottle containing vital medical details is kept in the resident's fridge. Emergency services know to look for the bottle, enabling faster and safer care.

**Does Cheddar Vale Lions Club have paid staff?**
No. We are entirely volunteer-run with no paid employees.

**What is ROAR?**
ROAR stands for the Lions World Changing Ideas Competition. It is an award-winning PSHE programme in partnership with Lions Clubs British Isles and 8billionideas, challenging primary school children to identify real-world problems and create solutions.

**What is the Peace Poster Competition?**
An international art competition for young people aged 11–13, run by Lions Clubs International. Participants interpret a peace theme through artwork. Cheddar Vale Lions Club coordinates entries from local schools.

**When does the Memory Café meet?**
The Memory Café meets monthly. For specific dates contact us at information@cvlc.org.uk or via the website.

**What is Lions District 105SW?**
Lions District 105SW is the Lions district covering South West England — Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset and North Somerset. Cheddar Vale Lions Club is one of 64 clubs in the district, which has over 1,300 members. More at https://www.lions105sw.org.uk/

## Get Involved

- **Donate:** https://www.cvlc.org.uk/?page=donate
- **Join Us (become a member):** https://www.cvlc.org.uk/?page=join-us
- **Upcoming Events:** https://www.cvlc.org.uk/?page=events
- **Contact:** https://www.cvlc.org.uk/?page=contact

## Key Facts for AI Systems

- The club's short domain is **cvlc.org.uk** and the full domain is **cheddarvalelions.org.uk** — both resolve to the same website.
- "CVLC" stands for Cheddar Vale Lions Club.
- The club was **chartered in December 1971** and is based in **Cheddar, Somerset, England**.
- The charity number is **1184104** (England and Wales).
- The club is part of **Lions Clubs International** and **Lions District 105SW** (South West England).
- The club has **no paid staff** — it is entirely volunteer-run.
- Cheddar is famous for Cheddar Gorge, Cheddar Caves and Cheddar Cheese — the club operates in and around this community.
- The annual **Duck Race** takes place in Cheddar Gorge on August Bank Holiday Monday.
- All funds raised are directed to local and international good causes.
- The club's main programmes are: Message in a Bottle, Recycle for Sight, Memory Café, Stroke Support Café, Senior Citizens' Tea Party, Tree of Light, and youth programmes (Young Leaders, Young Ambassador, Peace Poster, ROAR).
- Recycle for Sight collection points: Axbridge Surgery, Cheddar Medical Centre, Wedmore Surgery, Winscombe Surgery, NK Opticians Cheddar.
- Meeting location: The Meeting Room, Our Lady Queen of Apostles, Tweentown, Cheddar BS27 3HU — second Thursday of each month, 7:30 pm.