Lion receives prestigious award in honour of service

A long-standing member of the Frome Lions Club has been honoured with the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellowship award. 

Lion Mike Geake, who currently volunteers as the club’s public relations officer, was presented with the award, named after Melvin Jones, the founder of Lions Clubs International, to recognise outstanding members. 

He was presented with his award from retiring president Richard Phillips at the recent Frome Lions Club handover dinner. 

“This award acknowledges Lions who have contributed considerably to their own clubs and Lions Club internationally,” explained Mike. “It was quite an honour to receive this award, it’s not something you get every year.” 

Mike has received a pin, a commemorative plaque and a letter from the Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF). 

“I have been a Lion since 1992; in that time, I have been the president twice, and treasurer. In the 32 years I have done most of the roles,” says Mike.  

“Although the Lions Club is international, the vast amount of fundraising and helping people is in your own community. For example, the idea of our summer fete is to give families and those less fortunate a fun and free afternoon out. We also support the roller disco at the Cheese and Grain, which allows children, whose parents might be struggling with money, to go in there and have fun for free. 

“I was in Frome a couple of years before I joined the Lions. It’s predominantly about helping the local society at all different levels and you get a lot out of it yourself by being a part of the various events.” 

The Melvin Jones Fellowship programme recognises donations to the Lions Club International Foundation. 

Lions Clubs International Foundation’s motto is: ‘Lions helping Lions serve the world.’ Donations provide funding in the form of grants to financially assist Lions districts with large-scale humanitarian projects that are too expensive and costly for Lions to finance on their own. The foundation aids Lions in making a greater impact in their local communities, as well as around the world. 

Districts, clubs, and individuals can donate to LCIF through the Melvin Jones programme but only an individual can receive the recognition. The Frome Lions club donated to LCIF to acknowledge Lion Mike’s involvement with Lions Clubs International at both club and district level.