Lions clubs International has long been at the forefront of Youth related projects and this has always been a high priority in the Lions Club of Bridgend.
The Lions Young Ambassador Award (previously called Youth Award) is aimed at young people who are actively involved in the welfare of their community. It is open to young people aged 15 years or over but under 19 on March 1 of the relevant year.
The Lions Young Ambassador scheme acknowledges the work of young people working as volunteers and gives them the recognition they deserve, boosting their self esteem, their confidence in themselves and highlighting the charities and volunteer groups with which they are involved.
The Lions Young Ambassador was first organised in 1974 as the Lions Youth Award, and has grown in stature over the years. It has long been acknowledged as one of the foremost recognition schemes for young people and has enjoyed substantial sponsorship from some of the world's major corporations
Judging is aimed on the community work undertaken and starts at local level, proceeding through to regional and national finals.
The successful national candidate receives a bursary of £1,000 for their community work, a trophy and an invitation to attend the national Lions Youth Centre and two Lions Multiple District Conventions.
Each national finalist receives a bursary administered by their sponsoring Lions Club.
If you know of a young person who might qualify for this award who resides in the Bridgend or surrounding area then please let us know (use our Contact Us page to get in touch) and we will gladly let you have more information.
You may also like to visit the MD105 page which provides further information on the scheme - use this link - Lions MD105 site then click Projects/Youth/Young Ambassador
We were delighted that the Lions District Winner in 2005 was the entry from the Lions Club of Bridgend which was the work of Katie Griffiths from Bryntirion Comprehensive School. Katie's poster went forward to the National Final which was judged by the Countess of Wessex. To view Katie's winning poster click here Click here.
The Peace Poster contest was established in 1988 and offers young people the opportunity to think about World Peace.
Children aged 11 to 13 are invited to design and produce a poster depicting peace. Judging takes place initially at our Club and then Regional, National and finally International level.
Entry is via schools. Application packs have been sent to all schools in the Bridgend area.
If you are a teacher in the Bridgend and District area and would like further information, then please contact us.
We will also be pleased to speak to parents/guardians of possible entrants and let you have information to show to your child's school.
To view the excellent posters of recent international finalists Click Here
The Lions club of Bridgend sponsored a project organised by the Ogwr DASH Unit which involved three activities for the pupils in comprehensive schools aged 13 to 15.
The first was to design and write a leaflet for incoming children to the school encouraging them to avoid drugs.
The second was to develop a presentation on drugs with the winning video tape shown to pupils in the Bridgend County Borough Comprehensive schools.
The third was to design a badge depicting the avoid drugs message.
A successful competition with Rupert Moon in attendance produced three excellent winners.
The Lions Club of Bridgend funded the whole project which has been a great success in the areas where the leaflets have been distributed and the video tapes shown, to schools and youth groups.
New in 2004 was the Bridgend County Borough Individual Chess Championship for Schools. The event is sponsored by the Lions Club of Bridgend and run as a joint venture with Bridgend Chess Club. It is aimed at pupils from secondary schools.
The first tournament was held in November 2004 at Nolton Church Hall, Merthyrmawr Road, Bridgend and with the 2005 tournament having taken place on 12 November 2005 this is now established as an annual event.
We were delighted in 2005 that the Mayor of Bridgend County Borough agreed both to officially open the tournament and return at the end of the day to present the Certificates and Trophies.
The tournament was very well organised by the Bridgend Chess Club with all competitors playing 5 games of up to 50 minutes duration. Every effort was made to place together players of the same or similar expertise so that all players enjoyed a well balanced match.
The winner in 2004 was Perry Khanna from Fitzalan School in Cardiff. Second place went to his brother Larry Khanna who returned in 2005 to win the tournament. To see photographs of the event click here.
Congratulations to all the competitors and we hope to see them again next year. Any schools who wish to have further details should use our contact us page and we will be pleased to provide all the information you will need.