"Keep up the good work," Bexhill Lions told

The president of Bexhill Lions Club, Lion David Burstow, used his membership badge as a vehicle to take 90 members and guests on a tour of the achievements of the local club and the world-wide movement.

He was proposing the toast to Lions Clubs International and District 105SE at the Bexhill club's 37th annual Charter Night dinner at the Cooden Beach Hotel.

He told how since receiving his membership badge in 1999 it had unlocked doors for him at home and abroad.

"It is only a little piece of metal but I have learned that it has magical powers and it has taken me on an amazing journey."

The international movement could take pride in its history and its achievements since its foundation in 1921, he said.

The world was now a very different place. But there had always been the need to care for those less fortunate.

Until he agreed to wear Lionism's little badge he had never truly understood the meaning of the world "international."

It had taken him to Lions meetings throughout Britain and in France and Germany.

It had brought him into contact with Lions from as far afield as South Africa, Tenerife and the Ukraine, the USA, Ski Lanka and Iceland '“ where he had visited District 109.

One per cent of the Icelandic population belonged to Lions. The same proportion locally would means that District 105SE would have half a million members, he told the District Governor, Lion Jacquie Prebble.

The badge brought instant rapport and friendship with a worldwide community sharing similar ideals. Locally, he enjoyed the friendship of 20 Lions friends who in the past 12 months, mainly under presidency of his predecessor Lion Freddie Thornes had raised more than 10,000 for others.

Members had taken the club's popular swing-boats in support of fetes and fairs. Father Christmas and his sleigh had toured the streets to the delight of children.

Lion Freddie had been telling schoolchildren of the movements' work to bring clean water and sanitation to Third World countries.

The club had promoted world piece through its poster competition for schoolchildren.

It continued to collect used spectacles for use in Third World countries and was now also collecting used hearing aids.

Lion Alan Mitchinson, who died in July, had served the movement loyally for 22 years, been the Bexhill club's president in 1999-2000 and had personally collected 36,000 pairs of spectacles.

District Governor Jacquie said it was always a privilege to respond to the toast to Lions Clubs International because it gave many non-Lions at Charter Nights the opportunity to hear about the bigger picture of Lions across the world.

The International Convention in Bangkok had been shared by 25,000 Lions. Some 10,000 had sat down for lunch one day, their differing foods illustrating how really worldwide the movement is.

"In my class at 'school', I worked with 10 other nationalities. My two partners were from Holland and Bulgaria. We exchanged thoughts and ideas on the way forward for Lions.

"Three more friends came from New Zealand, Canada and Malaysia.

"Vast knowledge from all over the world...

"All of us had been working in our own countries on Campaign Sight First II.

"Single Lions Clubs can achieve, but working together in Zones we achieve much more.

"Now think of Lions working in 200 different geographical locations.

"Through the Sight First campaigns, 20 million cataract operations have already been provided. These are miracles of service Lions have performed.

"With this in mind, Moorfields Eye Hospital joined in partnership with Lions to establish an eye hospital in Korle Bu, Ghana. Working together we can achieve more. In August, 17 clubs in 105SE sent 5,700 to this project.

"Lions Clubs International Foundation helps out with floods, earthquakes, cyclones and hurricanes. We in 105SE have just filled a truck with aid to Gomel in Belarus."

She added: "Lions work across borders regardless of beliefs, colour or language. Keep up the good work, Bexhill. We are proud of you. And remember, 'every Lion counts.'"

Proposing the toast to the ladies and guests, club first vice president Lion Avril Earnshaw welcomed members of the Brighton, Battle and Villages, Eastbourne, Hastings, Rye and Uckfield clubs.

In reply, Observer deputy editor John Dowling took the opportunity to thank Bexhill Lions for their hospitality at many Charter Night dinners since their formation and for their loyal support over many years for the annual garden party held by the League of Friends of Bexhill Hospital.